Oh dear - sorry to hear you're in a rotten flare.
I think I understand the explanation you have given for the pain, I've experienced something similar. It sort of makes you jump and want to run away from it (as if you could). Definitely wouldn't want that on a regular basis.
The burning sensation you describe is what I get with Fibromyalgia, weirdly it mostly prefers to play in a single thigh, very occasionally having a travel around to see if it likes another place. It is accompanied on bad days, with a feeling like that of someone with a burning hot knife is sitting plunging it into my thigh.
The RA pain I get is like toothache, multiplied and relentless around all the joints. I do get shooting pains in fingers and toes to add a little variety if I get bored. And of course fatigue.
It's such a strange condition RA, hits people differently to different levels and often has secondary conditions.
Think you are right to have identified your tipping point and allowing the drugs to control its progress. It's all we have.
Hope you get some relief soon.
Angie
Be yourself - everyone else is taken. XX