RA for me was aching/swelling in morning. Gets better as day goes on, but can still be achy during day and night. Arthritis is worse in evening/night.

I would suggest applying ice on knee several times a day. 10minutes on,10minutes off. If you apply heat, always end with ice. I use a frozen bag of limas inside gallon freezer bag. Stays frozen and when I'm done, just throw back in freezer. Compression if possible. Also I find that a "runners knee strap" (you can find them online and at sporting goods store)worn under knee helps support knee and causes less pain when up on knee.

Hard to stay off knee with baby. Right? Knuckle? That sounds like could be start of RA. My RA started out with swollen knees and then went to fingers. Again best advice-Keep Journal.

Next best advice: Lay around and enjoy your baby!

Your knee sounds more like a bakers cyst or bursitis related to RA...

I've got a miserable ring finger joint right now. Worst is the last 3 hrs of sleep..which technically isnt sleep. I find myself in pain around 2am and normally get up at 5am....I sorta doze on and off til 5 with the knuckle pain.

I hope you get a diagnosis soon. Have you been to an orthopedic doctor regarding your knee? An MRI would show what is happening there.

I agree with bcatz your knee pain sounds like bursitis or something else besides RA. RA pain will most likely wake you up in morning and is worst in morning. This is where you say, "Lucky you-it could not be RA." But sometimes areas around RA are affected also,muscles,tendons,etc. Best go have it checked out.

RICE (Rest,Ice, Compression, Elevate)

Mine gets worse at the day goes on too. I had initially ruled out the thought of RA because of this, but now I don't know. For once my knees aren't too bad, but my ankles, wrists, fingers and sshoulders are so swollen and sore, it's just bad. I'll take just my knees any day, lol...Mine gets worse regarless of activity as well it seems, all I did was sit most of the day, get up once and a while, but so tired today, so am back to thinking RA. I find Ice and soaking helps my swelling hte most.

Cold weather and weather changes are the killer for me. We had a weather change today and I couldn't get out of bed for awhile because the pain was so bad.

Lynne

Thanks ladies. The swelling in my knee is always there, just worse at night. My pain and stiffness is very bad in the morning, especially my feet and back and hips. Also bad if sitting in one position too long. :( Still hoping its not RA but that is looking more and more likely by the day.

And it was ridiculously cold here last night and today, which is NOT helping.

Ive always been worse in the mornings, even before the DX of RA when it primarily spine, nerve & muscle pain.
I find as the day goes on certain joints will hurt more, like the knee.
Especially if I have it bent while sitting for any length of time.
Just my opinion but like everything else I don't think we all follow the exact same pattern or general rules of RA.

Its usually my hands that bother me the most but I swear It could be anything lately. My Tailbone area can be a big problem with me. I just never know. I'm stunned at how much can hurt. I ache from head to toes when getting up in the mornings.
This disease is unpredictable. Some mornings I feel like I'm over 100yrs old.
No fun thats for sure. I wonder if bracing the knee area or some sort of support would help? A good question for the Rhuemy.
God bless, Sammy