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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of arthritis that can affect anyone at any age. Experts still don’t know exactly why or how some people get this disease.

However, they do know that it occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues of your joints. This leads to inflammation, pain, and stiffness.

If you live with RA, take comfort in knowing you’re not alone.

Meet up online with others living with the same condition by checking out these RA apps, forums, Facebook groups, and online support groups.

Blogs are a powerful way for people going through certain experiences to educate and empower their readers.

Every year, Healthline compiles a list of the best RA blogs. These blogs provide frequent and high-quality updates and communities for their readers.

MyVectra

MyVectra is an app that helps people living with RA more accurately track their symptoms.

It uses visual diagrams and summary reports that allow you to show your doctor your specific symptoms over longer periods of time. This, in turn, helps them offer you the best treatment for you.

Download this app for free on your Apple or Android device.

Cliexa-RA

The Cliexa-RA app helps to track your RA symptoms in scientific terms to make communicating changes to your doctor super simple.

You can download the iPhone or Android app on your mobile device.

Track + React

Developed by the Arthritis Foundation, Track + React helps you find what feels good and bad in your daily life by helping you track your pain levels in relation to your:

  • diet
  • exercise
  • sleep
  • other daily activities

It also offers options for directly transferring this information to your doctor, as well as advice on symptom management from health experts.

Download this app for free on your Apple or Android device.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Support

The myRAteam app can connect you to others living with RA for support. You can learn about firsthand experiences with treatment, therapies, and diagnoses from those in the know.

You can download this free app on your Apple or Android device.

RheumaHelper

Though this rheumatology assistant app was created for rheumatologists, it has a great set of calculators and criteria for referencing disease activity.

Download this app for free on your Apple or Android device.

My Pain Diary: Chronic Pain & Symptom Tracker

My Pain Diary allows for tracking of any kind of chronic pain symptoms and triggers. You’ll also find information and reminders for tracking specific triggers, such as weather.

You can download the iPhone or Android app for your mobile device.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Healing Naturally Support

Rheumatoid Arthritis Healing Naturally Support was created to support people living with RA who are interested in alternative or complementary ways to heal, including:

  • diet
  • juicing
  • exercise
  • stress management

It currently has nearly 20,000 members.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Support and Awareness

Rheumatoid Arthritis Support and Awareness is a group that offers and operates with kindness and respect for people living with RA. It currently has about 3,000 members.

Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Join Healthline’s RA-focused Facebook page, Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis, for the latest information on RA treatments, medications, and related news. Learn more about your disease here and connect with others like you.

With over 41,000 likes, Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis gives you a unique opportunity to communicate with others and learn from their experiences. Group members post questions regularly, so you can either answer with your expertise or ask your own.

Squeaky Joints

With a fun and self-deprecating group name like Squeaky Joints, you know that the members of this Facebook page can laugh in the face of RA.

The group was founded by two women who live with RA but still enjoy living life to the fullest. It’s private and restricted to people with RA.

Send a request to join and open up a world of caring people who find solace in sharing their experiences with each other.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group is another members-only group on Facebook. It’s dedicated to providing a restorative and positive outlet for people who live with RA and their loved ones.

The administrators happily allow new members who want to:

  • get advice
  • share their experiences
  • just talk to others who understand what they’re going through each day

The group aims to provide information for members as well. Anyone selling products is strictly forbidden from the group.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Forum

The Rheumatoid Arthritis Forum is a Facebook group dedicated to giving people with RA a place to share, comment, and listen. Founded by Penny Henthorn in 2012, the group is open to anyone and has thousands of likes.

You can expect to see several posts each day, with topics ranging from personal stories to news about new medications to symptom comparisons. Each post generates lively discussions and friendly support.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy

For a daily dose of humor and inspiration, turn to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy.

The author of the blog and founder of the Facebook group is a young man living with RA. He shares personal daily experiences with the disease by imagining himself as an unlikely superhero.

Sharing his successes, setbacks, and everything in between, RA Guy provides followers with important insights and the opportunity to comment and engage others in discussions.

RA Chicks on Facebook

Though RA Chicks started with women in mind, it’s open to all genders and to those living with all forms of autoimmune arthritis. You can find support, resources, and community in the forums.

RA Chicks

Associated with the Facebook group already mentioned, the always uplifting RA Chicks inspire their fans and followers with wit, humor, support, and plenty of useful information.

Founded by a few women with RA, the online community soon grew to 11,000 members.

Get the latest information on living with the disease, join the forum to discuss your experiences with others, and share your personal stories to help inspire others.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis Support is an active forum teeming with users who have experiences to share and questions to ask. You can become a member of the group by registering and agreeing to the rules.

Once you’re in, you can join the conversation on topics ranging from medication side effects to family planning with RA to new symptoms. Most topics are active every day, so you’re likely to find a friendly conversation partner any time you log on.

Live Yes! Connect Groups

Live Yes! Connect Groups is offered by the the Arthritis Foundation. It offers social connections to anyone living with RA or those who support them.

There are also educational events and activities that help develop positive coping strategies and ways to self-advocate.

Daily Strength

Over 2,000 members communicate on the active forum Daily Strength to discuss their shared experiences with RA. Like-minded people discuss ways to cope and new treatments plus ask questions for the community to answer.

RA Connect

The Arthritis Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with all types of arthritis. It hosts online communities for support.

For years, the online group has provided people with RA with a forum for discussing, sharing, and learning about the disease.

The forum is populated by both newbies and veterans. The latter are welcoming and encouraging and dedicated to helping the newly diagnosed navigate the disease.

With multiple discussion topics going on at once, you can find an answer to any question you have about RA.

American College of Rheumatology

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) offers resources for those living with rheumatic diseases and their caregivers and supporters. They have a large resource center with ways to find advocates, doctors, and treatments (in English and Spanish).

Arthritis Today

Arthritis Today is a magazine published by the Arthritis Foundation that focuses on current treatments and lifestyle suggestions, written by doctors and health professionals. It comes in both print and digital versions.

Arthritis & Rheumatology

Arthritis & Rheumatology, an official journal of the ACR, publishes clinic research, review articles, editorials, and other educational material associated with rheumatic diseases.

It is primarily written for researchers and clinicians and is free for members of the ACR.

Arthritis Care & Research

Also an official journal of the ACR and Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, Arthritis Care & Research focuses on clinical outcomes research and health care policy, and it publishes clinical practice guidelines as they become available. It is also free for ACR members.

The Rheumatologist

The Rheumatologist, published monthly by the ACR, examines recent trends and scientific research on new treatment options for both healthcare professionals and people living with RA.

With so many forums, online communities, support groups, and Facebook pages dedicated to coping with RA, there’s no reason to let the disease get you down. Follow the example of your RA peers and join in the conversations.

By sharing your experiences with others and reading what your fellow people with RA have to say, you can learn so much about how to live every day with your condition.