Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can have many symptoms, with the most common being stiff, painful joints and fatigue.
But this disease causes inflammation in many body parts, so you may have symptoms that you don’t realize are related to RA. Some are signs of serious complications that put your organs, or even your life, at risk.
If you have any of these symptoms, don’t try to deal with them on your own. Call your doctor right away.
Broken Bones
Both RA and medications to treat it, such as steroids, can weaken your bones. You’re more likely to break a bone if you fall. Exercise, especially weight-bearing activities such as walking, helps keep your bones strong. Learn about different types of exercises that are easy on your joints.
Chest Pain
RA makes you more likely to get heart disease. Over time, RA can cause plaque to build up in your arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. This can lead to a heart attack. Chest pain is a common symptom of a heart attack.
RA is a possible cause of a painful heart problem called pericarditis. That’s when thin layers of tissue around your heart get inflamed. You may feel severe chest pain that’s easy to mistake for a heart attack.
Even though your chest pain may not be a heart attack, if you have it, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. Read more on heart problems and other causes of chest pain.
Dryness
People with RA could get another autoimmune condition called Sjögren’s syndrome. It often leads to dry mouth, nose, eyes, vagina, or skin. Your lips or tongue may dry out, crack, and get infected. Find out more about Sjögren's syndrome.
Eye Problems
It’s rare, but RA can cause inflammation in the white part of your eye, called the sclera. The symptoms are mostly redness and eye pain. You might also have blurry vision.
RA sometimes causes dry eyes, making you more likely to get an eye infection. If you notice these signs, see your doctor. Get more information about dry eyes with immune disorders.
Fever
This can be a sign of infection. While they ease joint pain and swelling, RA medications such as biologics and steroids slow down your immune system. This makes it harder for you to fight off infections such as the flu. Meanwhile, RA itself also wears down your immune system.
Mild fever is also a sign of an RA flare. That’s when inflammation gets out of control. If it gets too high, your doctor will check for infection. Learn how to manage RA flares.
Hearing Loss
RA might slightly raise your risk for hearing loss. This may be because the immune system might not just attack the joints; it could attack the inner ear, too.
Plus, some medications to treat it can cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears). This can be a side effect of treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Read more on the side effects of RA drugs and how to manage them.
Mood Changes
RA is tied to depression, anxiety, and other mood problems. That’s because the disease causes pain, fatigue, and stiffness that make it harder to do the things you enjoy. Depression and anxiety could also come from inflammation.
Some people with RA get fibromyalgia. This illness causes muscle pain and often leads to depression and anxiety. Stress makes all of your symptoms worse.
If your mood changes seem to take over your life, talk to your doctor. Depression and anxiety can become serious if you don’t treat them. Get tips on how to manage depression that comes with RA.
Numbness or Tingling
RA sometimes affects the small nerves in your hands or feet, causing numbness or a "pins-and-needles" feeling.
If these tiny blood vessels in your hands or feet shut down, your fingers or toes may feel cold or numb. They could even change color when it’s cold outside and look white, red, or blue.
Rheumatoid vasculitis, which affects blood vessels, can also cause numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in your hands or feet due to damaged nerves. If your hands or feet are so numb that they drop or go limp when you try to raise them, see your doctor right away.
Numbness and tingling are side effects of biologics, too. Find out more information about biologics for RA.
Stomach Pain or Indigestion
RA and medicines used to treat it are linked to mouth and stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, acid reflux, diarrhea, and constipation. Painful diverticulitis (inflamed pouches in your gastrointestinal tract) and colitis (an inflamed colon) are also possible if you have RA.
Plus, RA drugs such as NSAIDs often cause ulcers or an upset stomach.
In rare cases, stomach pain could be a sign of a complication called rheumatoid vasculitis — when inflammation spreads to your blood vessels. Other symptoms of vasculitis include weight loss and lack of appetite. This is a serious condition, so see a doctor right away. Learn more about vasculitis symptoms and types.
Trouble Breathing
If you have a hard time getting your breath and can’t figure out why, RA might be to blame. Some people with the disease, especially men who smoke or used to smoke, are more likely to get serious lung problems.
RA inflammation can cause scar tissue to form in your lungs, leading to chronic cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and weakness.
See your doctor right away if you have unusual breathing problems or a cough that won’t go away. Read more on breathing problems and other RA complications.
Seeing a Doctor About Unusual Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Talk to your doctor if you experience these or any other unusual symptoms. On your own, it can be hard to tell if they’re related to RA, but doctors can run tests to find out. Whether or not RA is involved, they can find ways to help you treat the symptoms and find relief. They also can refer you to a specialist who can offer expert advice and treatment.
Takeaways
RA can affect your body in many different ways, many of which may be surprising. Talk with your doctor about any new or unusual symptoms. They can help you figure out if they’re related to RA and find the best way to treat them.
Unusual Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis: FAQs
What is the biggest side effect of prednisone?
Common side effects of prednisone include dizziness, headache, irritability, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, and weight gain. Call your doctor right away if you notice these or other side effects.
What are the early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in the feet?
You may notice soreness, warmth, or swelling in your foot joint. You might also have corns and calluses as well as circulation or nerve problems in your feet.
What are some of the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in hands?
RA can cause unstable joints in the hands, along with a creaking sound during movement, swelling and inflammation, and inability to bend or straighten the fingers.
Can arthritis cause numbness?
RA can lead to neuropathy, which can cause numbness.
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause headaches?
Many people with RA experience migraines, although more research is needed to understand the connection.
