Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Treatment options and patient support

Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week

Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week (RAAW) is an annual campaign that aims to raise awareness around rheumatoid arthritis and those affected, their families, friends, and employers about the condition. The campaign was launched by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) in 2013, 12 years after the organisation was founded. 

This year, Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week will run from the 15th-19th September. The theme for 2025 is a focus on raising awareness of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a kind of autoimmune disease that can affect multiple joints in the body. The chronic condition, a kind of arthritis, is associated with pain, swelling, and stiffness in the affected joints that can have a significant impact on mobility and quality of life. 

The disease is thought to affect around 1% of the global population, with estimates suggesting that between 450,000 and 700,000 people in the UK may be affected. Rheumatoid arthritis is roughly two to three times more common in women than in men, and typically develops between the ages of 40 and 50. 

But what causes rheumatoid arthritis?

RA is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system functions abnormally. While the immune system typically helps to protect the body from disease and infection, in rheumatoid arthritis, it mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. This affects the lining of the joints, causing damage to the tissue around the bones as well as the cartilage and bones themselves.  

It is not fully understood what causes the immune system to act in this way. However, rheumatoid is more common in people with a family history of the disease, suggesting genetics play a role. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, may also increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. 

What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can affect certain joints, with the most common being the wrists, knees, hands, elbows, and shoulders; however, it can affect other areas, including the hips, spine, and jaw. The condition often affects both sides of the body symmetrically. 

The main symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are pain and stiffness in the affected joints. However, the condition can also cause more general symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and fevers. 

RA may also affect other areas of the body, including the:

• Eyes (dry eye syndrome and inflammation)
• Lungs (shortness of breath and cough)
• Heart (chest pain and increased risk of stroke and heart failure)
• Skin (rashes, sores, and nodules)

Understanding the impact of rheumatoid arthritis

The physical symptoms of RA can have a significant impact on mobility and the ability to perform everyday activities. The condition is often associated with mental health challenges, with RA patients experiencing higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. Various studies indicate that chronic inflammation is strongly linked to an increased risk of mental health disorders and sleep disturbance. 

Is rheumatoid arthritis a disability?

Under UK law, rheumatoid arthritis is considered a disability. This means that people with RA are protected by the Equality Act 2010, which requires employers to make reasonable adjustments to allow them to carry out their work. 

Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis; however, treatments can help to manage symptoms and slow - in some cases halt - the progression of the disease. In most cases, practitioners will recommend a multifactorial approach to treating rheumatoid arthritis. Conventional treatment options include:

• Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
• Biological treatments 
• JAK inhibitors (when DMARDs or biological treatments are not suitable or ineffective)
• Painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
• Surgery (removal of inflamed tissue, joint replacements, etc)

While conventional pharmaceuticals can be beneficial for managing symptoms and slowing disease progression, some may be associated with significant side effects. As a result, many patients may be interested in alternative treatments, including medical cannabis. 

So, does cannabis help with rheumatoid arthritis?

Medical cannabis and rheumatoid arthritis

Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018 making it available as a treatment for a wide range of conditions, including various types of arthritis. While medical cannabis cannot cure rheumatoid arthritis, it may be beneficial for managing some associated symptoms. In recent years, several studies have explored such applications for cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs). 

What does the evidence say?

A review of the current evidence, published in 2023, assessed data from preclinical and clinical trials assessing the safety and efficacy of cannabis for rheumatoid diseases. The review highlighted “promising results regarding the anti-arthritic properties of cannabinoids” which appear to be mediated by anti-inflammatory effects. Further research with a focus on rheumatoid arthritis is needed to fully understand this potential.

A wider range of studies has assessed medical cannabis as a novel treatment for chronic pain (a major symptom of RA). In a 2023 study of chronic pain in Finnish patients, medical cannabis was found to be as equally effective as opioids in reducing pain intensity, in addition to improving broader pain-related factors, including emotion, functionality, and a sense of wellbeing. 

Some evidence suggests that medical cannabis may also help to improve sleep disturbances and mental health symptoms, including anxiety and depression, in some patients. In 2025, a one-year longitudinal study was published, assessing changes in pain and mental health symptoms following initiation of medical cannabis treatment. The data indicated notable improvements in pain severity, depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep across the study period, with around half of patients reporting substantial improvement. 

Can I get medical cannabis for rheumatoid arthritis?

As mentioned above, cannabis-based medicines can now be prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis. However, these medications can only be prescribed by a specialist consultant and may only be considered when two or more conventional therapies have been ineffective or are associated with intolerable side effects. 

Kieran, a Releaf patient, has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since his 20s. Starting in his knee, the condition eventually began to also affect his hands, wrists, and elbows. After being unable to achieve relief with different anti-inflammatory medications, Kieran decided to give medical cannabis a go:

“On evenings after work, when I’m able to vape my medical cannabis, the relief is incredible. It relaxes me and takes the pain away on a completely different level compared to my previous treatment options. I also sleep better, and I feel less stressed. It’s hard to explain - it’s just a better kind of relief than any of the prescription meds I’ve tried.”

At Releaf, we prescribe medical cannabis for a wide range of conditions. Our team of specialist doctors are knowledgeable in their respective fields and the application of medical cannabis treatments. If you’d like to learn more about medical cannabis for rheumatoid arthritis, fill in our online eligibility checker today.