Finding Community and Support Through the RA Healthline App

Healthline has created such a positive network, community, and resource for those of us living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or rheumatoid disease (RD).

It’s been almost a month since the RA Healthline app launched and in this post I want to share my favorite features and why I am still excited about this growing community for anyone living with RA or RD.

If you haven’t joined yet, you must download the free app today!

FAVORITE FEATURES:

Live Chats

I talked about the daily live chats in my first blog post and they are still my favorite feature. If you haven’t checked it out yet, live chats occur in each of the different Groups at least five days each week. The chats are hosted by our RA Guide, Ashley, or by a Guest Co-Host such as myself. 

In fact, Thursday night, June 25, at 8pm ET/5 pm PT in the Diagnosis Group, I will be hosting a chat on the subject of RA diagnosis—Who Diagnosed Your RA? For me, it wasn’t a rheumatologist who initially said, “I think you have RA.” It was my hand surgeon. 

Groups

The groups themselves are my next favorite feature. This section is organized by tabs that lead you to ongoing discussions surrounding different categories. Not everything is about RA though. My favorite group is the “Escape from RA” group. Other favorites include the “Mental and Emotional Health”, “General Health”, and “Daily Life” groups. 

But that’s only 4 out of the 15 groups!! So much to choose from and so many discussions to explore. 

By entering a group, you will find conversation threads pertaining to the overall group topic. It’s easy to navigating through the threads, ask a question, answer a question, leave a comment, or simply offer words of support. 

Community

It’s not always easy to talk about your disease, to truly be open and honest. The community is growing every day and the conversations are rich and bountiful. Within the RA Healthline community, you will find people who totally “get it.” It’s a place you can be vulnerable and give comfort. Most importantly there’s always room for you to add your voice!!

THE IMPACT OF RA HEALTHLINE:

Have you ever wanted to easily find articles about RA. relationships, diet, exercise, symptoms, treatments, or more? The RA Healthline app will notify you of an article of the day each morning. Within the app, additional material from their main website are highlighted. It’s like having access to the Healthline website within the app itself.

Have you ever wanted to ask a question about RA or about dealing with friends who don’t understand? Here is where you can do that and receive responses from a broad community of people living with the disease. And you don't need to be tied to your computer to do so. The app goes wherever you go.

RECAP:

RA Healthline app offers different types of support all wrapped up in one location. In short, the app provides:

• Connection with real people living with RA
• Live chats covering all sorts of topics
• Informative Healthline articles and resources
• A place to give and receive advice and support
• Portability — It goes with you wherever you have your phone.
• Everything at your fingertips, literally

Are you looking for support and a community who understands? Download the free app here (Apple or android). Create an account. And jump right in!! I hope to meet you there!