It sounds like you have one or more chronic infections (bacterial, viral) that could be causing the problems. A list of the most likely possible infections appears on our website immed.org under Clinical Testing.
I'll be honest with you, when I went to doc I was in a lot of pain, but I do remember him saying I had no major swelling or redness that is usually associated with RA and he also told me my blood work didn't show RA. He ruled that out and gave me the PR dx. Also six months prior to my "stiffness" flare I had been really sick with internal organ pain and red rash all over my thighs and face almost like a sunburn and it was itchy and I was told my liver enzymes were elevated and I had a ultrasound a week later by then I felt fine and my ultrasound looked normal. I'm starting to think they are related. My doc didn't think so but I've never been sick like that in my entire life and have always been otherwise healthy. They never did figure out what was wrong with me at that time. I also have been having issues with my memory and I'm only 28 and I have dizzy spells maybe that is the Prednisone causing that????
I am curious to know how Rheumatoid Arthritis dx was eliminated? In over one-half RA but not apparently in OA, chronic synovial bacterial infections have been identified, and some rheumatologists treat these infections long-term with good outcomes.