I did see a condition that comes and goes and has some of the symptoms you have. Does this one sound similar?

"People with palindromic rheumatism usually have no symptoms between attacks. This is different from other types of inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, as people with these conditions will have joint problems most of the time.

During an attack of palindromic rheumatism, the joints involved – and the tendons and area around them – will feel painful and stiff, and may look swollen. They might also feel tender and hot, and the skin over your joints may look red."
-- What is palindromic rheumatism?: https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/palindromic-rheumatism/