If I hold the steering wheel to tightly or to long, or hold anything too long, in my hands they get cramped and bent out of shape and it takes awhile for them to go back to normal. I do not have rheumatoid arthritis and have been told its Fibro. I frequently flex them and massage them and try to keep my hands warm.

After having fibro for 10 years I recently started getting a similar symptom. Primarily in my left hand index finger, with significant stiffness in the thumb and the other hand joints in both hands would hurt the worse my finger was. It wasn't 'locked' or I may not be using it the same as you are. No popping just very stiff in a claw, super tender to the touch.

Typically those are the first signs of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis. My labs came back negative and my xrays showed nothing. They blew it off as fibro, which I do not believe becausemy fibro symptoms are at the best they have been since they started in a decade. I HIGHLY doubt I would develop new symptoms when I'm not only NOT in a flare but basically a remission period. You should get checked out! RA is progressive!

Blood tests have shown negative...so got drs today so going to ask for mri of hands and knees

Sounds like you have a form of arthritis (possibly genetic?) which may or may not be related to FM. One doesn't exclude the other and they often go together. Sometimes we need to treat each symptom individually. It takes a village of specialists, caregivers (family/friends), support team (like us), knowledge and determination. Don't give up on finding the right professional to validate your concerns and help you find answers! Wishes and hugs!

I was told mine is fibro too, by my internist and the rheumatoligist, but I think it's bunk. This same rheumatologist said "nothing causes fibro, and there is nothing that can be done that you haven't tried." Even if they don't know WHAT is causing our issues, SOMETHING is. I'm not sure why people are becoming medical professionals anymore if their sole purpose is to provide a one size fits all solution based solely on blood tests and body scans. I mean really, if you think about it, why not just have those tests available at the pharmacy, give the pharmacist results, and enter it into a system to pop out results?? It's all too automated these days. Too many solutions, but not enough answers. Sorry! Rant over!

My joint pain in my hands got so bad and so sensitive at one point, I couldn't tolerate the pain of my fingers in my hair when I wash it, or brushing it up against my purse strap when I grab my purse to put it on my shoulders. A slight brush against it literally felt like someone hit the joint with a very small, very strong sledge hammer.

My issues started around May with minor stiffness at night and in the morning, and hit its worst in August, where I could barely bend that finger. Now its back to 24 hr minor joint irritating pain.