Hey, I have stopped drinking coffee and am avoiding most caffeine as well. My rheumatologist didn't instruct me too, so I don't know the reasons why (though you should bring itup with your doctor), but I felt like it was aggravating my RA symptoms, so I decided to give it up and see how I felt.  I do think it has helped, though not necessarily tremendously.

For the hot, milky beverage craving, I drink tea (usually decaf) with hot milk instead, which has helped in those moments when I crave the habit of having a coffee.  I have noticed for myself that caffeine in tea seems to affect me differently, so sometimes I go ahead and have that. Obviously if your dr. said no caffeine at all, then that might not be such a good idea. You could go to a natural foods store and see if they could recommend some kind of natural energy supplement to take instead of caffeine.

Good luck-it's a hard thing to give up, but it may help the RA some.

Sara