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.
I have R.D.I have been so tired that I don’t feel like doing anything.I quit drinking beer about hoping that I would feel beater.
That was five months ago.I feel worse.So tired and worn out all the time.I am afraid to start drinking again because of the med’s that I am on.
Don’t know what to do. My doctor says it will take some time.I am 63 years old,I don’t think I have much time.
Need some help,Please
Thank You
I’m looking for an RA Support Group in Richmond, VA area. Anybody out there? I’m 31 and diagnosed this year.
I’ve had RA roughly for 10 years, lupus for 14, and fibromyalgia for about 7-8 years. I have tried Plaquenil for my lupus for 14 years, Methotrexate on and off due to hair loss for my RA, and Arava for my RA for the last 3 years. I am on Pristiq for my fibromyaglia. I have also been on opioids for the 5-6 years for the pain due to RA and Lupus, rarely but also for my fibromyalgia. I have told my RA doctor that methotrexate is not helping me! They thought combined with Arava it might then help. It does not. I do not work, but married with 2 kids, 13 autistic and 18. If I am out for half a day shopping, site seeing when family visits or running errands for 1/2 day, I then pay for it the rest of the day and usually the day after. Having to take it easy, staying off my feet, since now I have RA in my ankles, knees, and hip, along with my beginning RA that started in my upper extremities. I’ve been living life like this for at least 5 years. And my RA keeps speading and getting worse. This is not living life. I’m no longer active, thus gaining weight. I need a better medicine for my RA. I would love to hear from others that take other meds. for RA other than methotrexate and Arava please, so I can suggest them to my doctor. I look forward to hearing for some of you that have suffered or/and still are, with meds that help them! I also take several over the counter things that are suppose to help joints. Nothing has helped me. I’ve done gluten free for my lupus. I’ve just recently read that a paleo (I think it’s spelled) diet is suppose to help people living with autoimmune diseases. Anyone one heard of that??
I live in the Waco, TX area. I would love to find a support group with RA or even any other of my autoimmune issues!
Thank you, Julianne
I am in Asheville, NC. Was just diagnosed yesterday. Would really love someone to talk with about this who has “Been there, done that”. Thanks!
I am in Inman SC. Diagnosed today.
Re Support Groups:
I’ve sent several emails to the contact person in Largo FL (Carol) over the past 6 months and have never received a reply.
How up to date is your support group list?
I’m sorry Arlene – I hope I can update it soon – please check back.
I am (desperately) searching for an RA support group in the Tucson, AZ area. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Few local resources available.
I am interested in finding a support group in Wisconsin. Preferably in Washington County. Hopefully, others are already meeting. Thanks.
I am searching for a support group for RA or chronic pain in my area. I live in Ozaukee county, Mequon, Wisconsin and I haven’t been able to find any support groups anywhere near me. Any suggestions
Hi,
Does anyone know of any support groups in the Cleveland Ohio area?
Thank you,
Patty
I am looking for an RA support group or individuals with RA that want to meet friends and support each other in the Pocatello Idaho area. I am 56 years old and female. Struggling with RA and to the point no more meds so I am using homeopathic. Would like to find a group? Does anyone know of one or in the Blackfoot/American Falls and would be willing to drive to Idaho Falls for a meeting as well.
I’m looking for a support group in Louisville Ky? Would love information. Thanks!
Im in Southern NH, near the seacoast. I’d be intersted in joining someone to start a group.
Hi Amy, did you have any success in finding groups/anyone? My wife has been suffering from RA for ~25 yrs. We live between Concord, Nh and the seacoast, and make frequent trips to the seacoast for Work. ~Matt
Hi Matt, any luck finding a support group? I’m in VT but travel to NH frequently. Thank you!
Anyone in the KS/MO area? Would like to start a group or at least connect with others online/email/phone for support and sharing. Reach out even if you just need an ear…tjdavies71@comcast.net
Take care,
Traci
I am looking for a support group for a friend who lives in Cheeney Washington (State). She has become pretty much a “shut-in.” I’m sure you are familiar with the limitations of someone with RA. She requires a caregiver for even basic hygiene help as her hands do not work well. She is suffering from depression. I live in California, her only son lives in Chicago and her husband (whom everyone thought would survive his wife), sadly passed first. The thought was that when my friend Darlene Walker passed, Stan Walker, her husband would then go to live with their son in Chicago. She is O2 dependent. Unable to get travel to a DMV to get the new Real ID so that even if the money were available for an accompanying medical person, she feels she would not be able to tolerate a trip plus she is not an established resident of Illinois and so unsure what type of assisted living she may qualify for. She cannot live with her son and his wife as the home has stairs to navigate. She is currently in independent living at a senior facility and she qualifies for assisted living but there is a very long waiting list. No matter what I have suggested to try to help she negates immediately including contacting a support group/church. So I’m trying this route despite her understandable negative outlook.
Hi! Looking for a support group for RA in San Diego County, Ca. My husband has severe RA. He had a sudden onset in 2016. He’s 47 years old. Lately he has mentioned he’s depressed. When I leave for work he sleeps all day. He has been through numerous biologic treatments. Most recently, Rituxan. It’s caused him many sleepless nights. Any thoughts?
Anyone in North Carolina?
I would really love to talk.with others and see what they have found that helps them with their RA
I was diagnosed with R/A 40 years ago and have been treated for it since then. I saw a new Rheumatologist and she is telling me I don’t have it. I’m having a meltdown as I have been on toxic medication. I’ve had numerous surgeries because of joints collapsing or bone on bone
Any groups, actual meetings not online, in Charlotte NC?
Looking for support group for R.A. in Rockland County
Looking for support group for R.A. in Rockland County, New York
Looking for one in Southeasten PA— like Montgomery County area??
Anyone in Lafayette Louisiana? Can seem to find a group.
Anyone near Katy, Tx? Diagnosed with RA almost 2 years ago. Looking for a group or can start one.
Any RA support group in or near Kenai Alaska? Anywhere on the Kenai Peninsula? Or even Anchorage? I would be glad to start one.
I lived in long island-Nassau county NY- I been looking x arthritis support group in my area please let me know
I have been to emergency room 2 x and to doctors at quickcare, and ???’ They said maybe psoriasis arthritis but told me no outcomes or rx Just come back if you get worst. Then I got a new pcp and she listened and put me on Meloxicam 7.5 3xaday Gabapentin 300mg 3 x a day Flexeril 10mg 3xaday a water pill 1 xaday on am and tramadol 3 x a day then the rheumatologist took me off the meloxicam and something else and wants me to take hydroxychlor 200 mg 1 tab 2 x a day it’s generic for plaquenil and a side effect that scares me is you can go blind !!!! MY RA ID AGGRESSIVE PER HER – and that’s true since 11/5/19 I now can’t get out of bed with forcing myself as whole body hurts to skull
Joints hurt bad bad bad Outside ankles have big sacks of ? Inside ankles hurt right foot is swollen on top and tender on bottom I can’t close bands fingers are so swollen knees hips shoulders hurt really bad I can’t lift arms above head but goes numb and legs start to shake and hurt and jerk when I sit in a car!!! Help me I don’t want to take that medicine snd go blind I live in Las Vegas nv
Hi, I’m Meredeth. I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago with Crohn’s related rheumatoid arthritis, a few months after my youngest daughter was born. I’m seeing a rheumatologist and on Humira, which isn’t working so great anymore. I’d love to talk to people in my situation or similar. I’m in Charlotte, NC. I also work in healthcare, so I try to stay updated with new treatments and new arthritis related news, as well.
I live in Downers Grove, IL and am looking for a support group nearby. I have Crohn’s Disease, RA and Neurophy (so far). I am immuno comprimised. I’m looking for a support group.
Hi my name is Tom, I’ve had RA for over 44yrs. The last 20yrs have been a nightmare. I live in Mt.Vernon In. and would love to find someone, anyone fairly close to me to talk with.
Anyone near Spartanburg, SC?
I am in Vermont and am looking for a support group. Any other warriors from New England??