9 Unusual Symptoms That Could Be Rheumatoid Arthritis

Joint pain is the hallmark symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, but this disease can attack healthy tissue throughout the body, in places where you may not expect it. Symptoms that may seem weird or unusual to you could be signs of RA. RA symptoms and their severity vary from person to person and may stop for a period, only to return later.

Here are several lesser-known — but sometimes serious — symptoms that can come with rheumatoid arthritis.

1. Bruising Easily

2. Allover Weakness or Fatigue

In both ACD and iron-deficiency anemia, there are low levels of iron circulating in the blood. In ACD, however, blood iron levels are low even though stored iron levels are normal or high, according to the NIH. This occurs because inflammatory conditions like RA interfere with the way the body uses stored iron and iron from diet.

Your doctor can order a complete blood count to determine whether you have ACD. Typically, doctors will focus on treating the chronic illness that’s causing ACD. For people with ACD caused by RA, that means treating the underlying inflammation, possibly with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

3. Skin Conditions

RA can even affect your skin. People with RA may develop rheumatoid nodules — lumps of tissue under the skin. These are local sites of inflammation, typically on the elbows, hands, and feet. While rheumatoid nodules have affected up to 30 percent of people with RA in the past, the prevalence appears to be decreasing due to earlier and more aggressive treatment of RA.

4. Itchy and Dry Eyes

"Start with over-the-counter lubricating ones, but if these don't help, ask your ophthalmologist about a prescription for immunosuppressive eye drops like Restasis (cyclosporine)," says Jonathan Greer, MD, a rheumatologist with Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates of Palm Beach in Florida.

5. Sharp Chest Pain

RA inflammation can cause chest pain that isn’t related to your heart or cardiovascular system. Irritation of the costosternal joints — those that connect your ribs to your breastbone — can be very painful, and because it’s common to think of a heart attack when chest pain is present, it can be a scary experience. But this kind of pain is not the result of a heart condition. It’s called costochondritis, being related to joint pain, rather than cardiac problems. Still, chest pain in RA needs medical attention. Doctors diagnose costochondritis with a thorough physical exam and rule out any other causes of chest pain.

Once chest pain is diagnosed as costochondritis, the recommended treatment is usually to take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

An ice pack or a heating pad may relieve symptoms. And physical therapy might provide additional pain relief. Also, avoid any activities or movements that strain the chest area and increase your pain.

6. Soreness in Your Ankles and Feet

RA can cause problems in the ankle and foot, including pain, sore joints, redness, swelling and inflammation, or warmth. Treatments may involve medication such as DMARDs, physical therapy, different footwear, braces, orthotics, or surgery. Some of the foot issues that can be caused by RA include bunions, hammertoe, bursitis, Charcot arthropathy (neuropathy which can lead to an inability to sense injuries, resulting in deformity), plantar fasciitis, rheumatoid nodules, and heel pain.

7. A Sensation of Prickling or Numbness in Your Hands

Talk to your physician right away if you notice changes in how your hands feel. There’s no reason to live with pain or discomfort from CTS, and treatment helps preserve hand function. CTS treatment may include wrist splints worn at night, steroid injections, adjustments to RA medication, or less commonly, surgery that helps release the pressure on the nerves in the hands.

8. Brain Fog

Research suggests that inflammatory activity caused by RA is linked to cognitive impairment. There are a number of risk factors that may be at play. To stay sharp, it’s important to get good sleep, discuss your medications with your doctor, exercise regularly, manage your stress, and consider cognitive therapies like mindfulness meditation.

9. Raynaud’s Syndrome

Raynaud’s syndrome affects blood circulation, causing blood vessels to narrow more than usual in reaction to cold temperatures, and resulting in your fingers and toes turning pale (white, blue, or red) and feeling numb.

There’s no cure, but certain medications can help, as can lifestyle modifications, including exercising, managing stress, dressing warmly, and avoiding rapid temperature changes.

Keep track of your symptoms in a journal; note when the symptoms started, if or when they get worse, and what, if anything, seems to trigger them. Your primary care doctor may refer you to a rheumatologist who can identify and diagnose RA.

• The pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis can affect more than just your joints.
• Some of the more unusual or unexpected symptoms of RA include bruising easily, fatigue, eye problems, skin involvement, brain fog and chest pain, among others.
• If you notice any of these symptoms, especially if they’re persistent or get worse, check in with your doctor.