Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disorder that’s chronic and painful. For the people who suffer from it, having a support system can make all the difference in the world.
In the Twittersphere, there are plenty of active accounts that continually provide great information, support, and humor that revolve around RA. Whether you’re active on Twitter, or just need somewhere to look for great insights, these accounts ranked the best for 2015.
Ashley Boynes-Shuck lives with RA, as well as celiac disease, lupus, and several other conditions. She’s a blogger and author of “Sick Idiot,” prides herself on keeping positive, and isn’t afraid to share her struggles. On Twitter @ArthritisAshley, she shares useful links as well as diet and coping methods that help her through daily life.
This is the handle of Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy, a blog described as chronicling the “adventures of a superhero on his journey through chronic pain and debilitating inflammation.” As for the guy behind @RA_Guy, he’s a 30-something man who has only lived with his diagnosis for the last five years. But he’s not short on inspiration and humor.
Arthritis Digest is a magazine all about various forms of arthritis. This is their Twitter account. Here you’ll find information and articles on osteoarthritis, RA, lupus, fibromyalgia, and more. If you like to stay abreast of what’s new in arthritis research and treatments, @ArthritisDigest is your go-to for the most relevant and newsworthy information.
All posts from @RA_Information direct back to their blog, where you’ll find information about RA, as well as other medical conditions. Occasionally, this Twitter handle will invite followers to take part in surveys and research, so if you’re into providing your own stories and insights, this could be a useful account to follow.
According to @RtoidArthRRitis, their tweets are “live curated content by top rheumatoid arthritis influencers.” What does that mean? It means that the app Right Relevance scans Twitter for RA-related posts and then brings them straight to its followers. They provide the latest in RA research and also round up accounts for you to follow.
The official Twitter account of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society in the U.K., @NRAS_UK highlights the non-profit’s efforts to bring support and awareness to people living with RA. It’s a patient-led charity, and the only one of its kind, according to the NRAS. This is a highly active account that seems to offer a real community vibe among its followers.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior is a blog managed by Kelly Young, president of the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation. On her Twitter account @rawarrior, you’ll find links to her latest blog posts — some of them general, and others quite personal. Young’s goal, she says, is to help people find the information they need to successfully live with RA, increase awareness about the condition, and present the person’s story in a unique way.
Followed by close to 25,000 people, @ArthritisFdn is the popular official Twitter page of the Arthritis Foundation. Here you’ll find the latest research, personal stories, and a unique look at what the foundation is doing within U.S. communities.
Dr. Jonathan Hausmann is a rheumatologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. His interest in autoinflammatory diseases guides his medical career and his Twitter page, @hausmannMD. Dr. Hausmann shares research of his own and that coming from other specialists in his field.
Not to be confused with @ArthritisFdn, @AFWPA is the Arthritis Foundation of Western Pennsylvania. While this account does share items of particular interest to those in western Pennsylvania, you don’t have to live there to appreciate their tweets. You’ll also find valuable links to new research and personal stories from those living with RA.
RA is a difficult and sometimes debilitating condition. When you or a loved one struggles with RA, support comes from a variety of angles. And when you use social media, these accounts can provide a community rich in information, support, and assistance.