10 Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis

7. Pairs of Achy Joints

People with rheumatoid arthritis commonly report achy joints as one of their most unpleasant symptoms. Sometimes, people mistakenly believe that their pain is caused by overexertion or osteoarthritis, the type of arthritis common among older people. In other cases, achy joints are misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia or even chronic fatigue syndrome. Long-lasting pain characterizes achy joints in rheumatoid arthritis (lasting up to or more than a week). It can be symmetrical, meaning that both hands, feet, or elbows are affected simultaneously. Other parts of the body, like ankles, can also be affected, even though they are not as likely to be affected as the hands or elbows.