You know you have RA when...

By Editorial Team

Last updated: September 2022

There are RA symptoms that we experience every day that aren’t part of a doctor’s work-up. Here's what you had to say about the reality of daily life with RA. Curious to see all the responses? You can view the original article here.

Lesser known signs you have RA

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You Know You Have RA When...

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You Know You Have RA When...

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scottishyankee
Crawling to bed is faster and less painful than walking to bed.
Grandma
Finding a sleeping position that is the most comfortable and dreading getting out of bed in the morning because you know it will hurt.
jbrancadora
People in public ask you if you broke your ankle and you just say, no...it's RA......
harrjohn
One night while alone, the side of hip hurting and not working, had to use restroom. Beside getting off/on couch was near impossible, finally got to floor and Army crawled myself to rest room pulled up on toilets sidebar. Got it all in toilet, amazingly.
1. Lori Foster Admin
 How frustrating, <inline-mention username="harrjohn" user-id="3172834"/>. That was probably somewhat scary as well. I hope you never have to go through something like that again. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
harrjohn
I mention this to Provider Dr and she got me a walker with seat to keep close, during flares now.
1. Lori Foster Admin
 That is a fantastic idea, <inline-mention username="harrjohn" user-id="3172834"/>. It must give you a sense of security just to have it nearby in case you need it. - Lori (Team Member)
CommunityMember3364
You drop stuff all the time 
1. Richard Faust Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="CommunityMember3364" user-id="5840061"/>. Losing grip and other hand issues are a problem for many in the community. Sorry you have to deal with this. For a humorous, but all too real take on RA and the hands thought you might be interested in Daniel's article on dealing with hands that hate him: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/hand-weakness' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/hand-weakness</a>. In addition, here is our contributor Carla writing on grip issues: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/im-losing-my-grip' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/im-losing-my-grip</a>. Have you found anything to help? Wishing you the best. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
2. cyd
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember3364" user-id="5840061"/> my daughter won’t let me carry my infant granddaughter; I can hold the baby of course, but I’m not allowed to carry her because my daughter is afraid I might drop her or fall & take the baby down with me. In all fairness, I was allowed to carry her up until she was about 6-7 months old at which time she weighed over 20 pounds. And though I have never admitted it, I was actually kinda glad because that little lady was SO VERY heavy!
Littlebitafaith
I am suffering from the pads on the bottom of my feet, just below my toes being extremely swolllen and painful. Is this caused by RA? I have RA , along with multiple autoimmune diseases to include Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Sjorgens, Hashimotos Thyroid Disease, etc.
1. Lori Foster Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="Littlebitafaith" user-id="3198041"/>. That sounds awfully painful. It is possible that your pain and swelling is caused by RA, but you should rule out other causes as well. Some people lose the fat on the bottoms of their feet due to RA. Have you noticed whether you have less padding there than you used to? If you haven't already, I would make an appointment with both your rheumatologist and a podiatrist. Both perspectives can be very helpful. I hope you get some definitive answers and some relief soon. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
AileenS
You know you have RA when it cost twice as much to remodel your kitchen because of all of the modified features and appliances needed to make it a working kitchen for me
1. AileenS
 <inline-mention username="Lori Foster" user-id="4585696"/> yes, a few things. A microwave oven drawer, French door wall oven at counter height and pull out shelves, pantry and pull down upper cabinet shelves
2. christine.laaksonen Admin
 <inline-mention username="AileenS" user-id="3113493"/> those are all such great ideas for modification. Although I had heard of some of the ones you listed, the french door wall oven was a new one. Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you enjoy your new kitchen! -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)