This sounds weird, because I only get flares in small joints. I used to get it in the shoulders occasionally, but never in my hips. My hands and toes, on the other hand are always under attack first, and when I first started I would get it in just one joint in my wrist. My worst deformities are in my hands and feet, and I just had my foot reconstructed it was so bad I couldn't walk on it. The surgery turned out well, but the post op complications are endless. From nerve damage in the third toe while standing when the pins were in my feet, to a throat nodule and losing my voice, shingles, thrush and a totally compromised immune system. I thought things couldn't get worse, but I was wrong.

I heard somewhere that there are different families of RA, and perhaps we belong to different families? I think that is why our treatment strategies differ so much. Sorry I couldn't be much help

My RA affects most all my joints.I get flares in my hands wrists shoulders knees hips feet neck elbows.I can have swelling pain in my feet and hands then that goes away and my shoulders and elbows might hurt. I think it is because my medications just arent working like they use to.In other words my RA is not being controlled well.My annual xrays show no joint damage despite the not so great control and I have not deformaties.Been on enbrel for over 6 years, will be 7 in january and it doesnt work like it did anymore.was great for a long time.

Caren, As awful as this sounds be greatful that your body has some joints responding well to your medications. I had a lengthy discussion about the percentage of relief one should expect from RA wonder meds. Although a remission is the optimal goal, some people only improve a small to moderate percentage. I think those commericals making it seem like these are wonder drugs are both wrong and decieivng! Why not talk about this when you see your doctor next. He or she may suggest adding another med to your mix or possibly change you up entirely. Since each of our bodies react so differently to the meds we try it is often worthwhile experimenting with different combos. That is where an astute and good rheumy comes into play. Good luck, marcia

My Ra effects all y joints, it's not biased against either the large or small ones. For the most part, each flare varies as to where it hurts, bit I have noticed the since taking the Enbrel, I have less pain in the smal joints.

It could be that the meds are helping with the inflamation, but there's damage to the joints and that's what hurts, not the RA. ALot of us sufer joint damage thanks to this unforgiving disease.

Yep, mine started in my shoulders, and I still have problems there. It wasn't till things got really bad that my neck, throat, and fingers blew up.

My pain is also in my large joints. Shoulders, hips, low back and now the bottom of my feet? What's up with that? I feel for you. I take nothing at this point but aleve. Having some cortisone shots on Friday. Yeah Caren, I feel for you. But I keep telling myself, "I may have RA, but RA doesn't have me". Words from a wise friend of mine

I have large joint pain and small joint pain. The worst pain I have been in yet was in my hips while on both of my vacations this past summer.

I haven't had much noticeable relief with MTX so far, so I have just started Enbrel. I am so hopeful that this is going to do the trick.

I think this would make a great conversation to have with your rheumy.

Jess