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 am 73 and have had RA for years complicated by interstitial lung disease.I have an older sister living in Gravette, AR so your post caught my eye.
I’m not sure if I’m doing the right thing in commenting here.
I live in Laguna Woods in So. Orange County Ca. I have severe
RA and am 67 yrs old. I see the names of Denise and Melanie on the list for Orange County. Does this mean they run groups? I’m looking for a support group for people with RA
or other autoimmune related diseases. I am in chronic pain
and would like to meet other people who deal with this. I hope I hear from someone using this website.
Looking for a support group in CT. In Fairfield county or close by. Anyone interested?
My wife has RA and would like to talk with others in Lincoln. She is an interesting retired UNL Prof who likes working with her hands and is struggling with the physical and emotional pain. A recent diagnosis. Thanks. Kent
I just found this site and it’s great, but I’m sad to see there aren’t any posts in 2015. It’s so hard to be a warrior when there is no one to talk to about what you’re going through. I have a great RA Dr here in Boise,Idaho, but no emotional support. They don’t seem to be into support groups here. How do I know if I get a response? I didn’t see anything to mark to indicate that I would like to be notified.
Marie,
Im in Boise!
Fort Smith Arkansas anyone?
Hello everyone
I feel for everyone in this group about the pains of RA.
I have felt pain for over 26 years and only in the past 2 years have I began to feel better. Now that I have found something to make me feel better from pain I want to tell the world.
Message me at (204) 999-1237 or email me at ross.mymoringa@gmail.com
Let’s talk
Looking for others with RA in New Jersey – Monmouth County and surrounding areas. I am 46, and was diagnosed with RA last week. It would be wonderful to meet others going through the same thing. Thank you. 🙂
I’m needing to find a support group for RA in Shreveport, LA for my Mom. This culprit has just about caused her to surrender to it. She is 78 years old. I need someone who can better understand her pain to encourage her not to give in to the pain.
Looking to join an RA group in the Detroit, Michigan area.
Does anyone know of a support group in Northern Virginia or the MD/VA/DC area?
thanks!
Roberta
Looking for someone in the inland empire. I’d like to see if I can find anyone else with similar issues.
I need to know how to contact Cate fr Portland, Or to see if there is still a support group that meets in person and if so, where? I’m unable to email her by clicking on her name on the RA Support Group page, am I doing something wrong? Feel free to give her my email address if possible.
I have a question. Randomly I experience, and have for years, episodes that mimic flue. Chills that shake my entire body, pain and also some shortness of breath. Just feel like someone used me up and threw me away after episode subsides. The older I get the worse they are. Is this from my RA? And if so, can they be avoided or lessened? I have had RA and Lupus for years but was misdiagnosed for at least 30 years.
I’m looking for a support group for my wife in Gilbert Az area? My wife was diagnosed with RA about a year ago and has been going through different medications. We would appreciate any information. Thank you.
I haven’t found anyone in my area, would be very willing to help get one started. I was diagnosed with RA 3yrs ago. I live in Coeurd’Alene, ID.
Hi, I live in south san jose. Struggling with RA & looking for a support group, preferably online. Mobility is an issue at the moment.
Look forward to some sunshine!
Looking for a RA support group in the Cincinnati area.
Help! I live in San Diego, North County area and would love to find a support group nearby. Just having some people who understand how this feels and are available to talk about it now and then would be so helpful! Thank you!
Looking for a support group in Fresno or Clovis CA.
please help me find a RA support group in the sacramento area. My name it Bonnie and my phone number is 916 796-5058.
Anyone in Dover,DE area, or eastern MD, could really use some support.
Hello everyone! Is there any group or interest in forming a group in central/northern Palm Beach County, Florida?
Thank you,
Hello there!
My name is Cindy and I was diagnosed with RA about 2 years ago. I’m looking for a support group (or willing to start one if necessary!) in metro the Atlanta Georgia area, preferably northside, meaning Cumming, Alpharetta, Roswell, Suwannee or Duluth. Let’s connect and support one another!
I’m 24 and I’m having difficulty emotionally handling my RA. I’m looking for support in western Massachusetts. I don’t have anyone I can talk to about the frustrations and pain during my bad days and would love to have someone I can talk to.
Anyone out there near Baltimore Maryland??
Anyone from the North Dartmouth/New Bedford/Fallriver, MA area? I’m 20 years old and have been diagnosed with RA for 2 years now and I’ve finally decided to look for a support group.
Wondered if there are any in-person support groups in Northern NI. ?
Thx, Leith
I do not know where this goes. I’signed up with you guys on and off through inception but always stop because I can not find any support or encouragement or help. Most are looking for help living with ra. I have not lived in years. I am just surviving. It is depressing for me to hear of others with ra living. I am “severe progressive” full body involvement…including pancreaes, lungs, heart, and not one single joint untouched. Even in my ear canal, sterno clavicular joint. Every part of me. Now days it has even stolen my soul.
Today, I just wanted someone to hear me say…I’m tired. I can’t do this anymore. 30+ years with this hell.I am only 54 but appear 70s…dmards never worked, biologics neither even though I can not take them any more. Too many surgeries too much risk.
The hardware in my body…ridiculous. The pain…I can’t even give it worthy descriptions.
The doctors are so full of themselves.
I am tired. I am finished being alive with this. Not living.
Is there anyone in Roanoke VA?
Hello! I was recently diagnosed with RD, anyone in the Bowling Green Kentucky area?!
The link to Arthritis Introspective on becoming a support group leader…to create meetups for RA people to “go Bowling?” as the first suggestion of things to do? Insulting. Another smiling, enthusiastic, white, athletic stereotype. If I could go bowling I wouldn’t need a support group.
I I’m looking for a rheumatoid arthritis group in Orange County. I live in Lake Forest but can travel a bit. Any responses would be so greatly appreciated
Anyone in Lake Forest California or the surrounding areas? Please contact Carol BBY @ msn.com
Anyone in Rhode Island? I am in North Kingstown….
Hello
Hoping to find a support group in Sacramento,Ca
Hi I live in West Palm Beach Fl. Looking for a support group.
Hi, I’m waiting for the Houston leader to contact me. when do you think you will have one? Thanks!
I have had this stuff for years, and yet I have never been to a Rheumatologist. I have been afraid of the medicine, and I have only been to a naturpath. My RA is getting worse, and on top of that I have hashimotos. I wonder if anyone out there is in Hermiston, Oregon. I am really struggling. Thankyou.
Anyone or group in Lubbock Texas?
I’m in lubbock. Just got diagnosed with ra in February. Havent been anle to find a group here.
Anyone know of any support groups in D.C.?
Hi Marcella, I hope you still get this mail. My name is Lynn and I have RA. I’m 48 with 3 young kids. I suffer every day lately. I think I might suffer from chronic fatigue as well. My husband is very supportive but I have gone downhill so fast and have disabling fatigue along with aches and pains. I would love to be able to talk to someone who really gets it.
Hi I am 29 years old and I had ra since I was 15 years old. I have a 7 year old daughter and love alone with her. Family and friends think I would benifit from joining a ra group. I never talk about this with anyone because I feel everyone has there own problems why would u want to hear mines.so I go on day by day in pain not talking to anyone pretinding everything is ok when it’s not. I also love in rochester ny, anyone live nearby.
I have been recently diagnosed with RA November of 2015, and am looking for a support group to join. I live in River Forest, Illinois a mile and a half west of Chicago adjacent to Oak Park. Would appreciate joining or helping to start one locally. (thank you for this web site)
I am 28 years old and was just diagnosed with RA. I honestly do not know what/how to feel about it. I live in the Bakersfield, CA area and it would be nice to communicate with people that are going through the same situation.
I live in Panama City Beach, FL looking for someone or group that would like to get together once a month. I can be found on FB and you can IM me at Kelly Guillory’s.
I would like to start an RA support group in my area which is eureka ca. The group can meet at my house. There currently is no support group in this area. If interested please email me at arnellma50@gmail.com
I live on Long Island – don’t see any RA Support Groups here. Does anyone know of one?
Hello. My name is Kortney and I live in Columbus, Ohio. I was diagnosed with JRA when I was 18 months old. I am now 35 and facing multiple joint replacements over the next few years. I would love to find someone to talk to in the Central Ohio area. Though I am blessed with supportive friends and family, I can’t help but feel alone at times. Thank you and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need to talk 🙂
I live in St. Peter’s, Mo and would like to find a support group near me