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.
A couple of years ago I found this greets doctor located in Virginia. He was listed in Washingtonian Magazine as the DC areas Top Docs for Rhematology a doctor Goldstein. He is great finally a doctor who DOESN’T push pain meds. The onley problem is that he is such a great doctor that he spends a great deal of time listening to his patients. I just thought that I would help someone else. Gas and time are expensive. He is also great with seniors. He treats my parents with patience, they are my mom and dad but drive me crazy.
Hello, my name is Alexzandria and I am 25 years old. I was diagnosed with RA when I was a three years old. I have gone through a lot. I would like to ave contact with people that have the same or similar disability. My wish is t inspire other people to accomplish there dreams. I am also interested in forming a bowling group or some type of group that involves people with disability. Please contact me if interested.
Hi,
Where are you located? I’m in Missouri.
I was diagnosed with RA in 2006.
Songbird- I am recently diagnosed in Waterboro Maine 45 minutes from Portland would love to get in touch and maybe even start a group. I am 35 and would love to find some local support. My email is daniellel99@hotmail.com feel free to email and lets chat. Thanks!
Hi Melinda,
My wife Sharon has just been diagnosed with lupus. we live in Lynchburg, VA. Sure hope that you are managing your lupus and have a positive attitude. Please contact Sharon at slf1953@hotmail.com. She would like to share with you.
Best regards,
Jack Curtin
Hi Melinda,
My wife Sharon has just been diagnosed with lupus. we live in Lynchburg, VA. Sure hope that you are managing your lupus and have a positive attitude. Please contact Sharon at slf1953@hotmail.com. She would like to share with you.
Best regards,
Jack Curtin
In the forest/lynchburg area of virginia looking for a support group as my head is still spinning, hands are aching but ready to plan for the battle…find it’s easier as a group.
I am in Lynchburg…diagnosed with RA about a year ago. I’m struggling and wishing I could find a group as well. Did you ever find (or start) a support group
Hi Susie,
My wife Sharon has just been diagnosed with lupus. we live in Lynchburg, VA. Sure hope that you are managing your lupus and have a positive attitude. Please contact Sharon at slf1953@hotmail.com. She would like to share with you.
Best regards,
Jack Curtin
Any RA support group in St. Augustine, Florida?
Dawn, I saw your post on the comments section of RA Warrior about a support group in Memphis. I was wondering if anything ever got started as I am interested in meeting if there is a group near by. Your post was from June 2011.
I am in Manhattan, KS
Just found this blog. Is there anyone living in Kansas?
I’m in the Kansas City area.
Hi,
I’m in KC Missouri.
I was diagnosed with RA in 2006.
Looking for a support group or support from others who “get it”.
Hi,
I’m in KCK, was recently diagnosed.
Lisa
Anyone in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area?
Hi Pam! I’m in MSP! 🙂
Does anyone know of any support groups in Utah?
I am also looking for a support group in SLC, Utah. Perhaps we could meet or chat? Please contact me at slcwendyb@comcast.net!
I am looking for an R.A. support group that is close to where I am (51 and Northern) or in P.V.
Do you know of any?
Thank you in advance for your time in helping me out.
I am having difficulty with “progressively degenerative” and chronic pain.
Portland, Oregon meetup, June 24, 2012. https://www.facebook.com/events/233743150061452/
Any groups in the Okanagan Valley, Vernon, Kelowna Penticton, British Columbia, Canada?
Looking for a group or individuals that are close to Sussex County, Delaware.
Hi. I am also looking for a support group in Greenville SC. I am interested in getting one started if I found a few other people to assist me. Thanks
Hi Christina. I was wondering if you ever found or started a support group in greenville?
Anyone know of a group near Greenville, SC or interest in one?
We welcome new members in Columbus, NE. to our local
Athritis/Fibromyalgia Support Group.
Our motto is “CARING & SHARING”!!!
Tricia, I’m just now seeing your message. I am in Oakley. We are neighbors. Have you found anything yet? Would love to know. I certainly would love having a friend to share things with.
My friend has just been diagnosed with RA and is at a loss of how to deal with it and get on with his life. I have Lupus, Fibro, Sjogrens and Raynauds and am the local Lupus support group leader. I thought I knew a lot about many of the autoimmune disorders but am finding new info on RA all the time. Are there any RA support groups in the area of Bartlesville, OK or even Tulsa? You can reach me at cammie dawn at gmail dot com, no spaces.
Anyone availabe in and around Sussex County, Delaware?
Hi Lori- I know this post is old, but I was wondering if you’re still looking for a support group or know of one in Delaware? I’m 56 had RA ,Fibro for 16+ years. I don’t live full time in DE, but we have a house in Fenwick and I’m down there a lot! We live just north of Baltimore. I was looking to start a support group in Baltimore, but saw your post. I would love to chat if you want to. Cyndi
Anyone in or near Lincoln, NE? I know the local arthritis chapter is working with some docs to get a support group going.
Kim! I know ur post is a little dated but I’m new to RA life and am looking at joining a support group in the lincoln area? my email is ekorth72@gmail.com if you still have one going please let me know the details!?
HI Janet in Oakley,CA.
I’m not sure if this is the right way to contact you, I tried once before but it didn’t work. My email is miketricia@sbcglobal.net Let’s get together.
Take Care, Tricia
Hi Tricia,
I am in the Pleasanton area and am looking for a support group in the Bay Area. I saw your posting regarding living in Oakley – have you found a group? Any information would be great!
Thanks!
Hi Betsy,
I live in Alamo and am very interested in a local support group. Have you had any success?
Thanks,
Leslie
Hello there! I am sooo glad to have found this website I can’t even tell you. I am looking for a support group in my area and found Amy in Minneapolis which would be great for me however when I clicked on her name my computer is missing something that won’t allow me to connect to her. Would it be at all possible for someone to ask her to please email me or send me her personal email so I can email her? I’m desperate. Thanks so much to whomever helps me out! Michelle in Minnesota (Maple Grove). itistime4@yahoo.com
Is there a support group in Kelowna? BC Canada
If there is I like to find out.
If not I like to start one.
My specialist is dead set against me using prednisone. Its the only thing that helps somewhat to the extent I can function while having a flair up. The morphine painkillesr dont work very well. They make me woozy, sleepy and sick.
I theink that many specialists and dr have no clue how painfull a flair up is.
Thanks you
I think you’re right – they don’t. It’s not possible for them to know and most of them can not imagine how bad it is for you.
Doctors have a variety of approaches to prednisone. Some use it in most patients and others refuse to use it. Are you allowed to change doctors if he will not prescribe it for you and it’s the only thing that helps?
I live in Salt Lake City, Utah! I too am looking for a support group and /or connection with others who have RA.
So I tried a flare up with terrible pains without prednisone. Its hell for 2 days. And the morphine pills I took to kill the pain make me so woozy while the pain still lingers and dont help very much. Plus I dont want to get addicted to morphine. Will go back to the Specialist and try to exlain how RA pain in my situation, hell is. If he does not want to subscribe prednisone on an as needed basis and there is nothing else then what do I do? Maybe I live shorter on prednisone, but at least I have a live I can live. Then apparently there is medication that works very well. Not sure what its called but ist not part of the medical plans we have and so the patient pays. Its approx C$10,000 a year. Ijust have not got that kinda money. Will keep you posted.
Anyone in or near St.Augustine,Fl?
Recently diagnosed and can’t find any support groups or people in the Jacksonville area.
I posted before but will try again. anyone in the St. Augustine,Fl area? I am recently diagnosed and looking for someone or a support group in the Jacksonville, fl area. dtowngal@gmail.com
Any one on Des Moines, IA
Jacksonville/St. Augustine Fl. area anyone?
I live in wheaton, il…….any support groups here?
I live in Naperville & was wondering if u ever gound a local group? I’m looking with success .
Is anyone from the Winnie/Beaumont, Texas area?
Was diagnosed 3 years ago with RA. Just started looking to see if any support groups in this area.
Yes! I am in Greenville, SC and have been trying to find a group in the area. I am 24 and got diagnosed about a month ago (a week before beginning medical school unfortunately) so I’m still trying to figure this whole RA thing out. Would love someone to talk to about it!
Hi Mollie,
I have seen several people from Greenville on here. I live just a couple of hours away, in NC. It’s probably too far to get together on a regular basis, but I do come to Greenville occasionally. I am 33 and just diagnosed last week. I am moving out of the country for a year in October, so I hear you on the timing bit. But nothing like med school! o_O I wish you luck.
Maybe you can look through this thread for the Greenville folk. I tell you what – I don’t feel comfortable putting my email up here for the world but Kelly can give it to you and I am going to join the RAW FB page and will put up a greeting to you there. 🙂
PS: My name is spelled differently there. 🙂
Hi Nichole! I actually meant this post to be a reply to TakescouRAge’s post asking about Greenville, but guess I didn’t do something right. I have only seen one Greenville person on this post, maybe I missed some! I’m also not familiar with the facebook page, but I will get on it and look for your post!
You should find it under “recent posts” – scroll down a ways. Timeline: looks pretty but pretty silly design. 😛
Jacksonville/St. Augustine Fl area anyone.
i wish there was an r.a. support group here in east tennessee anywhere….it would help so much….
Are there any RA support groups in the Orange County, California area? I am in the central Orange County area – so cities of Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange, Irvine, Newport Beach or Costa Mesa, CA would be closest for me, but I am open to hearing any in OC. Thanks!
Hi Mary, I live in Pasadena but travel to OC all the time. I need support too. Maybe we can meet up.
Hi Dominique – Thanks for your reply! We could meet up ourselves and/or I should mention I also attend a monthly Arthritis Support Group for folks with all types of arthritis which has a moderator from the OC chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. This monthly meeting is held on the THIRD THURSDAY of each month from 1pm to 2:30pm at the TUSTIN AREA SENIOR CENTER LOCATED AT 200 SOUTH “C” STREET, TUSTIN, CA 92780 – 714-573-3340. I may be reached at marymichaels@cox.net & 714-544-2410 for you or anyone else wishing to join our group or create a sub group specifically for RA. I am not currently working, so I have a flexible schedule. Many thanks! Mary
Hello
I have been looking for alternate help with my RA.
Since 4 weeks I have started to wear a thight true copper 3/4 inch armband. It makes the place on my arm green from oxidation. Also after about 3 weeks my big toenails on the edges are greenish from oxidation as well as my middle toenails. This suggest that whatever is in the copper is absorbed by my body.
I still take 15mg dosage of metrotaxate once a week and 2 chloroquine 200mg, 1 vitamin D 1000 iu and 1 folic acid daily. Since that time I have very little, if any, problems. I started this because I was going on a holiday and was very concerned about the fact that I had to fly for 9 hours to Europe, take a cruise, walk the various cities visited and hoping I had no flare ups during that time. I had flare ups on a regular basis, daily/weekly with once in awhile a couple of days of being ok. During the trip I had NONE. I do believe the copper armband works. Although 4 weeks is kinda short so time will tell. Also there was an arthritis seminar on board. It was highly suggested to me to visit a Chinese herbalist that will actually diagnose my RA as well and then is able to prescribe a Chinese medical course of action. Will keep you posted. Maybe its a mind over matter issue? Maybe its a different kind of food issue?Who knows. Of course the Drs and Specialist do not believe in this. I do! Thought I share this with you.
I would like to be a part of a support group for RA sufferers near:
Hagerstown, MD, Frederick, MD, or Waynesboro, PA. I live at Keedysville, MD and could drive to be a part of any group meeting in or near the above cities.
I am the mom of a grown daughter with RA. I do all that I can to provide her with emotional support and educate myself and anyone else who will listen. I feel so much frustration regarding my abilities to help her and others in the the fight against RA.
I would appreciate suggestions on anything I can do for RA advocacy. Also, I have had no success in finding any kind of a support group for family members in the Ann Arbor , Mi. area. Do such things exist? Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you, Kelly, for all the wonderful work you are doing. I know it is not easy for you, but you do it SO well !
Sincerely, Ronnie Rosner
Hi Ronnie (mom). Thank you for being my support group and cheerleader. If there is anyone in Phoenix who can meet during the day, please contact me so my mom doesn’t have to be in pain b/c she is the only support I have.
and….she does great advocacy work….I hope someone helps her get involved….before I steal her as a paralegal.
Thank you for this site.
Randi Roo
my daughter is 22 yrs old and has had RA for 5-6 yrs now…since 16. We live in Grand Rapids, MI. Have you found any support groups? We could really use one here too!! Thank you.
Hi Betsy, I haven’t found a group yet, but just recently was contacted by
Janet, who lives in Oakley. I live in Brentwood. We haven’t had a chance to
meet yet but would be happy to include you. What’s your schedule like?
Take Care, Tricia
P.S. You can email me directly at miketricia@sbcglobal.net
I’m looking for a RA support group in the Charleston SC area. I would really like some help with this. Thanks.
Greetings, Warriors! I am looking for a support group either in person or email exchange. I’m close to Boone NC. I was diagnosed with RA in Jan of this year, and my whole world has been turned upside down! I would love to talk to anyone that has been through the insurance process. They are pushing hard for me to apply for SS disability. I don’t think that’s necessary, because I’m going to get better, right? And I’ll be able to go back to work, and my long term disability is for 2 years. So, why do they want me to apply for SS disability? Thanks in advance for any advice or response! Sign me, Confused in NC
Hi Joyce,
I live in the small town of Show Low, AZ. I have been on disability since 2007. For Fibromyalgia. It got worse. I was diagnosed with RA in 2008. It took two years and a lawyer to get SS Disability. Maybe that is one of the reasons they are telling you to apply for SS disability. I have Medicare for my insurance now. I don’t belong to a support group, in fact I just found this website a few weeks ago and up until now I think I was in denial. This is new to me and I can say I have finally found a wonderful site and so many people that I can relate to. I don’t know how all this works but Kelly you may give out my address to Joyce or anyone else that would want it.
I’ll send that to Joyce for you Dana.
I am in San Antonio, Tx. Is there a group, or anyone, in San Antonio? I look forward to hearing from you.
Looking for fellow RA’ers near Berks County, PA.
Hello! Are there any RA folks in the Eugene, Oregon area that would be interested in a support group? I was diagnosed a little over a year ago, but have had syptoms for a few years. Taking MTX, Plaquenil, Enbrel and will be switching to Remicade soon. I stay active and I am 49 years old, with two middle school aged kids. Thanks.
Is there anyone in the Spokane, WA area?
Hi! My name is Stefanie and I was diagnosed with JRA when I was five years old. I am interested in meeting new friends who are fighting the same battle. Are there any Rheumatoid Arthritis support groups near Virginia Beach, VA?? I would love to be a part of one!
Would love to hear from anyone in the Reading, PA (Berks County) area.
I’m looking for people in or near Pensacola, FL.
Hi Mikaela!
I am in Fort Walton Beach/Destin area and am trying to organize some type of group here. I welcome any thoughts or suggestions you may have.
Take care,
Lynn
Hello,
I have recently retired from my position as a police officer, after a number of serious injuries made it unsafe for me to continue in that line of profession. My decision was no doubt hastened by the fact that the worker’s compensation management company representing my employer has placed profit over people and began rubberstamping denials for treatments; not just for my injuries but for most others suffered by a number of men and women in the department.
Approximately three years ago, my surgeon recommended a surgery to help repair damage to my injured knee, a knee that had sustained a torn ACL that had initially been repaired with a harvested graph and allowed me to return to work for a number of very successful years. The compensation management company immediately began any number of stalling tactics, sending me to various independent medical examinations, suggesting that the swelling in my knee was not due to the initial trauma, and then began inquiring about my mother’s past medical history. Initially, I found their interest in my mother odd, as it was I who worked for the city as a police officer. Shortly thereafter, my lawyer was advised that the management company was requesting that I release my past medical records to them, as they suspected that Rheumatoid Arthritis was the cause of the pain in my reconstructed knee, despite the fact that none of the doctors treating me agreed.
The management company then found a suspicious diagnosis that had been conveniently entered into one of the charts by one of their doctors that made erroneous mention of RA and, despite the fact that the doctor said that this was an error, they now have continued to hang onto this and use it as a straw man in order to continue what I would describe as a genetic with hunt. They have made numerous inquiries to various doctors involved with my treatment inquiring whether RA could be a factor in my case—mind you based on contradictory evidence of the existence of this disease being the truth. This is merely an attempt to prejudice the doctors in advance. This despite my repeated insistence that I am not aware of any diagnosis of RA and do not believe I suffer with it. They have made stipulations of treatment options that are offensive, even suggesting that I should put the treatment through my own medical insurance and then submit the copayments as a bill to them and that if they should later determine that I do have RA, I would compensate them.
The laws in Connecticut are very specific regarding the care of work related injuries. I have followed all of them; however, there seems to be various acceptations on the part of the State that is being afforded to the risk management companies. Their most recent offer to me was to have the surgery but to request that a medically unnecessary biopsy be conducted that would allow for a molecular sampling to be taken in the form of a biopsy so that it can be screened for RA. I believe that this is highly unethical, I believe that their request for molecular evidence would violate the Genetic Discriminatory Information Act (1998) as their intent would be to use this information to deny me medical treatment related to the workplace, and I also believe that the overall issue of whether RA is an underlying condition to a trauma based injury is discriminatory to all sufferers of this disease. In short I am sharing my small picture with you because it is obviously just a piece of an even larger plan. This will undoubtedly set presentence in the State and will further allow for the discriminatory practices in hiring of people with autoimmune conditions.
Please feel free to contact me if you believe, as I do, that this behavior is unacceptable and discriminatory. If I were to replace the mentions of Rheumatoid in their correspondences with HIV, I would expect that the public outcry and backlash would be deafening and stern; however, the lesser understood diagnosis of RA seems like a much easier target for them to start with.
Respectfully,
Tom Sullivan
Sully331@aol.com
I must just a stupid lady. I see a post to respond to bubt I can’t find it on the comments page. What am I doing wrong?
Lacie, you might need to go to the next comments page. This post has several pages. After you switch pages, you can press “Control F” to search for the name you are looking for on that page.
Anyone in the Stillwater, Oklahoma area interested in forming a support group? I’m increasingly frustrated by the lack of clear communication from my doctors, especially since my condition seems to be worsening. It would be great to have the opportunity to talk through some of these frustrations with people who know what I am talking about, to help me sort out when I am being reasonable and when I am not…
Have u been able to locate anyone in ur area or start
A support group? I’ve had a hard time locating
Others in OKLAHOMA CITY.
Angel
hi, i was wondering if there was anyone in the san antonio area. i was diagnosed a month ago and, while generally a strong person, i’m having difficulty coping with everything. from wanting to have a second child to not being able to open jars to the possibility of a wheelchair in my future, and i’m only 31 so i feel really crappy about that. please tell me i’m being overly dramatic! 🙂 i’m having one of my pity parties which are becoming far too numerable. i’d love to speak to another actual patient
I’m only 29 and I was told a week ago I got the RA. In terrified though I’ve already known before my dr told me. I’m looking for a support group and haven’t been able to find one. I haven’t seen a specialist yet. I’m scared. I’m already having problems with my hands like having a hard time opening things. My shoulders are very bad too. It’s hard to get dressed n undressed.
Meridee I’m 29 too and just found out about 2 months ago. What area are you from?