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.
Morrisville is in Pa.
I’m located in Mt. Bethel, PA have you found any local group in Eastern, PA?
Rose, I live in Whitehall Township. I have not been able to find any support groups in this area.
Hi Diane,
I am also Diane. I live in Quakertown and was just diagnosed last Friday. Looking for support group also. Have you come up with anything?
Hi. I’m in Bucks County, PA. My daughter, who lives in NJ, has been staying with us due to her health problems. She was diagnosed about 5 years ago. She’s only 40. She also is a Type I diabetic. She can’t take any of the biologics, like Embrel or Humira, due to the increased risk of infection. We’re searching for any suggestions for treatment. Good luck to all of you….
Robin,
I live just up in Huntsville.My rheumy is in The Woodlands.Nice to see someone else in these parts.
Cat, lmk if you need any help to exchange email. It’s ok to put them on here if you want. Maybe put a space between the words to confuse the spam spiders.
Cathy, I am approx. 25 miles south of Huntsville just below Montgomery County Line.
Thanks Kelly,
Her name was so familiar that I could just taste it.It turns out that she is on my FB friends list.I guess I need to go through and re-organize that list!But thank you very much for the offer.
I hope to catch up on everything via the website and FB page as I can see a little clearer now.
I live in the Auburn – Opelika, AL area. Looking for support group !
I live in Georgia, (Macon area) and have yet to find a RA support group anywhere near here. I would be willing to drive 45-60 miles to meet with a group. Someone let me know if they know of anything in this area.
To Melissa, I live in Morrisville PA. You can reach me at ddob129——. It is north of philly.I have aol. Diane
Did you get my email, Diane?
Hi, I’m in Tallahassee, Florida.
Any groups here or nearby?
anyone near Delaware County, Pa area?
I’m in Philly, Anna!!
Hi Melissa, I am in south jersey. Please email me to chat. I have no support group in my area. It would be great to chat. Lynn
I didn’t get email Melissa, try it again. TY, Diane
I tried it again. Maybe Kelly can help us connect. 🙂
Done. Email sent. 😀
I’m looking for a group in/around Belton, Tx. If you’re near, Kelly has my email address. Please get in touch. Also, I’m on the RAW Facebook page as well. Thank you!
Anyone live close to Little Elm, TX? (It’s just north of Dallas.) I just moved here from FL and haven’t met too many people here. I was diagnosed with RA in 2005 after several years of pain, surgeries, and wrong diagnosis. Just recently had blood test for Lupus and came back low-positive, whatever that means. Just another autoimmune disease to add to the list…lol. Would love to get together with someone nearby who knows exactly what I’m going through.
Alicia I live n Plano, TX, Close to Frisco
I live in Plano TX too! I would love to meet if possible 🙂
Kelly – I cannot figure out how to contact Laila above, who is looking for others in the Denver, CO area. Doesn’t look like she linked her name with an email. I am in a suburb of Denver and would love to connect. Can you help? Thanks, and I love your website. I am newly diagnosed and the information here has been extremely helpful!
Susan, in these cases, I’m willing to send an email. Let me know if I have your permission to send her your email address, ok?
Sure, Kelly, that would be okay!
I’d be interested in a group in Denver, CO.
Thanks!
Karen
Oh Kelly-
Please feel free to share my E-mail with those in Denver.
Thanks so much for everything you are doing.
Karne
Dear Karen,
I’ve sent your email address to Susan and Laila.
Phyllis I live in Gulf Shores also and would love to get together a local chapter for The Arthritis Association Alabama Chapter. Do you know of anyone else in our area that would like to join also.
Please email me @ onen7susan@yahoo.com or feel free to call 223-3087, I live off of county road 4 by the new Publix. I hope that you are as excited as I about getting something going down here……….Soft Hugs, Susan
Susan, That’s great news! Let me know if you need any help or if you’d like me to announce your meeting time or be listed on this page. 🙂
I live in Mobile, Al and would love to get a group started. I’m willing to help in anyway I can. It would be great to talk to other people who really understand what I go through.
Anyone in the Atlanta, GA area?
Hi, Im in the atlanta area, fairburn to be exact
I wish I met you while I was there last week! But I do know a couple of folks there. Do you want me to send them your email just in case you all want to meet?
Hi Kelly, that would be fine. Thanks
Alec, I’m in the Hotlanna area! Gwinnett County area. You can reach me by leaving a comment on my blog (click my name beside my picture to be taken there).
Cheerio!
Elizabeth
I’m in Decatur, Georgia!
Anyone in Montana?? (rolls eyes lol). NO one is in Montana haha but it’s worth a shot!
Anyone in southern Oregon? Medford area
Hi Sarah, I’m in Klamath Falls!
Hi Ronda!
I live in Central Point Oregon and would love to correspond with you thru E-mails,etc. I have had RA for 11 years and it would be great to have someone to talk to that also has the disease. Please E-mail me if interested.
Thanks!
Linda R
Would like to, but don’t have your e-mail. Are you on Face Book?
I pass on emails often when I’m asked to. So, y’all let me know if you need any help w/that.
Hi Sarah,
I live in Medford 🙂
I live in rogue river
where in Detroit? I’m in Ann Arbor. Newly diagnosed and looking for support groups
Looking for anyone in or near Plymouth, Massachusetts, would really like someone close by to talk too!!
Hi I live in Auburn, AL. Im new to the area so I don’t know how far mobile is from here. I am interested in a support group also. Take care
Cristina, after a while someone may still reply – can you subscribe to comments using your email or check back. I know we have several warriors in Alabama. Every now & again I remind folks to come in here & check it out.
Anyone in Auburn,AL?
Anyone in the Whittier, CA area or someone near : Brea/La Mirada/La Habra/San Gabriel
Does anyone know if there is an RA support group in either Berks or Chester County PA??
Information is greatly appreciated!!
Thanks,
Cathy
Anyone out there with RA from the Muscle Shoals/Florence, (Northwest) Alabama area?
There are a bunch of folks in Alabama – I hope one comes back to reply soon. 🙂 (I recommend folks subscribe to comments using email addresses.)
The link to the arthritis support group doesn’t work. I filled out all the information and why I would be willing to start a group, and then when I would try to submit it, an error message would always pop up saying that “it appears that [your email address] is not a valid email address,” and so I tried 3 different email addresses that I use all the time, and it would not accept any of them, so I couldn’t submit my info.
Dianece, I’m not sure I understand what you are saying. I’m sorry about that – send me an email to kelly @www.rawarrior.com & tell me exactly who you are trying to contact & what you need. I’ll do my best.
Hello to Dee Maxwell! 😀
I’m not sure if there are any support groups in Tulsa. You might contact your local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation to find a group closer to you. On the other hand, if you visit Norman now and then you are more than welcome to join my new group! 😀 My website is http://www.arthritisintrospective.org/ss014ok.htm
Also, my email is hteaton @ gmail .com
Feel free to contact me! We are a brand new group, haven’t even had our first meeting yet, so you haven’t missed anything, lol. I’m also on Facebook, friends with Kelly, so you can find me there too. Hope we get to meet each other in person! 😀
Hi Amy,
I am in the Concord area, and have been looking for a group in my area. I am desperate, so I am willing to go to San Jose. Any info would be so appreciated.
Thanks!
This is a good site with excellent information but I just hate the “chickie” thing. Keep up the good work.
Linda
Linda, I can’t figure out what you mean. You can email me if you like. kelly @ rawarrior.com
Hi Kelly- Were you able to find any support groups in your area? I’m in San Jose and noticed someone else posted back in August who’s also in San Jose.
I didn’t read all the comments, just the latter part… Anyone from Northern Mass/southern NH? I live in Salem, NH. Would love to meet others!!
Hi Marie,
Go ahead & look through the comments. That’s the best thing to do. Then if you happen to comment to someone & they don’t reply, I’ll be glad to send them your email address if you want.
Hi Marie,
I’m not sure if you’re still checking back, but I’m in Haverhill if you’d like to get in touch?
Denise
Hi, I have been recently diagnosed with RA. Looking for a group in the Elgin Il area, or willing to start one at my home for now. Thank you
Diane, I sent you an email with some info. Let me know how it goes if you need help advertising a new group in your area.
I live in lower Bucks county Pa., Morrisville.Reasonable distance to King of Prussia, Valley Forge,Exton, and Philly. I am on facebook Diane L
Kelly you can send Melissa from Philly my email. Thank you.
I live in Las Cruces, New Mexico…near El Paso, TX..anybody in the area, I would love to talk to other RAers!
I would love to find a support group in the Indianapolis, Indiana area. Please let me know if anyone is aware of one. Thank you!
Hi Rachael! I’m from Indy and go back to visit family that still lives there. Feel free to send me an email! It definitely is nice when there are people to talk to who understand :).
Becky,
I wasn’t able to send you a direct email about possibly getting together when you are in Indianapolis visiting or talking by phone, text, or email whenever. It would be great to have someone else to talk to who understands me and my disease!
My email address is krjnhyndman@aol.com. If you have trouble with that for some reason, I’m sure that Kelly would help us out!
Can’t wait to hear from you soon!
Rachael
I have a question for someone…and don’t know where to put it. Can someone help? Thanks.
Ruthe, There’s a search box you could use to look for the right post to post your question. Or send me an email & I’ll reply as soon as I can. kelly @ rawarrior.com
I am wondering if anyone has brain stem compression due to RA? I am experiencing this after having RA for 50 years. I have basilar invagnation with brain stem compression. Had surgery for this in 2003. Doctors now say there is nothing more they can do. Interested in knowing what symptons any one who has this is experiencing.
Phyllis, I’ll see if I can find anyone who can reply to you who has it. Did you already go to the posts on that?
Milissa and Lynn I am in Morrisville Pa. Where in so. Jersey are you?
I am in a small town called West Creek. It is close to Manahawkin, Long Beach Island, or Tuckerton. Everyone recognizes those names. I think Kelly can give you my email address. Thanks
Done. 🙂
Thanks Kelly!
Anyone in Mpumalang, South Africa?
Anyone in or around Cedar Rapids, Iowa?
I too am in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Newly diagnosed and looking for someone to talk to about this new chapter of life!
Hi Sarah,
I live in Central Point and have RA. I would be very interested in chatting with you. I know no one else with RA and would like the support. I do not believe there are any support groups in the Medford/Central Point area, do you?
Hoping to hear from you!
Linda R.
Anyone in the NE of Atlanta GA area? I’m in Gwinnett County. Have had RA for ??? but diagnosed for sure in 2005 when I went sero-positive and had a positive MRI of my R knee (the L one is going now). I do mostly internet and phone contacting, but I’d be glad to help get a group started up here. I know of several people who have RA, and there are a couple of Rheum’s around here. I could contact them about putting up a sign and some brochures in their offices.
Just let me know if there is anyone out there who wants this.
Cheerio!
Elizabeth
Forgot to mention – you can contact me by leaving a comment on my blog. You can get to my blog by clicking on my name by my picture.
Cheerio!
Elizabeth
Since posting the above, I started a monthly Meet-Up for rheumatoid autoimmune disease patients. So far we have two of us. We meet the third Saturday of the month at Applebee’s in Lawrenceville (Corner of Pike Street (Hwy 120) and Hurricane Shoals) 11:30am. At least until May, the website is:
http://www.meetup.com/Lawrenceville-RA-Meetup-Group/
If we don’t have more people by then, I’ll have to cancel the website (it’s costing me quite a bit), and just go by word of mouth and postings on various RA fora and FB pages.
Looking for MORE PEOPLE! I KNOW there are people in Lawrenceville and environs!
Cheerio!
Elizabeth
Been living with RA forn just 7 months or so. I already see the need to share with those who would know where I’m coming from.I’m in Poughkeepsie,N.Y. Is there anybody out there?
Kelly and Central Florida RAers –
Let’s make a new year’s resolution to meet early in the year. I don’t mind a bit of a drive to get together. Whataya say?
any one in the Bergen County, New Jersey area? Dx with RA about 6 months ago. For the last month not doing well. would love to meet, share inof, MD opinions, etc
Hi Nancy! I live in Ocean County. I would love to chat with you about RA. I was diagnosed about 1 1/2 years ago and am not having success with the biologics I am on. Kelly you can forward my email address to Nancy. Lynn
Pingback: Tweets that mention Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior | RA Education | Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Groups -- Topsy.com
I there anyone out there in the Indianapolis area that knows of a support group?
Thanks
Tammy
Westfield,IN
Tammy,
I don’t know of a support group in the Indy area but I live in Plainfield (west-side) and would love to get together sometime if you would like!
Rachael
Still looking for someone near the South New Jersey area. Just started Remicade Infusions and doing very well. Anyone interested in chatting let me know!
Lynn
Hey everyone!! I live in Prattville Alabama…near Montgomery. Is there anyone near me?
Hi! Anyone in western Massachusetts?
Looking in the Hayward, CA area for a group.
Anyone in the East Aurora, NY area? Trying to get some local swimming, exercise, yoga (for RA) etc. programs going in this area. Most of the programs are a distance away and/or not at times I am available as I still work (part-time).