Indiana, Indiana
59 Members
Live Yes! Connect Groups offer local connections, education and empowerment. Adults living with arthritis from our local community come together for professional- and volunteer-led sessions on a variety of topics, as well as fun group activities.
We offer a place of understanding and encouragement for both people living with arthritis and their loved ones. Group participants become self-advocates, develop self-management skills and learn how to not just survive life with arthritis but to thrive.
Upcoming Events
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Monday, July 13th, 2026
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Friday, September 11th, 2026
- Event List
Arthritis Foundation Event
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Monday, July 13th, 2026
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Friday, September 11th, 2026
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2026
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Virtual Event
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026
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Virtual Event
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Thursday, September 24th, 2026
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Virtual Event
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Saturday, September 26th, 2026
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Thursday, October 1st, 2026
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Virtual Event
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Thursday, October 15th, 2026
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Saturday, November 21st, 2026
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2026
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Virtual Event
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Wednesday, December 16th, 2026
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Virtual Event
Facilitators [2]
Members [59]
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Connect Groups - Indiana
Comment
Comments [10]
Happy to be here to connect. I live in Wabash, IN and am hoping to connect with others. I have RA, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. I also struggle with IIH and eczema. I have really been struggling lately.
When do you have the monthly connect groups?
Hello Kaitlyn,
We are glad to have you join us here! It sounds like you have a lot going on, but you will find we all do and we are here to listen and help. Feel free to post any questions you may have for the group and also we would love to have you join us for our monthly connect groups.
New to this group. Looking for advice on dealing with osteoarthritis jont pain in knees hips and shoulders!
Thank you.
You will find a lot of resources here. Managing Arthritis Pain | Arthritis Foundation But in essence you basically treat it like any other internal injury. Osteoarthritis is the wear and tear form of arthritis and so overdoing it can cause it to get worse. Rest, give it time to heal, cold packs and meds to reduce inflamation. I view my arthritis as a blessing because it has made me who I am, let me meet new people such as yourself, and experience things I would not have otherwise. It is a blessing and a curse per se.
I am struggling.
I have had PsA for about 5 years. This last month I have been in the worst flare ever. I was hospitalized a month ago and my symptoms got better. But in the last week they have gotten bad again.
I went towent ER tonight. I couldn't handle the pain. The doctor just kept saying I dont know enough to do anything. They gave me a shot of toradol and a steroid pill and sent me on my way. Still struggling to walk, still in pain. I just dont know what is causing this. I have changed my diet to be as anti inflammatory as possible, I have worked on getting more rest, etc. But I am still in a flare. I get infusions every 6 weeks of inflectra.
Just wish I knew how to fix this.
Hello Sarah,
I am so sorry you were struggling in March. I hope today is a different story? Each person experiences PsA a little differently. I know some people that experience other symptoms and pain is the least of it. Some great information is here. Information for Psoriatic Arthritis Patients | Arthritis Foundation. What I can tell you is we are here for you and there are a lot of people on the forum that can give good advice. Persoanlly I got/have rheumatoid arthritis when I was 12. I can speak to that and usually when I have a flare, there is some other infection going on I am sometimes aware of and sometimes not. It can be a sinus infection (which is the most common for me), a ear infection, a bad tooth, etc. Ususally when you take care of the other issue, the arthritis calms down.
I'm new to this group. Hopefully, I'm not the only Senior here. I've had fibromyalgia for 35 years, now have severe osteoarthritis that is causing pain that is almost unmanageable, and worse at night when I try to sleep. EVERYTHING HURTS!! For years, doctors have prescribed antidepressants for the fibro, i.e. Prozac, Escitalopram. Now my doctor gives me Duloxitine (Cymbalta) still antidepressant for the pain. I'm told the osteoarthritis is called "wear and tear", along with degenerative disk -- and there is not much that can be done for the extreme whole body pain. I've always been active, walking, working, etc. and wonder if so many years of that has caused this. I'm also told that weight loss, swimming, Tai Chi, diet, etc. are helpful -- but. I'm originally from Iowa, 20 years in Colorado, back to Iowa, 10 years in Muncie, Indiana and a 17 year widow.. I'm hoping to help support others with these problems and to communicate with others who are 'in the same boa' as I am in. Thank you!
Hello Nancee,
You are who we are looking for. We have meet and greets usually each month. Keep checking this site for our events. It is where many like you have time to meet new people and share experiences. I am sorry you are having an awful time of it. It sounds like you have been through it all. BTW, just turned a senior recently so you are not alone!
What you are dealing with sounds like me. It's hard to adapt to this new life. My life is surrounded by disband due to pain and stiffness,
Hello, I am from Odon, IN. I'm sure no one's heard of it. 😊 I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis (officially) in April 2024. I was a teacher for over 25 years and had to go on leave multiple times over the last 17 months. My situation literally began over night. Went to bed feeling fine and woke up in severe pain in the middle of the night. Was diagnosed with tenosynovitis the next day and things went from there. I've been signed up on the group for a while but haven't joined a live yet but I want to. I'm going through a lot right now: emotions are not great, developing new symptoms, running out of leave and won't be able to go back to a career I love and worked my butt off for. It has been difficult going from productive and active to unable. I have always been independent and learning to ask for help is hard. I've also applied for disability, so that was even harder to do. I look forward to meeting other who are going through similar journeys in life.
Hello Robin,
Nancee said it pretty well. I also know where Oden is. My uncle grew up there and when by there I always stop in the amish deli there to pick up turkey salami and their homemade bread. You are also exactly who we need in our groups. Check this site and we try to have the meet and greet groups each month so we can share experiences. Never feel bad about applying for disability. Only you can determine when it is time to ask for help.
I definitely know where Odon, Indiana is. Many years ago, when we built our log home near Martinsville, we had a fellow and his son who built all of our cabinets for us - William Knepp/ K & K Furniture. It sounds like you're going through 'too much' to handle currently. I know for me, pain affects my emotions a lot - how can it not? I'm going to look up 'tenosynovitis' as I've not heard of it - but it sounds a lot like fibromyalgia which I've dealt with for 35 years with doctors being clueless about why and how to treat it. They are learning more, but still something they thought was all in my head. Don't ever be ashamed of applying for disability because of a disease you have no control over. We all do what we have to! I hope you'll let me know what things are progressing and those that are getting better. Know you have those of us who understand and are good listeners and supporters. So nice to meet you, Robin.
I do have a question.How do I add a picture to my profile?
Once you are logged in, your profile shows at the top right of the screen. You can click it and edit your profile
I just joined this group. I live in Indiana Knightstown. Indiana, There are not any Eastern Indiana groups available. I hope my joining is not breaking any rules.
Hello Susan. I am so glad you joined! You are at the correct place.
Hello,
I hope it was okay that I joined. I'm from East Central Indiana, but my area had no group.
Absolutely! You are welcome
Hi Brian T, my name is Thomas U. I'm 61 and have had RA since I was 14. I live in Mt.Vernon IN. and would like to find other people that I can talk with about the every day struggles of living with a deformed body because of RA. I've had every major joint replaced and currently on disability for the last 20yrs.
Hello Thomas and nice to meet you! Your story sounds very similar to mine. I would love to share experiences. Check the events section regularly and be on the lookout for emails from me inviting you to our groups we have at the Newburgh Public Library each month.
Hello Southern Indiana group.
I'm Vicki and just joined this group as I live in Evansville. Does anyone know where that is?? Lol
I didn't until I moved here in 1979 with my parents....anyway. I have OA, Fibromyalgia, etc. I came here to find people who may understand me. Because in my world, no one does. Not truly. And I'm hoping to become a friend. A person who'll listen and maybe be able to help in some small way.
So, hi!
I have OA
Hi Vicki and Brian,
I don't know if this group is still active, but I'm also in Evansville. I struggle with fibro and RA and was just looking to hopefully connect with some others who can relate to the day to day of living with arthritis. I hope to hear back from you!
Hello Vicki,
You are not alone. I have been in the Evansville area since 1970. I have had RA/JRA since the age of 12. My daughter has a form of arthritis called RSD. We are all here to help and share on this forum so I hope you feel at home and are able to ask anything. Arthritis of any kind is an "invisible" condition and it is difficult for others to comprehend how bad things can be.