Throat hurts before sleep until couple hours after awake. affects sleep most nights and hurts to talk. feels swollen, humidifier no help. not strep?

See MD asap: Studies show that autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis have a large cardiac component. And, pericarditis is a common diagnosis in patients with RA. That should be your primary concern, to rule this out. Especially because the pain of pericarditis is worse when lying down and better sitting up. However, you need a full exam for other causes & please follow a Rheumatologist regularly for RA