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Chronic Disease and Chronic Condition Support Community

Rheumatoid arthritis can make small tasks painful, and people often assume arthritis only happens to the old. ShareWell has free online support groups for people living with long-term illness and pain, where members understand what a stiff morning costs.

Live groups available daily.

Upcoming Groups

Living With Endometriosis

Member-led

Living With Endometriosis

People managing life with endometriosis

Chronic Illness
Endometriosis
Women's health
1/16
Today 5:00 PM • 60 min
Chronic illness support
annrny1

annrny1

New 🎉
Chronic illness support

People looking to connect so not lonely, sad, feel hopeless.

Aging
Chronic Illness
Loneliness
1/20
Today 8:30 PM • 60 min
Breathwork for Nervous System Regulation
Ray_L

Ray_L

Breathwork for Nervous System Regulation

people to learn and practice breathwork techniques

Breathwork
Healing
Inner peace
11/15
Today 9:00 PM • 45 min
The Muse & the Midnight Quill
Solenne

Solenne

The Muse & the Midnight Quill

The Alchemy of Witchcraft & Modern Neuroscience

Meditation
Spirituality
Vision building

2 spots left

7/9
Wed, 9/30, 1:00 AM • 90 min
Topic context

Understanding rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints, often along with deep fatigue, and it can affect other parts of the body too. It comes in flares, most often begins in middle age though it can start earlier, and makes ordinary tasks such as opening a jar or typing difficult.

Why it helps

How peer support helps with rheumatoid arthritis

Peer support can help with rheumatoid arthritis because constant pain wears down mood and patience. Sharing with others who live with pain makes it feel less like a private failing.

Inside the room

What rheumatoid arthritis groups often cover

  • Flares, morning stiffness and pacing your day
  • Asking for help with everyday tasks
  • Being young with a condition linked to old age
  • Low mood that comes with constant pain

ShareWell groups are peer support and do not give medical advice, so please keep working with your care team on anything about diagnosis or treatment. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Good fit for

Who these groups may help

  • People living with rheumatoid arthritis
  • People diagnosed at any age, including in their thirties and forties
  • Anyone worn down by daily pain
Keep exploring

Related topics

These topics often connect with rheumatoid arthritis and may offer another helpful angle, language, or support space.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a rheumatoid arthritis group online?

Not specifically. The groups on this page cover chronic illness and chronic pain in general, so members have varied diagnoses, and there are gentle sessions like stretching as well.

Are the stretching sessions safe for my joints?

Only you and your care team can judge that. Go at your own pace, skip anything that hurts and ask your doctor if you are unsure.

Is this page also for osteoarthritis?

Yes. People with any kind of arthritis are welcome in these groups.

Where can I find medical information about rheumatoid arthritis?

The Arthritis Foundation (arthritis.org) has patient information and a helpline at 1-800-283-7800.

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