RA OFTEN affects the hands. What education are you on? If y ou are having flares you are likely under-medicated.

Flares may be related to being undermedicated or extra stress and other factors.
Everyone present s differently to RA. My hands didn't start hurting at first. It was always my toes. And they curl up sometimes. Especially after being on my feet for a long time.

My hands are impacted big time. They curl during flares and in the morning. I usually drop everything I pick up. My Rheumy gave me some hand exercises. It's important to keep your tendons stretched. Also, a Physical Therapist could be helpful.

My hands and feet are my worst damage, which I found out is typical of sero-negative RA. However my cousin, who was never put on good meds, has lost the use of her hands. And she is why I always warn people to get the best meds to deal with this disorder

Lately I had to go off mthx for one week, and now my hands are back to curling up. I do a lot of hand and finger exercises, which a physiotherapist who specializes in RA taught me to do. This is another case where you should not be satisfied until you find meds that stop the progression of the disease. There is nothing worse than not being able to use your hands!

My PT gave me some hand stuff too. I mean I though about the stress.... and well my life is go go go. I barely have me time with school and work. Most of time I flair when I am extremely wiped out, or I'm doing extensive hand activities...... witch is like a lot. The whole lower stress level thing; unless someone is going to pay my bills lol I can't really just put my life on hold.
I'm still on my "testor" period of MTX and let me tell you.... it's not working lol. So I know for sure I am in need of a medication upgrade.
That's interesting about the sero-negative because that's what I am. I'll definitely do some reading on that!!!

I just learned that last year, when my new rheumatologist sent me to the PT and OT RA specialists. No one told me before that.

When I first got sick, someone told me that a lot, or even most people with RA are Type A people. I never really researched it, but I certainly am, and what you have written here, about being busy and stressed, it sounds like you are, too.

I guess the catch is to figure how to slow down and relax, and for me, not to take on every task someone asks me to do. I used to feel obligated to help at church pot lucks and the like, when I got sick again 2 years ago, I finally said no. I felt horribly guilty each time I said no, but gradually I am not feeling so ashamed I am not helping/cleaning/whatever.

Sometimes learning to say no can help, and the other thing is finding some stress relieving things you can do. Riding a bike helped me tremendously. I also started doing Christian meditation, which really helped. I'm sure others have figured out things that help them relax and slow down a bit.

Of course, I am old, my schooling and work is finished, so my life is not nearly as stressed as yours. Yet, I still voluntarily started taking Intermediate Greek, which requires constant studying and obsession. LOL Well, I can't give up being Type A entirely, I guess.

I hope the mthx works for you, or you find another combo that does. Always remember that biologics have a synergistic effect with mthx. I was on mthx for 5 years, and it wasn't doing much. When I added Kineret, I was 100% for 4 years. When I had to stop mthx, the Kineret on its own literally did not work at all. So, maybe you will have to ask for a biologic, if you are not already on one? I guess you can work that out with your rheumatologist.

Raptor hands, that's a good description. Yes, I have them.

I having been having raptor hands and feet too!