questions about hot hands & feet / achy joints

[Guest guest]

Hi

It's good to find the support group. I'm new here and have not yet

been diagnosed. I'm waiting for the RA factor blood test results and

an appointment with a rheumatologist.

The first sign was a painful swollen left foot. The right foot

followed soon after but never became so swollen. I get symmetrical

joint pain in my shoulders, elbows and wrists. I now have occasional

burning feelings in my hands. I still get some swelling in my left

foot. I have had flu-like symptoms. I get aches in my ribs.

What I want to know is what is happening when my joints get hot and

when they ache and feel weak?

What I *think* I know, is that damage to my bones could be happening

when the joints are red and swollen. The redness and swolleness is due

to the antibodies which are attacking my synovial membranes and this

leads to production of fluid that leads to the swollen joint and

damage to cartilage eventually. Is this correct?

Also, at other times, my joints are not red and swollen, but feel very

achy and weak. What is going on there? I find it difficult to pick up

things, unscrew bottle tops, ride my bike (pressure on wrists) and so on.

Why are the joints weak? This is probably a daft question but I cannot

find an simple explanation anywhere.