Some people have long periods with few or no symptoms. Others feel it for months at a time in an uptick of disease activity called a flare. 
Most people have persistent problems with episodes of worsening disease. New and earlier treatment is changing the overall picture, though. More people are having low disease activity or even remission.

RA Symptoms in Your Joints

RA almost always affects your joints. It may take a few weeks or months for the first signs to show. The inflammation it causes results in classic symptoms like:
  • Stiffness. The joint is harder to use and doesn't move as well as it should. It’s especially common in the morning.It takes people with Rheumatoid arthritis more than an hour (sometimes several hours) before their joints feel loose.
  • Swelling. Fluid in the joint makes it puffy and tender.
  • Pain. inflammation inside a joint makes it hurt whether you’re moving it or not. Over time, it causes damage and pain. 
  • Redness and warmth. The joints may be warmer and show color changes related to the inflammation.

What Joints Does RA Affect?

RA usually starts in the hands, but it can affect any joint.
If you have RA, you’ll notice a symmetrical pattern. It shows up in the same joints on both sides of your body, like both wrists or both hips.
It doesn’t happen often, but RA can also affect a joint in your voice box. It can make your voice hoarse.

Whole-Body Symptoms

symptoms can go beyond your joints. You could also feel:
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches
  • Poor appetite
  • Bad all over (your doctor may call this malaise)
  • Depression
  • anemia, or a lack of healthy red blood cells.
Talk to your doctor if you think you have any of the above symptoms.