I'm 29 years old, and I was diagnosed with RA in February 2009. At the time, the only pain I felt was in my left wrist. The doctor then put me on Prednisone and Methotrexate. Within a matter of months, I began feeling pain stiffness in my fingers. I had bronchitis for about 2 months, and then my left ankle started swelling. I woke up one day, and I was unable to walk. I felt excruciating pain in my left foot, and it was swollen to the point that I couldn't put on a shoe. The doctor told me that I had some sort of infection, and the swelling/pain would eventually go away. I eventually found a new rheumatologists and later discovered that I'd been walking around with stress fractures in my foot. I was put in a boot and had to take 2 months off of work (I teach 8th grade science.). My foot stopped swelling a little, but I still walked with a limp. In April of this year, I had to have the tendon in my left thumb replaced with a tendon from my index finger. I'm still experiencing a great deal of pain and swelling.

 

As of today, I'm still on Orencia (after complications with the Remicade), methotrexate, sulindac, prednisone, hydroxychlorquine, sulfasazimine (s.p?), folic acid, calcium citrate, and vitamin A. I feel like a drug addict. Nothing seems to be working. My hands are VERY stiff, my wrist feels like it's broken, my ankles ache constantly, and my foot pain has returned.
 

Is there any know cause for the stress fractures in your foot?

Several pain free days is a major accomplishment.  Congratulations.

It is great that you have already identfied several problem foods.  I wish you all the best as you continue the identification process.

You are right that it is unusual for RA to get worse as the day goes on.  Usually the worst time is in the morning.