In my experience, both sides have been equally affected. However, my knees are a bit different. Usually, my right knee will give me more issues than my left. Hands, feet, shoulders, hips are pretty much equal.

When my issues with my knees began they weren't equally affected. My right knee gave me enough problems to begin physical therapy before we really knew this was RA. My symptoms were popping, swelling, and my knee would actually give out. However as PT went on for five months my other knee did start to have pain as well. That combined with other joints acting up led to me seeing a Rheumy and getting diagnosed.

Even now though I have one knee which hurts worse than the other and has more issues, but my other side has more issues with the hip so I guess RA is picking and choosing what joints it wants to mess with for me :/

Invictus

Symmetrical but sometimes one side will be more painful then the other

for me it's one area one week and then the other the next week or next month. Kind of like "well what did I do to the left shoulder"....then down the road "what the heck, didn't I just have the left hurting, now it's the right?"

The pop, relief, and repeat sounds all to familiar. Only my right knee for about two weeks on and off and got better. My left knee has gave me pain a time or two but nothing compared to my right. I also have had the same problem with my right elbow a time or two. It hurts bad and feels better all at the same time after the pop. Good luck.

Not really symmetrical at all. It's usually more one-sided
Trish

Not always both sides with me.
Feet & hands seem to be both but ones always way a head of the other.
Larger joints less bilateral.
Left knee has always bothered me more then the right.
I'm glad as could not imagine both having major pain at the same time. Just thinking about it makes me want to cringe.
Good luck,
Sammy

Good to know guys, thanks!