Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services if you have severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, crushing or persistent chest pain, or an inability to speak in full sentences.
These symptoms can occur with several medical emergencies and should not wait for a routine appointment.
And for anyone, someone who:
is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek urgent medical advice the same day if you have:
A clear, sudden worsening of your usual breathing
Fever with cough or breathlessness, especially during immune-suppressing treatment
New sharp pain when breathing
Coughing up blood
A rapid fall in oxygen readings from your normal level
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine medical review if you develop a persistent dry cough, gradually increasing breathlessness, reduced exercise tolerance, or repeated chest infections.
These symptoms need assessment, but they do not necessarily mean that rheumatoid arthritis has affected your lungs.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Rheumatoid lung disease. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.