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.
Dear Cindi, Where are you located? I would love to be able to help in some way.
I am in Delaware. To add insult to injury I just got another notarized statement from my husband stating that he is also a homosexual (which I suspected ) I have so much evidence of his chosing to end this relationship ( I don’t know why he is providing me with this documentation ) but I am left defenseless because I cannot afford an attorney. Yes, as you can see I am still here but I just can’t do this. Thank you all for responding. Cindi
I’m sorry Cindi. If you can hang on, you’ll obviously be better of without someone like that. Of course, it will be hard before it gets better. I’m praying that you find the help you need. Please hang on.
I’m in the Bay Area (CA) across the bridge from San Fran and would like to start or have others also help me start a support group. Any takers?
I missed hitting the notify box .. now what Kelly?
check back to see if anyone replies. and check the box to get email updates. If you look thru comments old or new and see anyone near you, I can email them for you. Let me know if you see any.
HI,
I’m looking for a support group in the Bay Area. If anyone know one, please help!
Hello F-J,
Has a support group been formed in the SF/East Bay area? I would be very interested in joining, or forming a group here.
Thanks,
Leslie
I am in Newport, RI and would love to start a support group here!!! Please come forward. Anyone living in RI or Mass.
HI, what city are you in? I’m in the East Bay Area…Brentwood.
Anyone in Baltimore county Maryland?
Hello fellow RA’ers I am looking for a group around the Sonora, Ca area. Anyone?
Hi Melissa, I live in Reno now but spent many years in the Sonora and Twain Harte area. You should be able to find me on face book. Just type arthritis in the subject line if you send a message. Where abouts in Sonora are you? I used to log with El Dorado out of Twain Harte and Davis Logging out of Placerville. I can’t any more, RA really did a number on me but I was wondering if I knew ya.
I think I’ve been all through the posts here but the last one is dated May 27th of 2011. Based on all these posts, it seems as if nobody in Tennessee has found this very informative site.
My sweet wife was just recently been diagnosed with RA after suffering with symptoms for what seems like several lifetimes. We had our first visit with a Rheumatoligist (sp?) to discuss things.
Being able to get together with others, both those who have RA and those who are partners with them, would be a very big plus in our life. We live in East Tennessee between Knoxville and Chattanooga. If there is a support group in the area or if there is just some people willing to get together and swap war stories, we’re available.
Tony, we may have someone in your area who hasn’t posted on this page. I’ll look around. Can you or your wife send me an email in a few days in case I forget?
Thank you Kelly. We will be glad remind you. I will probably do all the communications since right now, my sweet partner is having a very hard time working on computer or anything else for that matter.
Hi Kelly;
It’s been a few days, just thought I’d throw out a tentative reminder. Thanks.
Tony
hang in there. I’m looking around for someone. Hope she’s doing ok.
Hi Tony,
I’d be happy to be in touch with your wife and try to be helpful if I can. A RA diagnosis is not good, but better than not knowing or having a chance for treatment.
Norma
Hello, Tony. I am Miranda, 29, from southwest Virginia and was diagnosed last week with RA. We travel frequently to the Kingsport/Johnson City area and spend many wonderful weekends in Pigeon Forge and visit the Knoxville Zoo several times a year.
I would love to chat with your wife. Please email me and I will give you more information to find me on Facebook, etc.
I think it’s wonderful that you are reaching out for your wife. My husband is in a bit of denial about the whole thing, I think. I also can’t help but think that he think sI am making a big deal out of nothing much and he does not understand my pain. I would love for him to have another male to talk to because I am not the only one in our family dealing with RA, he has to live with it through me as well.
Hope to hear from you soon!
y’all let me know if you want me to forward the email addresses.
Kelly,
It will be fine with me if you wish to send my email address to Tony.
Thanks,
Norma Peterson
Kelly,
Sorry, but I failed to ask that you send any reply to my email, rather than posting it on the RAWarrior site only.
Thanks,
Norma Peterson
Forward away. :o)
Hi! I live in Chattanooga and would absolutely love to meet with your wife! I actually just looked yesterday for a support group here and couldn’t find one. I’m 22 and only got RA 2 years ago. I hope her and I get to meet! I’ve only met a small handful of other people with RA and it’s always been encouraging to talk, just because they “get it.”
Katie Jo R.
PS–I’m sure my husband would also love to talk too if you guys ever wanted to talk as couples. Being a “caregiver” of someone with RA can be pretty exhausting, and I know he’d be encouraged to meet you as well.
Tony
It’s been awhile since you posted, but hopefully you will get this! I live in Sevierville it’s a little ways away but you are the only person i found from East Tn. I have been looking for a support group in our area and haven’t had any luck.
Hi there, I am a british woman living in Apex NC looking to meet up with other women with RA
Anyone in the Cleveland Ohio area? Euclid, east of Clev.
Hey, Linda Racioppa. I am in Hammond, La and would love to communicate or get together to talk about RA.
Anyone from north GA? Buford/Lawrenceville area, 40 miles or so north of Atlanta.
Miranda (and Tony)–
First– it’s SO good to see YOU on here Tony. Your wife is so lucky to have you. My husband is an ER nurse who deals with a lot of drug seekers (or those like us who appear to be seekers!) and so he has had a tough time supporting me. (and i don’t blame him really- he listens to it all day) I’m glad you are on here because spouses need support too.
And Miranda- I would love to have my husband have another male to talk with. I work part-time and stay home with the kids while my husband works. The house is always messy and so he gets SO frustrated on my really bad days (when my young kids completely destroy the house)! (and my really bad days aren’t absolutely horrible- i still feed the kids!)
I am in East Tennessee– Johnson City. (about halfway between both of you!) I do not have an official diagnosis, but all the symptoms and medications. I would love to meet up. I’ll post on the facebook site so you can message me.
Anyone in Northwest Pennsylvania? Was just diagnosed in early January. It’s been interesting!
Andrea,
I am in NW PA, north of 80, close to the OH line. I am interested in starting or joining an RA support group. Contact me at leslietuk @ gmail. com – I just added spaces to my email to keep the email spiders out of my email. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Leslie
Anyone in Grand Rapids, MI area? I would love to meet!
Taylor MI here not able to drive alot
Hi Leslie,
My name is Nancy and I live in Olive Branch. Unfortunately I am moving Aug 1 but would still love to meet up with you. My email is ncnursernc@yahoo.com
Anyone in lower NC upper SC area! I’m newly diagnosed and it is so much to take in! Could use some support and someone to talk to! Thanks , Angie
I’ve been living in Miami, FL where we do have a support group. I will be moving to Savannah, GA in a couple of months and I was wondering if anyone knows of any groups in that area?
I really loved reading what I did, easy to read not complicated alot of info. just DX with this disease very informative can’t wait to check my newsletter. thank you for all your help. God Bless you.
Hi My name is Janet, just was told I have RA, starting Methrotrexate July 14, alittle scared taking this Chemo drug, really I’m very scared don’t know what to do. any help. I live in Livonia Mi. just out-side of Detroit. thanks again. I’m on facebook like alot of you, if we can’t meet we can be facebook pals 🙂 mariedolack@yahoo.com .
looking for a group in the Chicago area.
A rheumatologist (the second one I’ve seen) just told me I definitely have RA…but it is “cirronegative” (not sure of the spelling) meaning that rheumatoid factor, or whatever it is, doesn’t show up in bloodwork. I have had symptoms for over a year, but the doc didn’t want to label it right away. I’m not in much pain, but I’m directed to take methotrexate anyway. I’m essentially terrified. I’m at child-bearing age, and don’t know if I’m doing the right thing. I’m essentially just doing what the doctor tells me. I would like to find a group around here.. north of Chicago.
hi Nicole. Sero-negative means just like you said, that the Rf is not up to a certain level in your blood at this time. This is true for at least a third of RA patients and it is not a good indicator of disease activity. There are other anti-bodies and other tests that can be done, so it’s a good sign when your doctor realizes that one negative test does not rule out RA. Many patients’ Rf fluctuates so it may be high enough to be considered postitive at times.
Your concerns about mtx during childbearing years should also be of concern to your doctors. Rheumatologists consider this to be the most safe & effective disease treatment for RA so they may be more comfortable with it. But there are guidelines for birthcontrol & timelines for pregnancy that need to be considered. The decision is much easier when you are in horrible pain, but I can also see that the doctor wants to avoid that for you. Your doctor wants to help slow damage or prevent the RA from becoming more severe, but I hope he will listen to what you want too. You need to be comfortable with your decision. It’s your decision.
Finally, I’d recommend that you read more about methotrexate to see if your questions are answered. If you click on the Tags List near the top of the page, you can click on methotrexate to get a list of articles about it here. I hope that helps.
I am moving to Honolulu Hawaii next month. Wanted to know if there is a group or someone there?
I live in western mass… Anyone close? I’m 31 and was diagnosed 3 years ago. Have been on plaquenil since then and things have only gotten worse. Dr wants me to go on methotrexate but I’m nervous. Would love a local group. Send me a message at tmstrong98 at gmail dot com.
I looked through most of the post but can’t find anyone from the Cleveland Ohio area…anyone?
I forgot to sign up for reply emails. lol
Anyone from the Cleveland Ohio area?
Robyn
Just found this section on the RAWarrior site… I’m in Spring, TX! Really close to the Woodlands…have y’all found a support group. I was diagnosed with RA a out 12 years ago and with Lupus about 6… It would be great to talk, text, email with someone else in close proximity that “gets it”! Maybe we can get together, I’ve never found one close to me. Send me an email if you have the time. Love to hear from you !
Lori, if Robyn doesn’t get back to you soon, let me know. I could send her your email if you want me too. No emails are given out without specific permission so no worries.
Hi Robyn. Just found the website but if you’re still looking for someone with RA.. I’m here. I know it’s been years since you commented on the page but hopefully your still in Spring, Tx.
I am a fellow CT resident. Can you have Kelly supply my email address (or Kelly, if you see this first can you give me Raquel’s email address). Would love to swap info and stories.
Tanya, I’ll send her an email for you in case she has not subscribed to comments. Good luck!
Hi Kelly I was excited to see a woman from St. Louis! I sent her a email and it came back that it was not a good email..bummer..Do you know Mary Kay from St. Louis? Would love to find someone and start a group..Thanks again Kelly
Newly diagnosed, hurting and worried. Anyone in the Eugene, Oregon area?
Hi Tami,
Portland is a couple hours from you, but maybe you’re interested in this FB page for people with RA in the Portland area? https://www.facebook.com/RADSupportPDX
Newly diagnosed, hurting and worried. Anyone in the Eugene, Oregon area? First visit with RA doc Sept 8
Hi I (was) a very active 44 year old male in the gym one and a half to two hours a day…until RA. Now life has taken a different course. Its hard for my family and co-workers to understand. Thats why I would like to find a local group of people I can talk to that understand, and have helping advices.
Anyone in the Bethlehem,Pa area?
Is anyone in the Lehigh valley Pa ?
Hi, looking for a support group in Glendale, AZ. Peter from Phoenix, AZ – I would be interested in joining your group.
Does anyone know of a support group in East Tennessee? murrell.courtney@yahoo.com
anyone in Huntsville, Alabama?
Hi Kim
I’m in Masaryktown Florida. Just in case you don’t recognize the town, I live in the South – East part of Hernando County. I noticed that Destin is in the panhandle area of Florida. Would you want to talk via email?
Hope this message finds you with a little less pain today.
Take care
Charity
Hi+ I live in Masaryktown, Florida which is in Hernando County. Is there anyone near me?
Anyone in the Princeton, NJ or New Brunswick, NJ area????
I live about an hour from you.
Marge, I am located between princeton and new brunswick nj…
marge, I live between princeton and new brunswick…
I LIVE IN MORRISVILLE, PA JUST ACROSS THE BRIDGE FROM NJ STATE CAPITAL. ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO 30 MINUTES FROM PRINCETON NJ.
Hi Vicky,
I live in Woodinville which is just 25 minutes North of seattle. I am looking for someone to chat with about RA. I was diagnosed last March and have started on Humira this month. I am female and just turned 36. If you would like to talk to me please email at purpledahlias@yahoo.com.
Thanks Sophia
MARGE, THAT IS THE STATE CAPITAL OF TRENTON, CLOSE TO RT.1 AND I 95.
Is there a group in Ventura County, CA or San Fernando Valley, CA??
West LA is too far from me.
Thank you 🙂
Is there a group in Ventura County, CA or San Fernando Valley, CA??
West LA and Santa Clarita are way too far from me.
Thank you 🙂
what are some of the barriers to starting a local ra group. i would like to start a group in ohio but i need to anticipate some of the problems i will encounter. thank you
anyone in northwest ohio?
Anyone in the north Dallas, TX area? would love to join a group- I live in Princeton, Texas – not close enough to Tyler but wish I was – maybe we can meet in the middle – Greenville?
forgot my e-mail address – kkdaven@gmail.com put RA group in subject line – look forward to hearing from “Someone”!
I am in New Smyrna Beach, FL. I would like to stay in my immediate community to find a support group or start one myself.
Corrine, I must be about an hour from you and have spent many special days at NSB. I’d love to help you with that if I can. If you’ll contact me by email, I’ll introduce you to my good friends at AI who are tremendous at helping set up group for local RA support. I’d also gladly help advertise the new meetup or look for members. Please email me at kelly @ rawarrior.com – but fair warning that I’m behind on emails right now.