My Online RA Community Has Made a Positive Difference in My Life

By Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT

2 min read

Living the last 20-plus years with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), I learned pretty quickly the social isolation that comes along with the diagnosis. I personally believe that we were never meant to do life alone.

However, life happens and challenges arise. One RA diagnosis later, and I found myself feeling very separated from the world. Honestly, in some ways I felt put out to pasture in my life, well before my time.

Finding an online support community

My life changed for the positive several years ago when I joined the RheumatoidArthritis.net community. I have been blessed to be able to write and moderate and get to know some of you. This community has allowed me to help regain a sense of who I used to be, before my diagnosis.

So, I asked myself, why did my life change so drastically when I joined RheumatoidArthritis.net? The answer was simple: the people. Our community of people who are there for me and who get it. Having that has been priceless to me.

The 4 benefits of an online support community

1. Knowledge/resource sharing

Knowledge is power, especially when dealing with a disease like RA. This site has given me access to so many resources and so much educational information — articles and community conversations that are written by people who experience what I do and more on a daily basis. By people living the daily grind of physical limitation, pain, fatigue, social isolation, disruption to work/family, and trying to be able to do our daily tasks.

2. Feeling connected

This online community has been essential at times to me feeling connected to the world. Knowing that no matter how I felt that day, I could connect with someone who would understand and was a click away has helped me feel not alone. I know I am always connected with real-world topics related to what I am experiencing. Our journey with RA is not an easy one. My RheumatoidArthritis.net family has been crucial in helping me feel connected.

3. Support

These last few years, I am not sure where I’d be without my online RA community. The love and support I have received has been so essential to my growth on my RA journey. Knowing I could talk and be real about what I had been experiencing was such a weight off my shoulders. Knowing my online RA community support is stable and always accessible provided relief like I have not felt before.

4. Inspiration

My last few years on this online community have really allowed me to walk alongside many of you, just as you have walked alongside me. Living with a chronic illness gets old. There are many days that look bleak. Then I come to our site and read an article or see comments — always something to inspire me to continue on. I am so inspired by so many of you.

Thank you to our community

I wanted to take time to draw attention to all of you, my fellow RA warriors. You are the heartbeat of our community and you all have played an important role in my life. All of you have helped me learn, understand, feel connected, feel supported, and feel inspired. I am grateful for our RheumatoidArthritis.net family.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The RheumatoidArthritis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Mary Sophia Hawks Moderator & Contributor
Lynn-Marie, You wrote my experience! The community here has been invaluable to me. I always love reading your articles because you are honest with a healthy dose of hope. Blessings, Mary Sophia
casmere Member
I love everything in your article, <inline-mention username="Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT" user-id="3244142"/> and you have become one of those people we can count on in this site. I appreciate you, and you are a warrior. Blessings and Prayers Casmere 
1. casmere Member
 <inline-mention username="Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT" user-id="3244142"/> Hi Lynn, it is so great to hear from you. I am doing well, and no luck on an apartment. The list I was given was useless. I can't affird the astronomical rents they are charging. I feel part of it is gouging. I am aware heat, and hydro has gone to high, but $2100 for a 1 bedroom apartment, even $1600 is way too much for me. I am fine, I have a roof over my head, heat, and hot food, also a nice room, so I am great. Thank you, for thinking of me. I also think if you frequently. Wonder how you are doing, how the new job is going. Hope and pray no set backs with your health for you. A gentle virtual hug back to you also. Blessing and Prayers Casmere
2. Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="casmere" user-id="3145733"/> it is always so good to hear from you. I am sorry to hear that your housing search has been so difficult. Rent prices everywhere are ridiculously high. Very glad that you are with family and do not have to rush out of your current place. That being said I understand you wanting your own space. Not going to lie this year has been a tough one. I suffered some major health set backs this year and I had to leave my full time position in June. It was devastating on many levels for me. When I took the full time position I had to move out of subsidized housing . I no longer qualified because of increased income. When my health went south I tried to get help and all the lists for housing are closed. The agency for housing said it will maybe open in two years. Which is not uncommon for those looking for housing assistance. Then as you know once you get help finding an appropriate and affordable place is like a needle in a haystack. I live monthly and am in jeopardy of becoming homeless. I don't regret trying to return to work. I was flourishing in the field. I will heal and try again. When you return back full time or achieve above certain income mostly all the supports stop. It's like jumping off a cliff without a parachute. I feel it more because I do not have active blood family supports in my life. Grateful for the chosen family and the healthy supports I do have. I have a great mental health therapist and a dietician as I navigate trying to get proper nutrition with next to nothing food budget. Life has not been easy (understatement), however I am stronger because of it. I've learned a lot and continued to learn. One thing this disease has taught me is to be able to bounce back from whatever life throws at me. I know you can relate. Please know I am taking care of myself physically, mentally, and spiritually. I could not have a better medical team. Healing will take a while. My dance continues though! Thank you for thinking of me. I continue to think of you often. Sending a giant and gentle virtual hug your way. Much luck as you continue your housing search. Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie, Team Member
CommunityMemberd8c9a0 Member
I'm 70 have had RA since xmas.trialling methotrexate. Find out next week if working. Fingers crossed..
1. Richard Faust Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="CommunityMemberd8c9a0" user-id="9764952"/>. Hoping right there with you that the methotrexate helps. How long have you been on it? I ask because it can take up to 12 weeks for some to notice a difference, although some notice change significantly sooner (hope you are on the sooner side). I do want to note that, while the inflammation numbers that come back from the bloodwork are important, it is also important to listen to what your body tells you and to tell your doctor what you are feeling. Please feel free to keep us posted on how you are doing - this community is here for you. Best, Richard (Team Member)
2. Randi Likely Moderator
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMemberd8c9a0" user-id="9764952"/> I hope that it is working! Please keep us updated.
CommunityMemberb8a4da Member
The one thing that surprised me most was the people who have autoimmune diseases and 1 with RA did not want to discuss ANYTHING about their condition, not a thing. When I was first diagnosed, I desperately needed to talk to SOMEONE intimately familiar with autoimmune diseases. The complete lack of discussion/compassion with others I knew who had autoimmune diseases, was a huge shock and just devastating. So, I found groups like this one with strangers who were more than willing to reach out and help with their experiences and give virtual hugs. This group has been a tremendous help for me!
1. Erin Rush Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMemberb8a4da" user-id="6622476"/>, I have to admit that I am surprised other people didn't want to talk with you about their diagnoses! I would think that they would be happy to talk with a person who gets it. That said, I am glad you found us and that this group can help fill that void! We're glad you're here! Best, Erin, Team Member. 
2. Randi Likely Moderator
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMemberb8a4da" user-id="6622476"/> I am so glad this group has been a help to you. I know that some just feel uncomfortable to share about their experience because they are shut down by those around them. I did not speak about my RA until I had it for 5 years. Wishing you the absolute best.
Mary Sophia Hawks Moderator & Contributor
I have felt the same way!! I am grateful! Mary Sophia