What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
For many people, the early signs are subtle — joint stiffness in the morning, unexplained tiredness, or discomfort in the fingers, feet or wrists. It can be easy to dismiss… until it becomes impossible to ignore.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes your immune system to mistakenly attack the lining of your joints. This results in inflammation, pain, swelling and — if left untreated — long-term joint damage.
Unlike wear-and-tear arthritis, RA often affects joints on both sides of the body at once. It can also cause fatigue, weight loss, and other symptoms that impact daily life in ways you wouldn’t expect.
Early Symptoms to Look Out For
If you’ve been noticing changes in your body and wondering whether something more serious might be going on, here are some common early signs of rheumatoid arthritis:
✅ Persistent joint stiffness — especially in the morning or after resting
✅ Swelling in the fingers, wrists, or feet
✅ Pain in joints on both sides of the body
✅ Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
✅ Feeling unusually tired, even without much activity
✅ Occasional low-grade fever
✅ Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
✅ Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
What to Do Next
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms regularly, here’s what I recommend:
- Write it down. Keep track of your symptoms and how often they occur. Patterns matter.
- Book a medical appointment. A general practitioner or rheumatologist can run the necessary blood tests and imaging.
- Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Early treatment can make a huge difference.
- Lean on support. Whether it’s through faith, family, or communities like this one — you don’t have to navigate it alone.
When my symptoms Began
For me, it started with a strange stiffness in my knees one morning. I remember brushing it off — maybe I slept funny, or maybe it was just old age catching up with me. Nothing some pain medication couldn’t cure.
But then it happened again and again.
Soon, it wasn’t just my knees. My feet, my wrists, even my shoulders began to ache — not the usual kind of soreness after a long day, but a deep, nagging stiffness that settled in and stayed.
The mornings became the hardest. Getting out of bed felt like moving through thick mud. My joints were swollen, warm, and uncooperative. And then came the fatigue — not just tiredness, but bone-deep exhaustion that lingered even after a full night’s sleep.
At the time, I didn’t know what to call it. I wasn’t sick in the usual sense. I wasn’t even sure if I should be concerned. But something inside me knew: this wasn’t normal.
Finally, a Name: Rheumatoid Arthritis [RA]
After multiple doctor visits, blood tests, and a growing list of questions, I finally heard the words: “You have rheumatoid arthritis.”
It was a strange mixture of relief and fear. Relief because I finally had a name for what I was going through. Fear because I didn’t know what that name meant for my future.
What I did know was that I couldn’t do this alone — and I didn’t have to.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
— Isaiah 41:10
To Anyone Just Beginning This Journey
If you’re reading this and these early signs sound familiar — the stiffness, the joint pain, the fatigue that doesn’t let go — you’re not imagining it.
Trust your body. Speak to your doctor. You deserve to be heard and supported.
And if you’re still in that uncertain space, not yet diagnosed, wondering what’s happening — I want to tell you this:
You are not weak. You are not being dramatic. You are not alone.
My journey with rheumatoid arthritis didn’t start with a bang. It started with whispers — quiet signals that my body was changing.
Those whispers led me into a season of searching, learning, praying, and growing. And they eventually brought me here — to this blog, to this moment, and to the quiet reassurance that grace carries me through every step.
If you’re at the beginning of your journey, know that healing isn’t always about being pain-free — sometimes, it’s about finding strength in your spirit, peace in your heart, and purpose in your pain.
Are you experiencing the first signs of RA?
Share your story in the comments below or reach out via my Contact page — I’d love to hear from you.
