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.
Hello, I am looking for support groups for my mother. She has arthritis but these website is confusing. Can you please contact me with information. Thank you.
Looking for ra phone buddy. My hands deformed hard to type. I live in Phoenix. 6025751158 my name is pat. Had ra since 1996 stage 4
Hi, I am looking for a group in Dallas area (Mckinney). Someone ?
Hello all,
My name is Mallorie and I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Anyone from Green Bay or surrounding area?
Anyone from western Connecticut? Diagnosed with RA in Sept. 2013. Starting Enbrel soon. Anyone have bad reaction to Enbrel?
Im from central mass and i just got off enbrel after being on it for 6 momths. It was finally starting to work when i started getting rebound headaches everyday. Ive been off for about a month and the headaches have decreased but not stopped. Still not sure ots the enbrel. Im not on humira and its still too early to tell if itll help. Good luck on enbrel. I thought the inject pain was bad on enbrel but i find humira to be alot worse.
Posting again because I don’t remember if I checked the box to receive followups.
Anyone around Richland, Pasco, or Kennewick, WA?
I don’t know if I clicked on the correct reply or not. I am replying to the woman that is in Hayward. Is this Hayward, Ca? I am looking for support and was recently diagnosed last April. Thank you.
Shelly,
I know this is a few years later, but are you still in the Norfolk area?
Thanks!
I’m in Elizabeth, New Jersey (near Newark Liberty Airport) but I see no other NJ residents. I am 42 yrs old & was diagnosed at age 9. It’s been a long run. I’ve had ups & downs (currently on a down). I’ve had a few surgeries, lost all vision in one eye due to bursitis & I’m now searching for a new Rheumatologist after having the same one for past 30 years! I’d love to talk to others & offer support. Email me at prnena626 at yahoo. Thanks Carmen
Hi Carmen! I hope I’m doing this right! I saw your posting on the RA Warriors site. I have not posted here before. I was recently diagnosed with RA and would love to connect. I am in the Monmouth County area. Thanks! Nanette
Does anyone know of a Dallas, Texas support group? Thanks! Rayni
I do not know how to add my ‘story’ but here it is. I was first diagnosed in 1990 with RA. What happened was, I would have tremendous pain under my feet,the bottom of both feet. That was around 1984. It went away after a week or two. Then it happened again around Jan 1990. I went to my doctor at Kaiser. They took many blood tests and three months later the results were RA. It was downhill after that. I went on so many different medications I almost can’t remember them all. But I do remember that some of them had strange effects on me. I have been on Remicade since 2001 now. But I do not like the way my immune system has been weakened.I really hate getting sick all the time. I understand that some people are diagnosed starting with different symptoms.
Hi, My Mom (70yo) was diagnosed with RA about 2 years ago. She has been trying evrything to help with the pain and just recently tried ENBREL. Initially it helped but she just developed an allergic reaction to the medication and has been advised to discontinue it. As Im sure you know it is extremely expensive. Insurance covered part of it but my parents are now stuck with a significant supply of it. Would you know of any one who would be interested in purchasing the NEW medicine from us at a discounted price then what they could get it for. To tell you the truth I dont know if this is something that can be done but someone that needs this medication and cant afford it would benefit from this. Our medication is 2 weeks old and unused. Please feel free to contact me via email: michelehm1@verizon.net or call 410-925-6596. I screen my calls so please leave a detailed VM. Thank you so much…michele
Im located in central MA just outside of Worcester and was wondering if anyone was in the area. I see there is a group in Boston but thats a hike for me and im not much a city girl.
Hi I’m also around the Worcester area and looking for support group to attend I have one online but it would be nice to have one that I could attend. I was officially diagnosed 8 months ago after 2 years of not knowing what was wrong
Im in the Sacramento area looking fir support person/group. Is there anyone out there? Having first severe flare and could use some local support, Please answer. Thank you.
Any one in Kenai, Alaska? The Kenai Peninsula? Anchorage? Anywhere in Alaska? Please contact me. bcarya@alaska.net. Thanks! Barb
Please add me to this RA list to meet others. I live in Simi Valley, ca
I need to find someone near riverview florida
I’m not sure if I can write this here, but it is about one of the medications I use to take. I say “use to”, because even with my Medicare part D plan, my Enbrel is $500.00 co pay a month. I can not afford it. I have tried some foundation like Enbrel and Encourage foundation. Enbrel said no, because of my Medicare part D plan, and Encourage have not heard from. I really need this medication, so I can do the things I love to do. Without it I hurt a lot more, and am unable to enjoy life like I use too. Do you know of any way I can get some help? Thank you. Dorothy Tazelaar
Hi Corrin,
I live in Bellevue, WA and would love to connect with you! I was first diagnosed with moderate-severe RA in 2008 and I’ve been looking for a support group since then. Now that I’ve found RAWarrior.com, I’ll make sure to check the comments page for your response and anyone else who is interested in meeting or forming a local support group, although I see that your posting is 2 years old.
Julie
This is MONTHS after this thread started, but I’m in WNY too and would love to know if anything ever got started!!!
Hi Julia,
I’m also in the Nashville area (Spring Hill) and am looking for a support group. Did you find one?
Karyn
I am looking for a support group in the nashville tn area. I was diagnosed 4 years ago and need others to talk to.
I at first replied to the wrong person… Hi Kathy, I’m also in the Nashville area and am looking for a support group. I just was diagnosed a few weeks ago, and am having a rough time.
I am submitting this on behalf of my dad, John Townsend. He is seeking a support group in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Thank you in advance for helping me to locate someone or group that he can speak with about his diagnosis.
Any support groups in Cincinnati, Ohio
Hello,
What a wonderful site! So happy I found it!
I’ve been on the RA roller coaster for over a year now, not the most fun ride!
I was hoping to find an established support network in Syracuse New York. Be willing to help get something started if others are interested!
Hope to hear from folks soon!
Thanks,
Andrea
Hello, my name is Marissa and I was diagnosed with Poly JRA when I was 4 and have been living with it for 21 years and I will be moving to Georgia this fall and was wondering where I can go to get some help, with transferring disability and for medical stuff. If anyone can help that would be great!
Have a great day!
Hello all,
I am newly diagnosed, Jan 2014; with all the meds, pain, and doctor’s appts that NO ONE seems to understand…I really need to be around people who understand what I’m going through. Any conversation I have about what I go through causes me to start uncontrollably crying. I try very hard to keep under control for my family. But it’s just not easy.
I am looking for a RA support group in Birmingham,Al. I would appreciate any help. I have RA and no one to talk to aside for my Rheumatologist.
I know many of you are looking for an in person support group. Please visit our website for the most current list of communities we are serving http://www.arthritisintrospective.org/ai-support-system
Hi I am Kathy
At the momment my computer at home is not working. I am from New Jersey. Is there anyone else out there from this area?
Hii! I’m also from NJ. Would love to connect and discuss RA. I have recently been diagnosed.
El Paso, Tx or anything fairly close?
Looking for a support group in either Portland, OR or Salem,OR. I’m 36 dx at age 7.
I would love to find a support group or start a support group in Charlotte, NC if anyone is interested or knows of anyone
Hello I’d like more info on the group that meets in Phoenix AZ. I was not able to email Peter because I have a pop blocker that I don’t know how to remove. Please email me the days, times, and location for the group. I would greatly appreciate it!
HI Ysenia ,, you can sign up to be added to the mailing list for the Phx AI Support Group at http://www.arthritisintrospective.org/aiss/az-phoenix
I live in Hagerstown maryland and I have been looking for a ra support group. Does anyone now of any
Central Western WA
Anyone anywhere around:
Belfair – Port Orchard / Bremerton – Silverdale ?
.
Impossible to be a warrior when you’re isolated. I know there must be others out there. RD, PD, SLE, other autoimmune …
.
I’m basically a serious person – looking to be better educated, more assertive – somehow manage RD (my life) better.
.
Please Respond (without the spaces).
rmyjy4pehy @ snkmail . com
.
Look forward to meeting you.
Hi Melani!
Just DX and interested in a support group in Charlotte as well. Any luck with finding one here? If not, also interested in getting one started. I’m not sure how folks are exchanging emails except through Kelly. I’m not sure I want to post my email on the site.
Thanks,
Susan A.
I,too,am from Charlotte and very interested in getting a sport group started. This Web site has my permission to share my email address with folks interested from the Charlotte, NC area. I noticed comments from WS, Salisbury and Boone, NC, perhaps we can include you all as well.
Hi,
I am attempting to find a RA support group in my area. I can not contact any of the names listed because it says that my default is not set up?
I live in WA state in Kent and am looking for a support group.
Thanks
Hi Lynn,
I am 72 years old and was recently diagnosed with RA.
I live in Haddonfield. Is there a support group in this area?
How long have you been dealing with this? I am retired so have time to talk on the phone. I have so many questions if you have the time. Will look for your answer.
New to RA diagnosis. A bit confused….and concerned. Looking for info in South Jersey area.
Looking for a support group in Bakersfield, Ca
To whom it may concern,
My name is Jessica Leftwich and I am an Occupational therapy assistant student at Nashville State Community College. We have been assigned a group presentation over the topic of rheumatoid arthritis. In that presentation we have to interview an individual who has been diagnosed with RA or their caregiver. If there is anything you can do to assist us it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
I’m looking for an RA support group in St. Louis Mo
was wondering if anyone in here with RA near Mobile, Al???
If you are looking for an in person peer led social support group please visit Arthritis Introspective for the most current list of communities we are serving. (unfortunately the list here hasn’t been updated in a while.) http://www.arthritisintrospective.org/ai-support-system
If you are interested in starting a support group Arthritis Introspective has a support group leader training program http://www.arthritisintrospective.org/forms/become-ors
Hello everyone! I’m trying to find a support group in the D.C. Metro area. If anyone knows of one or would be interested in getting together and starting one please email me at Katie.veith@hotmail.com.
I live in Howell, New Jersey and am looking for a support group for others with RA. I am 49 years old and have had Arthritis since I was two years old. I currently attend a group for People with Disabilities if anyone is interested in joining, until I can find a group more specific to Arthritis.
Cyndi & Emily: I am in in Severna Park (also about 20 min South of Baltimore). Did you have any luck setting up a group? If so, I am interested. Was diagnosed mid 2014. TERRY
I live in Alexandria, Virgina and would like to find a support group in my area. I was diagnosed with RA 2 months ago, I would love to hear from someone in Alexandria Va.
Thanks
Hi: I just got told i have anlylosing spondylitis arthritis.
I live in south carolina and Im scared after reading up on it.
I’ll be moving as i live in a very rural area and i cannot keep up taking care of all the land i have. Plus medical care is hard to come by, i have to travel two hours to see a Specialist.
Be moving to Cumberland County, New Jersey to live with my Father and i was hoping to find a support group there i could join.
If anyone has any information about my disease or group information please let me know thank you
Don hurts a lot. By lunch he is zappped. He spends the afternoon in his chair abd on sofa. Was on Lexapro but he stopped after 2wks. He needs someone to talk to sharing ailments and how to get thru it.
Don hurts a lot. By lunch he is zappped. He spends the afternoon in his chair abd on sofa. Was on Lexapro but he stopped after 2wks. He needs someone to talk to sharing ailments and how to get thru it.
Winston salem, nc
Amen Don.