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.
Hey there, Warriors! Anyone in the Kansas City area?
Looking for a support group in the Dallas, TX area – kkdaven@gmail.com
Im having the toughest time trying to find new jersey support groups. there are tons of messages for 2010, but I cannot find recent 2011 requests/locations
Would like to meet some people online or in person in or around Lincoln NE. I have JRA-for 42 years now.
El Paso,TX anyone?
I have been looking also. We should get together and start one!
I’m from EPTX and just got diagnosed. Looking to talk to some one from here.
Anyone in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford (DFW) area of Texas interested in meeting? Informal or formal format welcome. Something to fight the isolation. A friend has Lupus so if a combined autoimmune group would be better to get more folks interested, that’s great too!
Thanks,
Cathey
catheyedmondson@yahoo.com
Hi, My wife Gail has had a recent RA diagnosis and is struggling with the pain and uncertainty about her future. She would like to talk with others about it. We are in Lincoln. She is a retired UNL prof. Likes working with her hands. Thanks. Kent
Looking for support group in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Hello!! I am newly diagnosed in Thousand Oaks and would love to be a part of a support group. If anyone is in the “Valley” or the Ventura Area, that would work too! I know that there is a support group in Santa Clarita, but I can’t make the trek. Perhaps we can start a new group if there are a few of us in the area? Email anytime to laurenawolff@yahoo.com. Thanks!!
~Lauren
My fiancee has RA. She told me about it the first day we met. I wasn’t going to let it stop me from getting to know her and let it stop her from being happy. We are getting married May 20, 2012. I know I’m going to live longer than she is, which sucks. But I want to make sure she’s happy. She’s 32 and had it when she was 21. I know her life has been nothing but heartache and pain and I want to do what I can to make sure she spends every waking moment knowing that someone who is not her family and friends can love her, disability or not.
Jose, this brought tears to my eyes. It is wonderful that your fiancee has someone like you to support her.
Jose, your wonderful, compassionate post is one of a kind. I wish you and your fiancee long and happy lives.
I am in the Summerfield/Ocalam Fl area and have not found a support group yet. I would love to find others who are on their RA journey as I was just diagnosed in Oct.
Hello, Does anybody live in or near Ft. Myers, Florida?
Hi. I live in Frederick, MD and would love to start a group or even just find one other person to help support each other. Anyone in the DC, Northern VA area would be close enough too. I’ve had RA and Fibro for about 7 years.
Thanks! amycrops2@aol.com
Anyone know of an RA or Lupu support group in the Oklahoma City area?
Thanks in advance!
Heather
Oklahoma City, OK
I have RA and in OKLAHOMA CITY…. Looking for friendship/support group
Anyone live in, or know of a support group, in south central wisconsin? I can’t always handle long drives, but I might be able to handle up to an hour away on a good day,lol. By the way, I am 24 years old, I have had a diagnosis of RA for almost 2 years now, but I think I have suffered since childhood.
Hi Jackie,
I’m 37 and I live in Verona, WI. I’ve had RA for about 8 years and just had to quit my job as the director of a preschool because of the issues I’m having with RA. Would love to find someone else to chat with. I’ve been looking for a support group, but haven’t been able to find one.
Hope you’re doing okay!
I live just outside of Madison. If you guys want to meet up, I’d love to join you!
would like to find info for a support group/anyone in the Columbia, SC area.
Des Moine, IOWA any fellow RA gals in my area?????
Hi Kelly, Susan, and Laila-
I would like to be included in the group for Denver Colorado. Kelly you have my permission to share my E-mail.
Thanks so much!
Karen
I’d be interested, Laila. I also posted to a subsequent comment from another Denver poster looking for your address.
If anyone lives in the Wichita, Kansas area, I would love to start a support group. Please e-mail me At TerezRN@gmail.com.
Hi, my name is Sarah. I saw your old post about a support group in Buffalo. Did you ever find one? I am looking for one myself. I’m 36 and the past 4years have been hell. Hope to hear from you.
I am looking for one near Buffalo as well. I live in West Seneca. Please email me if you hear of any: kristiew0828@yahoo.com
ANY SUPPORT GROUPS NEAR BUFFALO, NY???
My mom has RA and I would love to find a support group for her in buffalo also! Any info would be GREAT! Thanks
Unfortunelty there is nothing in the Buffalo, NY area. Havet o go to Rochester, NY. thinking of statign my own Blog and will keep you all posted. RA org is terrible in the WNY area.
I am looking to start a support group here in Sacramento, CA. I will be going through the local meet-up network as soon as I have everything together I will announce it here with the link. My hope is by mid February 2012. It is really needed alot of us our suffering and so many dont understand. Thank you, Sheryl email is sheryl_strauch@yahoo.com
Hi…I’m in the Boise Idaho area…yes, there really IS such a place! Any Warriors here?
Diana (dlgd)
Diana,I know it’s been a long time since you posted. But I’m taking a chance you’ll get this. I am also a warrior in Boise and have been looking for years to find a f2f support group for pain, and recently for arthritis or lupus. But no luck so far.I would like to know if you found anything or anyone else knows of any.I hope you’re doing ok.
Would love to get together with people in or around Idaho Falls, Idaho. My email is renleo@msn.com
Hi Kelly,
I hope you are ok…..I was wondering if you know of any warriors in the Santa Fe NM area? I think I am ready to share. I just worry about making daily comittments. I was in a Fibro support group, but we ended it because none of us could keep the comittment, especially in the winter.
Thanks, Janet
I am newly diagnosed and trying to become more educated on this disease. I live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and would love to talk to someone who is also on this journey!
Salt Lake city, Utah?
I have started a suport group here in Sacramento, CA the meetings will start 2/23 at my house. Here is the link to my page. Look forward to seeing anyone who might be in the area. Sheryl
http://www.meetup.com/Sacramento-Rheumotology-Support/
Looking for group in New Orleans, LA
Needing R.A. support group, willing to start one in Ashburn/Leesburg, VA area. This is so hard doing it
alone. I need to talk to someone who has this disease,
and please be advised: I DON’T WANT TO HAVE THIS!!
Do you know what I mean?
The emotional toll from R.A. is great. We could bear
each other up.
Feb. 2012
that is such a wonderful area, Janet. I’m from near there. I know there must be lots of others there, too. Let me know if you want to be added to the list here on the website – we’ll need permission to post an email or phone number or some way people can contact you. Also, if you set up any specific meeting time or place, please feel free to let me know & I’ll announce it for you on Facebook & Twitter. I know we can find some more folks that way. If you’d like to contact Kevin@arthritisintrospective.org he can also help you get what help you need to manage a support system.
I’m looking for a support group in the Plainfield Illinois area. Is there a group in that area? Are there others in that area?
Hi Kelly,
I’d like to contact Melisa of the Philly support group. Her email address doesn’t seem to be working. I tried smile@singingtimeacademy.com
Can you help?
Linda
Linda, the address is SIGNing not SINGing. That might be why it isn’t working. Hope to hear from you soon! I’d like to get everyone together next week. 🙂
Please Please Please! if there are moms in Conecticut with RA. Lets form a group. I need to talk to other people in my situation. There is nothing around here. I have looked.
Hi, I would love to find people who live in the Bethlehem/Allentown Pa. area.
Anyone in NYC? I’d like to join a group.
Not sure if my comment posted so here it is again 🙂 anyone in nyc? I’d like to join a group.
i’m in washington, mo. looking for a support group closer than st louis =)
In my last inquiry I specified Salt Lake City, UT. Now, I’ll go broader… how about anyone in Utah???
i am 42 and suffer from RA. I WOULD LOVE TO FIND SOME FREINDS TO TALK WITH
I am in Big Timber, MT. Looked through the post and didn’t find anyone in montana. I know we are very independent here, but it would be nice to have someone else to talk to who has RA.
Anyone in the Harlingen Texas area or in The Rio Grande Valley area in Texas? I am a 54 year old woman with R.A. And F.M. I would LOVE to have someone to talk to so much. Please contact me. Thank you!
I am in the bay area and can’t seem to find anybody who even knows what this is. I’m only 30 and everybody keeps acting like I have normal arthritis. AAARRRGGG! so frustrating. the women in my family act like I’m a big cry baby “we”ve been dealing with arthritis for years, buck up!” my poor husband just looks at me with confused pity, is there anybody else close by?
which Bay area?
Hi Fiona,
Are you inthe SF Bay Area? I am and am looking for a support group.
Thanks,
Leslie
Facebook support group for Portland, OR area people: https://www.facebook.com/RADSupportPDX
Hi is anyone near Tinley Park Illinois? Officially diagnosed one year ago this month. However went through years and years of no diagnosis. Currently on MTX and began remicaid just over a week ago. Feel free to email me, would love to chat with other RA warriors.
mm109bg29@gmail.com
many soft hugs to all the warriors out there.
Looking for a RAD support group in Stockton, CA area. Thanking you in advance for your response.
I am interested in the RA support group in Milwaukee, WI
I am 41 with severe RA, Scleroderma,Raynauds, and spinal pain.
I am living in constant pain and would like to find a support group in the Portland Oregon area.
Eric, when I looked up on this page I see several others in the area such as Sarah, Susan, Kim, Tamara, Linda –
If you reply to one of them, I’ll let them know. Thanks.
was wondering if there is anyone in the Hartford Ct That knows of a support group .
Hi Eric,
I don’t know of an in-person support group in the Portland area. I live in Portland and have recently started a RAD/RA page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RADSupportPDX
I hope it will evolve into an in-person support group, if people are interested.
You are welcome to contact me directly or on Facebook.
Anyone in Dallas, tx?
Hi been a RA challenged person for years and wondered if others have found similar problem with doctors. For years doctors would just throw painkillers at me. I found that all this did was make me dependent not only on the meds but the doctor. I ended up stuck for years afraid to ask for alternatives or tip the boat for fear of losing pain meds. I thought if I went to a new doctor that my doctor would find out and call it doctor shopping. I found out that you can go see another doctor, as long as you don’t tell the name of doctor your seeing. I needed to find another doctor and had no interest in prescriptions. I needed another doctor to form a relationship with because I was tired of being afraid to lose the one I had.
Any ideas on how to find a doctor who won’t treat me like an addict?