I get lower back pain, swelling in vertebrae squeezes sciatic nerve and causes that nerve to ache across buttock, hip, thigh down the leg to bridge of foot. I go to a pain management doctor for epidural steroid that is instant relief for me. Steroids work well for me. Except the injection site is tender for a couple days. But relief for months to a year!
Usually RA specialists check your blood tests for inflammatory response. Then they check every joint in your hands to gauge your level of inflammation based upon how many joints are affected. RA is about stopping the rampant and random inflammation that attacks anything in our body, to damage, errors or cause ulcers etc. If not stopped, the immune system eats away at us. I've hated the different therapies to find something that works for me. Wanted to just quit. Many times. But, it must be controlled or stopped. I dont believe letting it go is a good choice. I wish it was. My older sister is 10 yrs older. I've seen what RA has done to her bc its been difficult to find a way to control hers. Tell your doctor your concerns. Write your questions down so you don't forget anything. Or get a second opinion? But if your doc is certain, take the meds and try to find a therapy that works for you, and go to your checkups so they can watch out for your progress or any issues. I wish you strength, success and peace.

This could be a number of things. Trust your doc for an accurate diagnosis.

I've been diagnosed with everything. What I'm sure of is fibromyalga, cervical and lumbar stenosis. I've had a Doctor diagnosed me with performance syndrome. But no RA. The pain is on the left side of my buttock and hip and leg.

If you don’t have any other RA symptoms, could it be you need a hip replacement? Has your doctor diagnosed RA? Hope you soon feel better.