My left knee was very swollen, then it kinda "oozed" to my thigh. So now my knee is smaller, but my thigh is 1.5x normal size, tight and sore. I cannot bend that knee more than 90 degrees. I presume it is escaped synovial fluid which is a truly gross thought! I also have quite a bit of oedema in my legs by the end of the day, my rheumy thinks this is because the RA may be attacking my heart (went for echo last week, awaiting results). Lady regions seem to be ok so far, but give it time - nothing would surprise me!

not sure about private areas but I too get periodic tissue swelling in non joint areas. I thought I was crazy.

I have weird swelling too. First, my ribs and chest hurt me so much I was in the hospital for 3 days and all I got out of it was to continue on my steroids and don't wear a bra. I at least laughed at the medical suggestion. LOL Also, I have been having weird groin pains and swelling (outer) ... Not sure why and not sure who to ask about it either...

Hard to have to ask such a personal question. Havent had obvious inflammation in this area but when first struck had a lot of swelling in areas away from joints in other places and was told this is because the fluid from the joint inflammation will "drain" or "settle" in other parts. So that could be it. Nowhere in the body is so very far from a bone. Also I have scleritis which is RA affecting the eye and that's not bone. We know in worst case scenarios it can affect some internal organs so although it isnt common so can believe tissue can be affected elsewhere. Hope like with many flares points it shifts itself to somewhere else soonest.

Edema can lead to "seeping" of serous fluid in lower parts of the body. Especially with cardiac insufficiency.

I have noticed when I am most sore, I also develop edema in my ankles . . .

Thanks all,, I was alittle reserved asking but it was alittle concerning to me. something I dident exactly want to run across Rheaumy. today Im also seeing a decrease in all inflamation. how weird to me...but like you said Rose... Im having these issues with my lungs with fluid and who knows where else, so I should not be surprised by anything ! again thank you my friends for all your advice! Hugs

I have never had the private area issue but my arms are swollen from my wrists to my elbows and up a bit beyond there. My rheumy calls this "extraarticular manifestations of RA."

I had a nodule on my vocal fold once, which damaged it for singing and I couldn't speak for several months. Maybe this is something similar?

Water retention and edema can be regular occurances with RA especially with the occasional Steriod taper. You should tell your Rheumy so he can decide if its medication side effect related.

I notice that my lower extremeties do swell all-over sometimes from inflamation (waist down). Not much now that I've got the RA better under control.

Is the swollen area sore? Or just puffy? If its just puffy I'd chalk it up to water retention.

yes just puffy and it went down in just a few days so your probabley right..water retention, this disease always surprises on a daily basis..I sometimes think it has a brain that dont like me !! Thanks all and have a good evening.