Local Rheumatoid Arthritis support groups
The following are contacts for groups which meet in-person for RA or autoimmune arthritis support. Some of these Rheumatoid Arthritis support groups are affiliated with larger organizations. You should contact a group directly for more information about meeting times and places. Some meet regularly for coffee and others are more or less active than that.
The benefits of Local Rheumatoid Arthritis support groups
Meeting other people with similar experiences is always helpful. However, with a disease like RA, it is even more valuable. Imagine not having to explain how much it hurts or why you can’t do something or why you’re not better yet. Meeting members of a local Rheumatoid Arthritis support group is almost like meeting relatives at a family reunion!
Finding a Rheumatoid Arthritis support group
If you don’t see your location listed below, please check the comments page. Many people are leaving their names in comments, hoping to find others. Remember to use your email address if you click to Subscribe to Comments so any new replies will be sent to you automatically.
A new Rheumatoid Arthritis support group
If you are not finding local Rheumatoid Arthritis support in your area, maybe you can find one other person with RA and have coffee together. Together, the two of you make the beginning of a new group. Our friends at Arthritis Introspective would be glad to help you. Before you know it, you could be making an impact on the lives of others living with RA. Here is a link to receive their free training guide about being an independent support group facilitator.
If you begin a new group, you can announce it to other RA Warrior readers in the following ways: Send me an email so I can add you to this list and mention your group on Facebook and Twitter. Place a comment about your group on the comments page here so that anyone who has subscribed to comments will hear about it.
Peter Phoenix, AZ
Kevin Tucson, AZ
Susan Tucson, AZ
Marilyn Indian Wells Valley, CA
Denise Orange County, CA
Melanie Irvine, CA
Jena Santa Clarita Valley, CA
Rhea Napa Valley, CA
Francine Santa Cruz, CA
Catherine Sacramento, CA
Lauren Thousand Oaks, CA
Haydee West Los Angeles, CA
Karen Jacksonville, FL
Kelly Central Florida
Carol Largo, FL
Elizabeth Atlanta area, GA
Diane Elgin, IL
Donna Louisville KY
Mary Kay & Tammy St. Louis, MO
Karen Boston, MA
Stephanie Lake Tahoe, NV
Missi Schenectady, NY
Annette Dayton, OH
Angel Oklahoma City, OK
Cate Portland, OR
Mary Southwest PA
Rose Venango County, PA
Kate Rapid City, SD
(New leader soon) Houston, TX
Larissa Austin, TX
Nancy Northern Vermont
Amy Seattle, WA
(Restarting in near future) Milwaukee, WI
NOTE: If you would like to recommend another local RA support group for this list, please have the local group leader contact me directly. Thanks.
These are independent groups that we have listed for the benefit of readers. RA Warrior is not specifically affiliated with any of these groups. This list is alphabetical by state.
Diagnosed with RD about a year ago, but now think that I have had this disease a lot longer. Not doing well with handling all the issues and would welcome finding some RA group support here in Tucson. Thanks.
Is there a Houston support group? I was diagnosed with RA last year and would love to talk to folks that are local. Thanks.
Hi! Does anyone live in or around Athens, GA? I am looking for a support group or someone to talk to. I’m even open to starting one because there is nothing like it where I live, especially for the younger adults. I am 27 years old and was diagnosed with RA 8 years ago, among other health problems. Just wanted to know so I could get together with others, grab a cup of coffee and talk! Thanks!
Hey Chyrisse Smith. I see you posted your comment 3 years ago. I was diagnosed last year and I live in Athens also and am not finding any support groups here at all. Let me know if you are still willing to get together and maybe start our own group because i totally believe there are more than us in Athens needing support. Linda Pitts
Any musicians with ra in Denver
Hello. I was just diagnosed with RA a few weeks ago but have been having symptoms for 15+ years. I’m looking for a support group in the Antelope Valley in California. Thank you.
I’m in Mt Sterling KY East of Lexington. Anybody close?
Ive had Ra since 2001 and now fibromyalgia . I would like to find a group, but theres nothing in Ohio. I live close to Cleveland. Rite now I cant even find any Dr to Help me! Ive been in the Er, hospital, back in Er. Im to the point I cant walk, cause of fluid in my knees + swelling! Yet no1 will see me or take my insurance! Been outta wrk a month. Not seeing much hope
For those struggling with RA and Fibromyalgia like I am, support@ MyFibroteam.com is outstanding! Be blessed!
Hey~
Where are Long Island (suffolk county) groups ?
Hey. I was told today I have RA. I live in Statesville NC, 40 miles north of Charlotte. I would appreciate connecting with a member near me.
There are no support groups in Michigan?Im new to this,I think the more awareness the better,and support groups are important.
anyone near Germantown, WI?
I’m looking for a support. I live in Somerset, New Jersey. I been suffering for RA over 30 yrs.
I am in the city of Orange, California. Are there any support groups in my area? I was diagnosed with RA last November and would love to join a group 🙂
I’m in the Army and was diagnosed in Jan 2016. I live in Chesterfield, VA are there any groups in this area? Email address dobsoa02@gmail.com
Can someone help me get in touch with the Sacramento CA support group?
Hi, I am looking for a support group in central NJ area. I was diagnosed in 2014 and lately I been feeling helpless and hopeless. I would a support group as I feel so isolated.
Patricia
Hi am looking for someone in Hawthorne c.a. Thanks
Hi Kelly! Is there someone running the Central Florida area now that you’ve moved? I’m in Orlando.
Looking for someone in San Antonio Texas area?
Hello..Im looking for a RA group in pontiac Il.or within the area 30 to 45 mins from pontiac Il. if anyone Has one or knows of one please contact me at warren63@netzero.com Thanks
I live in Aiken, SC and would like to meet people who understand and can handle RA friends.
I have had RA since 2011 would like to chat with someone near Memphis, TN, Olive Branch, MS and any survival of 25 or 30 year or more. Please email me at
Mlynchcmb@yahoo.com
Anyone besides me in the Richmond, VA area have RA?lol I have very unsuccessfully been looking for a support group. If your in this area PLEASE give me a shout!!! If I don’t find one soon, I’ll be starting one up!! Thanks draggineer@aol.com
I would like to find others in my area that have RA to meet with
I’m in Brick, New Jersey. I was finally diagnosed in August 2016, but had been showing signs for a while before that. However they were misdiagnosed as being part of other things without further testing. With all of the other health issues I’m going through, I’m unable to work anymore. They started me out on hydroxychloroquine which is now not working so well. So I have no idea where they’ll go next on the treatment since I’m on Medicaid and they have to do things in a very set order to have the treatment paid for.
In my searching, I see the nearest support group is up north in Bergen County. That’s way out of my ability to get to because I’m disabled and have no vehicle. Since I’m still fighting for my disability with the SSA, I don’t have access to all the assistive programs yet. :-/ If nothing else, I’d like to find an online support group where I can chat with others and get tips on how to make certain tasks less problematic and that sort of thing.
I can be contacted through the following:
My Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/jolie.bonnette
My email- jolie_b@joliebonnette.com
I would like to find a support group near me to talk about this horrible disease.
Carol
Any groups near Kerrville, Texas?
Would love to find/start a group in Poughkeepsie NY
Hi,
just recently found this site. Thanks so much for the great info! I was diagnosed with RA approx. 1 year ago (2015). I’m looking for a support group in Norhtern NJ or New York City.
I didn’t see any on the list here.
Thanks so much!
Hi,
I have found this website extremely helpful. I have been struggling for the last seven years to get answers to my ongoing symptoms. Dr’s don’t seem to want to diagnose due to no RF factor. I have convinced my family doctor for a referral to a different rhumatologist….the appointment is not until July 2017. would love to speak to others near me for support.My husband of 25 years is an amazing support but he cannot understand, although he tries 🙂 I am 42 and have officially retired from my healthcare job almost 2 years now due to pain ect. I live in Kitchener, Ontario
How do I start a local support group? I’m in Appleton, WI. Have had severe systemic RA for over 7 years.
I am looking for a support group in the Rochester, NY area. I have RA and felty’s syndrome. I have looked around but can’t find a group any help would be great.
Tracey, I have just happened upon this site and read your post. Your story sounds familiar. I was initially diagnosed with RA but that didn’t hold up due to no RF factor. I was then diagnosed with Lupus, but that didn’t hold up either. Nearly 20 years later, my new Rheumatologist asked if I had any itchy patches of skin-I did. Other symptoms were evaluated, leading to a diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis and Osteoarthritis (with some other complications). Not to say you have that diagnosis, but to encourage you and your family to not give up seeking answers. It took awhile for me, but I finally got some peace of mind, and an explanation for some things which had troubled me for years (decades). I do not live in your area but wish you and your family well.
I am somewhat new to the Denver area (Golden). I would love to meet up with some fellow RA sufferers. I am almost 30 and was diagnosed at 24.
Hi I’m 35 rite now I been diagnosed with r.a since 2007 and I have no luck finding a gd doctor or support group out here in nj I’m a mom of 4 and it’s hard to explain to everyone what I have can people assume it’s regular arthritis and it’s not I can even do what I use to and just cause I look young and health it’s not true in far from that I would love to have people to talk to about this, I’m in nj where it’s way to cold for me out here i can barely move my ra is beginning to be to much for me
I am just wondering how many people have tried Simponi? I have been on Humira, Enbrel and Remicade infusions and am still on Methotrexate and Plaquenil, folic acid and Tramadol. I start Simponi as soon as insurance approves me.
Hello,
I am newly diagnosed with RA. I am looking for information, and to learn if there is a support group in my area. I live near the Cape in Massachusetts.
Thanks
I have RA for 10 or so years, I have bad days still pretty functionl. I live in grand prairie, Arlington area Texas, would like to join other warriors for excange info about how there cooping. Thank you. Ginette Dolberg.
Hi there! I’m looking for a RA support group in the Philadelphia, PA area, anyone know of one? I was diagnosed a year ago and the mental anguish never seems to get any easier..
Looking to connect with people in Ct ( close to Milford ) any RA Warrior here?
Are there any R A with O A groups in Indianapolis, Ind
Hi, looking for a support group near Rancho Cucamonga, California. My older sister had Lupus and passed at age 33. She was survived by her two daughters. Years later, her oldest daughter was diagnosed with Lupus. The youngest daughter was diagnosed with autoimmune disease and it is her daughter, age 24 who has recently been diagnosed with RA and today Fibro. She is my 2nd niece or grand niece. We talked or I should say text this evening for a while and I could tell she is really depressed. Although she is in great pain, she is 24 and doesn’t look ill at all. She is a new manager in her career and just registered for college courses. She is trying to stay busy and focus on her future. But this new diagnoses really brought her down.. It will be great help to find a support group out here 35-40 miles east of down town Los Angeles.
I live in Austin Tx and was recently diagnosed with RA. Is there a group here. I’m in Westlake
Hi, my name is Jo, and since 2014 I have been diagnosed with RA, Fibromyalgia, SLE, and CFS. I recently relocated from Oklahoma to my home state of Idaho. Is there anyone who know of a support group for persons with chronic illnesses in South West, Idaho (Treasure Valley,) or Eastern Oregon (Ontario/Nyssa) area(s)? I really need someone who understands that I can talk to!
I’m new one month now I don’t no what to do ? there talking life long treatment .I would rather find a natural way to do anyone have input.thank you
Looking for one near Lexington, SC
I just have a question. I was diagnosed with RA about 4 years ago. About a month ago my Rheumatologist told me to go off of all my meds for now because I am being tested for MS in December. The medicines I was on were Plaquenil, Methotrexate and Simponi injections. Anyway, I feel so much better without these drugs and am thinking of staying off of them. Good or bad idea?
Hi Sheila,
If you’re feeling better off them, I would stay off them — I had side effects from methotrexate that just made me so miserable that going off all meds and experiencing unmedicated RA was a relief! Once I’d regained my liver function after being off mtx for a month or two, my rheumatologist started me on a new regimen that didn’t include mtx, and I am feeling much better now.
Looking for a support group in Riverside, CA