Have you ever heard of RA causing the ribs not to expand fully? In other words they get stiff or something.

First, I have to give you the usual disclaimer. We cannot answer personal medical questions because 1) we are not allowed to act as personal doctors and 2) because we don't know about you medically, nor do we have access to your medical tests of physical examination. Only the people who provide you medical care have those results.

Having said that, RA is sometimes associated with mild "restrictive lung disease." That could be the cause of "causing the ribs not to expand fully?" It is not possible for us to say more. One way to get additional information is to ask your new doctor to get you more medical information about the subject. There are many medical articles about restrictive lung disease in RA that might be available to you.

Pain in the leg at night is a very common symptom that is often caused by referred pain from the back. When it is, it is called sciatica. In most instances such pain improves spontaneously.

I hope this information is of some help.

Dr. F. Wolfe