What should I ask my rheumatologist?
It can help to take two or three questions, written down, with the one that matters most to you first. Questions about what happens next are often the most useful: what the plan is until your next appointment, what to do if things change before then, and what to keep track of. A short note of how things have been since last time can help too, so there is something to talk through together. The list below is only a starting point, so leave out anything that does not feel relevant to you.
About the plan
- What is the plan between now and my next appointment?
- If things get worse before then, what should I do, and who do I contact?
- How will we know whether what we are doing is working?
- What would you like me to keep track of before next time?
About medicines
- Is there anything I should look out for with my medicines?
- Do any of them need regular blood tests, and who arranges those?
- Could anything I take for something else affect this?
About day to day
- Is there anything about work, exercise or sleep you would like me to change or keep doing?
- Is there anyone else I could be referred to, such as a physiotherapist or occupational therapist?
- Where can I read more that you trust?
Before you go in
- Write down how each symptom has been since your last appointment.
- Note any medicine you started, stopped or changed, and roughly when.
- Bring a list of everything you take, including supplements.
- Choose the question that matters most to you and put it first.
- If you can, bring someone to take notes.
In the room
- If you can, ask your most important question early on.
- If time runs short, it is fine to ask how to get the rest answered.
- You can ask for anything complicated to be written down.
- It is always fine to ask them to say something again.
My rheumatology appointment
- How things have been since last time
- Medicines started, stopped or changed, with dates
- Everything I take, including supplements
- My top question, first
- Up to two more questions
- What happens next, written down before I leave
The summary takes a couple of minutes, needs no account, and nothing is saved.
About the condition itself
Written by The Noori team. Last reviewed 24 September 2026.
Noori keeps a record of your symptoms between appointments, so this summary can fill itself in, and can introduce you to a UK-registered nutritionist who works with joints. About NooriSee who is taking clients