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.
OOPS! Typo on my name, it is Darlene, East Aurora, NY.
Hi my name is Hollie my son CJ has JIA and is now on methotrexate he has it in his knee ankle and finger he is 19months
Hollie, be sure to subscribe to comments with your email address in case some one replies to you – I’ve seen it happen even after months.
ant in ireland can someone let me know
Hello – though I live near NYC and could see a doctor there, would anyone know of a doctor in Rockland County, New York familiar with palindromic rheumatism and its treatment? I would like to be diagnosed, I’m pretty sure I’m a candidate.
Hi, I am in the New Port Richie Fl area and would really be interested in a group in this area or maybe even start one if I receive some interest. Thank you for this site.
I live in Lake County, Illinois, is there an RA group near me? I have had RA for 6+ years, but my RA doctor told me I have had it for much longer! My grandmother had it, my RA doctor told me, “You can’t fight heredity”. I am an eternal optimist, so nothing, not even pain from RA will EVER keep me from living the life I want to!
Anyone near the Central New Jersey area? There’s a group in South Jersey but it’s too far for me to attend..
Hi KAREN, i’M IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY AND LOOKING FOR A SUPPORT GROUP, OR A FELLOW RA WARRIOR
Hi Karen,
I am in South Jersey but not aware of any groups. If you could forward the info to me, I would greatly appreciate it. I live in the Manahawkin/Tuckerton area.
Lynn Jones
I am currently in Colorado but will be moving to WI anyone know of a great Rheumy out there?? Not sure where we will be moving to but I am willing to travel since I only go in every month or so for my Remicade infusions…
Thank you in advance!!! I hate to leave my current Rheumy he’s awesome…Anyone in Colorado and want’s a great Dr. I know one 🙂
Interested in meeting people around Fauquier County, VA. I have been diagnosed for 3 years and know multiple people in the area that might be interested in setting something up. Please let me know.
Any groups near Temecula, CA?(In between San Diego and Riverside, Inland). Would love to meet with other ladies, I don’t know any:(
Thanks!! Heather
Hi Heather! I’m from Riverside, I don’t know about groups but maybe we can start one for our area
I am trying to find a local support group for my daughter and her 3 1/2 year old who was diagnosed with RA 1 1/2 years ago. Seems like the poor child is on 4,5 or 6 drugs, anitbiotics nose sprays etc every single day.
Is there anyone close to TOledo Ohio who has a toddler with RA that we can all maybe talk to see the treatment they are on?
Struggling with all of this medication in such a small body.
Finally off of methotrexate.. Daughter needs another parent to talk to.
Looking for the Peoria/Glendale Arizona location. Anyone iterested in starting a grou, or have one going?
Rebecca, please feel free to email me if you don’t find anyone. I’d be glad to try to help you find others to join you or help to get started. Be sure to subscribe to comments with an email address so you can see if anyone replies.
I’m just posting again because I forgot to click the notify box. Reno, NV 🙂
I am newly “confirmed” with ra. I really appreciate the work you are doing here Kelly. Looking for a group in north okc, ok,
I am looking for a support group in OKLAHOMA CITY as well.
Have u had any luck? Angelryanleber@yahoo.com
I’ve had RA going on 25 years now. I am 49yrs. young and I have to say I have had my roller coaster ride with this horrible disease. At this point in my life, I am so lucky to only have my wrists fused and partial ankle from the destruction of RA. I exercise weekly and feel pretty good! I am on Humira and just stopped taking my MTX last month due to it making me so much more fatigued than I already was!
Looking for a support group in Wichita KS!!??? Would love to meet/talk with others surviving RA!
I am in Overland Park in KC. A long way, but you’re the only one I see from Kansas… maybe we could email?
Lisa
I live in Hamilton Ontario….. Anyone near by???
Hi Danielle, I live near Sherbrooke, Quebec; please contact me if you want!
You’re the closest I’ve found so far…I’m about an hour north of Toronto.
Anyone in Central Mass? There is always a lot going on in Boston but that’s too much of a haul from here.
Looking to start up a support group here in Wichita, Kansas?? I have had RA for 25 years. The first 10 yrs. were my worst ever- Both my wrist bones are fused together with no range of motion and partial fusion of my right ankle joint due to the destruction of RA. So far, only surgery was on right foot- screws and nails in toes. Started on Enbrel 11 yrs ago then switched to Humira and Mtx for 8 years now and compared to the first 10 yrs. I’m doing well. I still have pain when I’m on my feet for more than 2 hrs-have debilitating pain in balls of feet and ankle-So I pace myself and humble myself to use a wheelchair when I need it. Most people look at me, possibly judge me due to the fact that I’m attractive and in pretty good shape for my age- so i get alot of people not understanding and saying to me-“You look Great-You’ve got to be kidding!” and my all time favorite is “Maybe I have what you have!?” Ugh! It gets extremely frustrating! I do force myself to exercise 3X/week. My motto is- “Exercise is a Necessity not a Need”! I have RA It does not have me!
I am also in Wichita and would love to talk more. I have had ra for only 3 years. I have 5 children, the oldest is only 7, so the fatigue is probably the worst aspect of this disease for me right now. I seem to go up and down so quickly from being able to do most of my normal stuff to not being able to climb stairs without help. I’m so frustrated with the limitations right now. I used to be very active, but it makes me so tired so fast. I think my crankiness is making my husband crazy. He just doesn’t understand it at all. Some support would be so helpful!
Hi Melissa, It seems like you really have your hands full with 5 children all under the age of 7! And to be battling w/ RA…just simply sucks! My heart goes out to you. I would love to get together to share RA stories, concerns, etc. When I was first diagnosed w/ RA back in ’86, I felt so isolated not knowing anyone nor any support goups. Kelly Young is a Godsend and her site here is amazing! Maybe we can find even more peeps to start a Support group here in Wichita. I’m pretty flexible on time since my kids are fairly grown now, only have my daughter, 16 yrs. living at home with me. Here’s my email address, terezrn@gmail.com. Contact me anytime, even if we can’t meet in person at least we can talk on phone!
Looking for a Diana Russo that posted in January. I live in Southern New Jersey. If you can give her my email it would be great!
I sent your info to her Lynn. Have fun.
Hello,I was recently diagnosed and am hoping to find a support group in the Bethlehem Allentown Pa area.
Trying to decide what medication to take. Very scary. 🙁
Diane, that is a tough thing to decide. I hope your doc is giving you good information. The RA Map on the menu has some good information that might help too. Also there is a good discussion about that happening on this post – click here. Good luck. ♥
We’ve all been there and most of us take a lot of medications. Knowledge lessens fear. It will be ok. Learn about the medications and the disease. Kelly has a lot of info on this site and there is tons of info on the web. But be careful, not everything out there is reliable and accurate.
Some meds have dual uses like methotrexate. This is one of the most common meds for RA and it is also used to treat some cancers. If you look up methotrexate, be sure you’re learning about the medication at the doses and frequency used for RA. The cancer treatment doses are much much higher.
Talk with your doctor and ask questions about the meds. What they do, how they work, what are the common side effects, how will you be monitored for adverse events, etc.? Tell you’re doc these medications scare you. Your doc can help ally your fears.
Looking for a Diana Russo in New Jersey!
Lynn
in south Jersey
ANY FELLOW RAers IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY NEW JERSEY?
Hi Candee! I live down by the Manahawkin area in Ocean County. I am not sure how far away we are from each other. I will allow Kelly to give you my email and maybe we can chat!
Lynn Jones
Hey Kelly! I am having trouble getting to posts that are sent to my email. There doesn’t seem to be a date order that the posts are in and when I click Newer Comments, there are no comments on that page only where I can comment! Help! Lynn Jones
We have worked hard to make this thing work right & we’ll look at it again! Botheration. ..try this. when you click Newer Comments, if it kicks you back to the main post, then click on something that says “view the comments”- That time it should take you to the new comments.
Hey anyone out there from Jersey? I live in South Jersey!
Lynn Jones
Candee Ramos and Karen,
It appears you are both in South or Central Jersey. Maybe Kelly could give you my email and we can chat! Lynn Jones
Looking for support group or RA Warriors in Connecticut. If there is some of us we can start a group!)
Hi Raquel,
Tanya has replied to you here.
Is anyone aware of any groups in Southwestern Ontario? (Canada)
I live in hamilton and know of no groups around but would love to hear of one willing to travel abit would love to meet some others.
St. Louis Metro Area – Let’s start an RA Warriors group!
I’m very interested! Where in the STL area??
Interested in St.Louis Mo area!
Hi all! Live north of Pittsburgh (north of 80) but sometimes come into the city – looking for a support group. Anyone in the area?
I have been having a hard time of it and just want to talk to someone else with RA face to face . Im new to this and have alot of questions about alot of things message boards are great but why why do they have so many local support groups for so many disease but none for RA? I called my local chapter of the arthritis association and they told me they used to have that but are getting away from it and I should check the many resources on the arthritis website. well the only thing in my area is to sign up for some 3 day walk- yeah right with my knees I cant walk 3 feet or a swimming program that costs like $45 and if like 30 miles from my house. I already asked my doc about therapy and aquatherapy and he said no not yet my joints were way to swollen and to wait until we get the meds right. Im frustrate on MTX for 6 weeks with little improvement and have been told enebrel next but becuase of insurance we will probably have to go up from 6 to 8 pills of MTX next month before insurance will approve enebrel. He doubled my prednisone wehich helps some but Ive been warned I have to start coming off of this soon as I have been on it for nearly 3 months now 20mg a day. side effect to risky
what is everyones expereince with the arthritis organization are they more geared toward osteo because its more widespread?
I get that feeling.
for now I guess Im limited to internet support groups. I just dont want to burden my family and friends talking about my disease all the time. They love me but dont realize how much this is part of my consciousness every day and I can see by thier faces they really do not want to hear or talk about it, I mean everyone has been nice but unless you are going through it you just dont get it.
no one but other RA’ers get it I think.
other thinkg about internet support groups is that IT HURTS TO TYPE!!!
sorry for the vent. had a hard day after MTX last night. now wide awake from droids and hurting
Laura, you aren’t limited. I’ll send you an email & give you my phone number. And we have a small growing list of people near Orlando & we’ll have an inperson meeting soon. I’ve had so many illnesses that have delayed it but we will make it happen soon & you’re welcome to help. Yes, if you mean the AF, then yes. That is what a hundred people have told me – but we can create our own local group & we can get help from AI as it is described in this article. We don’t need the AF to do that!! People all over the country (& world) are doing it.
oh and Im in a fairly large city. Orlando
Kelly,
Just rereading posts, there was a Denise that said she was from Haverhill MA that said I could contact her. Could you pass along my email to her? That would be great!!! (the post was in December I believe ) Thanks so much!!!
I just emailed her for you. It was a big help to know it was December. 😀
Marie,
My daughter lives in the Lowell area, and it is her daughter who has RA….perhaps my daughter can contact you to see if you are in a support group or interested in just talking to someone else about what your particular situation is. You may contact me at jpdved1@aol.com and I can forward your note to my daughter, and the two of you can decide whether you can help each other in some way.
Vi
Hi,I live in the Lehigh Valley area of Pa. Is there anyone that is in the same area?
Diane I live near Jim Thorpe Pa, not sure where in the Lehigh Valley you live but you can e-mail me @ teakissane@yahoo.com.
Hello, I live near Jim Thorpe Pa and only have been able to track down one other person around here with RA, which is a really good thing I guess. It really makes it hard on me because I have just been thrown into the whole RA thing and have a really poor Rheumatologist. So I look to sights like this one to educate me about RA, medications and honesty about this disease. If anyone else lives closeby please drop me an e-mail. Thank you Kelly for your sight…It keeps my sanity in check! Tea
I live near Hershey PA and have RA and today I am not able to do a thing as my left foot (toes and ball of foot ) is swollen and so painful….I had a flare up of this over 2 weeks ago, which at that time my Dr. put me on 15 day Predinone therapy. It helped while I was taking the medicine…yet…Here I am 3 days after taking my last predisone (sp) and my foot is worse than before…I have been putting off starting MXT…but now it looks I have no other alternative…I was on Plaquinil for about 8 months and still had flare ups in my shoulders and hands…plus it affected my stomach so I had to discontinue that….all this said…it sure would be nice to find someone to talk to about RA…it has changed my life drastically and I feel so overwhelmed and isolated…..any thoughts from any one would be so greatly appreciated…thanks! ~ Trudy
anyone near Hershey PA?
Hi Ladies – I’m fighting the RA fight in Missouri. Any other ladies in MO looking to start a support group?
Hi Amber– where in Missouri? I’m in the STL area.
Hi Amber I am in Foristell, MO I am interested in joining a group.RA for 3 years.
Anyone in Anchorage, Alaska??
Susan,
Contact me if you haven’t found anybody in Anchorage. My sister lives in Wasilla and would probably love to have somebody to talk to.
Tony H.
I am in Kenai. just recently diagnosed and can find no one on the Kenai Peninsula. I know your post is several years old, but I would still appreciate talking with you. The only rheumies in the state are in Anchorage, and I would love to know your experiences with him/her/them. Kelly, you have permission to pass on my email to anyone in Alaska. Thanks!
Still looking for someone on Long Island. =) Not sure I subscribed via e-mail on my last comment, so I thought I’d post again.
Anyone here in Las Vegas, NV living with RA? I have been living with it for four years and was diagnosed in my 20s.
I have so many questions on treatment regimens, things that have worked for me, doctor experiences, people looking at you like you are too young, or not really in pain. The fatigue is horrible! Blood tests really never represent the damage going on. Heat makes the swelling and fatigue worse and the cold aches the joints as to be expected, but what about the heat?
I am looking for an RA support group in Las Vegas, NV. I am 73, a retired physician and I have had RA for years complicated by interstitial lung disease.
Is Anyone in or around Plano TX?
or Dallas-Fort Worth area
Hi – I’m looking for RA support group in Dallas. I see your old post about Plano. If you’re still in the DFW area, I’d really appreciate hearing back whether there is support group. Thanks so much! Rayni
Anyone from the Okanagan BC Canada?
Looking for a group in the Bangor Maine area?
Would like to find a support group or coffee get together with other RA sisters..
oops, forgot to tell my location, Los Angeles/Silverlake/Hollywood.
I sure would like to find someone near North Royalton Ohio
( a burb of Cleveland, OH) to relate with, in person. It would be so nice to be in a group with the fellowship and understanding of other RA’ers.
A funny story. THE ONLY person I have personally met with RA is CHARLIE SHEEN’S tailor. I was back stage with Charlie Sheen in Cleveland Ohio and this one-armed man was very protective of Charlie Sheen. But I nodded and said hello to the man. Neither this man nor I extended out hands for a hand shake but at the same time we both exclaimed “RA!” And we held our “claws” up to each other.
It was a humorous moment, but it sure did feel good to meet another RA’er. We exchanged hugs and well wishes.
It would be nice to have that on a regular basis near Cleveland Ohio. Please contact me if you know of a group or maybe help me start a group.
Please help me. I don’t know what to do. I am a 57 year old woman with no dependants, thank God. My husband left me with no food, no income, no home,no car to get to the Dr, and $3000.00 in past utility bills. I have been to all the state agencies for help and they say I fall through the cracks because I have no children under 18,my husband left less than 6 months ago, he is still on the lease which I am being evicted from, and my disability is pending. I have turned everywhere, even to places I am sure I am forgetting to put on here. I don’t know where else to turn. I have no family at all surviving, and the few friends I had were in our social circle together. My husband even signed and notarized a paper that stated he did not love me any more nor could he have a loving relationship with me due solely to my illnesses. I have RA, Osteo, PSA, Fibro, and seven Facet Joint fractures in my back. I am still up and about but have had 2 jobs that I was not able to maintain. Can some one tell me where to turn next? My only other option is suicide because that would be better than living on the street because I would be petrified. I did try to get into a shelter but they said they are only available to people with dependant children. Single folks can spend 2 nights in a shelter in a 10 day period but that is only if there is extreme heat or cold. Please help me. Where do I turn. Please pray for me. I truly would like to see God right now. Thank you for listening. My name is Cindi
Cindi, it certainly does sound desperate and I wish there were an easy answer, but I feel very certain that it would not be better to try to go see God right now. He does care and there will be a way through this somehow, even if it seems impossible. I’ve prayed for you and I’m sure others are too. Please keep reaching out to someone nearby even if it seems hopeless.
I’m in West chester, not far from exton mall.
Dear Cindi, I can’t seem to find the right words to say, except that I’m sorry for all you’re dealing with. I am going to pray for you. Please don’t give up hope!
Are they any support groups in Atlanta, GA or the Gwinnett area?