I had elbow pain before I was dx with RA (in fact several years before and neck pain). These earlier pains could have been start of RA. My rheumatologist looked at my last year and declared it tennis elbow. RA pain is mostly in morning and usually will go away in a few hours.

My advice to you again is keep that journal. Write it down in composition notebook. Record by date, weather, stress factors, medication you are taking. I looked back on my notes from two years ago other day to compare what I was going through and the medication.

Then when you go to RA, you have it all right there. And can use it later. It is extremely helpful.

Help for elbow. Again, Ice. I also got an ace bandage that I velcro on right below elbow (got from drugstore) that really helps put compression on just below elbow and takes away pain.

How did I hurt that elbow? I used to carry my son when he was a heavy baby up the stairs.

Thanks Wendy! My pain has been pretty bad all day long. I keep expecting to go to bed and wake up feeling better, but it all just feels the same in the morning. I will try the ice and compression. It has been helping for me knee.

I have been keeping a journal now for over a week. I am also going to write out all my symptoms to have at the drs since I tend to forget things when I am talking and nervous. Thanks again for your help!

My RA started in my elbows...both at the same time. Couldn't even pick up a cup of coffee. Sigh Hope your pain eases soon!

Mine is usually on the tennis elbow side at night. On bad mornings, it aches all over the elbow and all the way down to my fingers. I'm only recently diagnosed, but they suspect I've had it for 20+ years, isolated and causing secondary issues like carpel tunnel, tennis elbow, neck and lower back pain, etc. Usually they ache, sometimes it feels like a sprained muscle, sometimes nerve shooting pains, sometimes tingling. It varies.