I have had issues with gout for at least 30 years but have noticed (within the past 1-2 years) increasing pain in my joints, i.e., ankles, knees, arms. I had spinal fusion in 2010 so the pain I have in my lower back is explainable, but the joint pain is getting harder to tolerate. The only real relief I notice is after taking Tylenol. Could this be the start of rheumatoid arthritis? I was informed after an MRI on my lower back that I do have arthritis at the surgical area.