FAQ about your condition
Concerns about your condition/treatment
What should I do if my arthritis is flaring?
Use maximum doses of pain relief, such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory drugs if prescribed: ask your GP for something stronger if necessary.
Rest the affected joints on a pillow or footstool and apply cold packs or ice if helpful. If you have no ice, a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel would do just as well, but be careful to avoid direct contact on the skin as this can result in burns.
Some people find hot packs more soothing but if your joints are already warm and swollen, cooling them down may be preferable.
If there is no improvement within 5-7 days contact your GP for further advice. Your GP may advise a course of oral steroid or an intramuscular steroid injection to settle your flare. If your GP feels this is warranted you may need to email us ouh-tr.rheumatologynurses@nhs.net.
My knee / shoulder / elbow is swollen and I think it may need aspirating and injecting, what should I do?
Ice packs may help to reduce the swelling.
Aspiration and injection of the joint(s) with steroid is sometimes helpful; however, if more than one joint is affected, your medication may need adjusting. Some GPs are able to perform joint aspiration and injection, however, if your own GP cannot do this, please email us ouh-tr.rheumatologynurses@nhs.net.
I have injured myself; what should I do?
If you have suffered an injury please see your GP. If your GP has ongoing concerns they may refer you for further treatment.
Will smoking affect my condition?
Smokers are at increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, and patients with rheumatoid arthritis who smoke have worse arthritis than those who don't.
Any inflammatory condition increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, and if you smoke that risk is increased further.
We strongly encourage you to stop smoking.
How do I find out my test results?
We will give you the results of any investigations at your next review, or sooner if appropriate. A copy of your results will be available to your GP.
We will send you copies of all letters that we send to your GP.
When do I need to contact my doctor?
Contact your doctor urgently if your joint becomes red and you have a temperature: this may suggest that your joint is infected.
If so you will need hospital treatment.
You may also need to contact your doctor if:
- your flare doesn't begin to settle after a week or two
- you think you may need a joint injection
- your painkillers aren't strong enough
- you need advice about steroids
- you have developed a side-effect from your medication.
Can I contact the Rheumatology team by telephone or email?
For any general medical enquiries you should contact your GP in the first instance.
The email ouh-tr.rheumatologynurses@nhs.net is intended to supplement the advice of your GP, not replace it.
Steroid injections
Can I have a steroid injection before my holiday / wedding / special occasion?
If your arthritis is particularly active we may consider giving you a steroid injection to settle your symptoms, especially if you are waiting for new treatments to start working.
However, regular use of steroids can be harmful, so we do not routinely offer this before holidays or other special occasions. If you require this, please discuss it with your GP or the Rheumatology nurses, who will decide if it is appropriate.
How many times can I have a steroid injection?
There is no rule about the number of steroid injections a person can have, but long-term continued steroid use is associated with significant side-effects, so repeated injections are best avoided and should only be used if your condition has flared.
This is the reason many doctors limit the number of injections they offer to patients. If a steroid injection wears off quickly, or does not improve things, then repeating it may not help either.
If you need steroid injections often, it may be a sign that your disease is not well-controlled, and we may need to think about making changes to your medication.
Conception and pregnancy
What happens if I become pregnant / father a child?
Some of the drugs used to treat arthritis can harm an unborn baby. We recommend that you let your rheumatologist know if you are planning to become pregnant or father a child.
Your treatment may need to be changed before you stop using contraception.
If you have an unplanned pregnancy, and are stopping / have recently stopped taking regular medication for your arthritis, please seek advice from your rheumatology team as soon as possible.
Your employment
Is there good information I can give my employer about my condition?
Please see 'Useful links' for good sources of information to share with your employer.
Useful links - www.ouh.nhs.uk/rheumatology
Can you sign me off work?
If you have been unwell, and not able to go to work for up to seven days, you do not need a Fit Note unless there are limitations that your workplace has imposed on you.
Certificates to return to work after seven days or in limited circumstances are provided by your GP.
If you have been admitted to hospital under the Rheumatology team we will provide you with your certificate before you leave the hospital.
If you have had orthopaedic surgery, the team responsible for looking after you will also provide this.
Can you complete my PIP paperwork?
You should see your GP for assistance if needed. The rheumatology team cannot usually help you to fill this out however may provide advice if required in unusual circumstances or provide a medical report if necessary.
Research
Can I take part in research or clinical trials?
University of Oxford, Oxford University Hospitals and the Kennedy Institute have many current studies into RA, AS and PSA.
All research is optional, and not all studies involve drugs: most require a few minutes of your time and possibly a small blood sample.
If you are interested, do please contact your Rheumatology team.
You can find more information about trials that are currently recruiting on our website:
Clinical research studies - Oxford University Hospitals
You can also sign on with the National Rheumatology Arthritis Society for an email newsletter:
National Rheumatology Arthritis Society - www.nras.org.uk/newsletter