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Online resource that helps patients better understand health coverage options, choose the right coverage, manage the denial process and reduce health care costs.
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Do I Have Arthritis?
Think you may have arthritis? Learn about the four most common warning signs.
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Gout is an inflammatory type of arthritis that can come and go.
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  • About Arthritis
    Common Topics
    woman holding her wrist What Is Arthritis?

    Arthritis is not one disease. Learn about the different types of arthritis, how they differ and why it’s important.

    microbes Inflammation and the Immune System

    Body-wide inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases — and you may have more control over it than you think.

    Patient talking with nurse Newly Diagnosed With Arthritis

    A new arthritis diagnosis can be overwhelming. These tips can help.

    • Understanding Arthritis
    • Arthritis Types
    • More About Arthritis
    • Where it Hurts
    • Related Conditions
  • Treatments
    Common Topics
    Woman holding shoulder Webinar: Touch Therapies for Pain Management

    Learn the evidence behind popular touch therapies for arthritis, including what to try and what to avoid, for how long and when.

    Managing Arthritis Care Costs

    Learn the basics about health care costs and financial tools available to you.

    Man with head in hands on bed Webinar: Arthritis Fatigue Causes and Solutions

    Learn the various causes of arthritis-related fatigue and strategies to combat weariness.

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    Woman with upset stomach Microbiome, Gut Health & Arthritis

    Microbiome, microbes, microorganisms – these terms may be confusing, but the types of bacteria living in and on our bodies can impact arthritis. Learn what helps or harms the microbiome and the health of your gut and discover dietary changes that can make a difference. This episode was originally released on January 19, 2021.

    man exercising Stairs Workout Demo

    Strengthen your leg muscles and improve your stability to make going up and down stairs safer and easier.

    woman consoling another Arthritis and Mental Health

    Learn about the connection between arthritis, depression and anxiety and how these conditions can make your arthritis worse.

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    2023 JA Family Summit

    Learn about the National Juvenile Arthritis Conference, a place for families to connect, share and learn.

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    The Arthritis Foundation’s JA camp programs give kids with arthritis and related childhood rheumatic diseases the chance to make lasting memories.

    Juvenile Arthritis Volunteer

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    Transforming Clinical Interactions

    The Live Yes! Arthritis community connects patients with others online and in-person for support and education, and encourages patients to play an active role in their health care.

    Partners 4 Patients with Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation recently launched an initiative to build stronger relationships and increase recognition of our most engaged practices.

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    See how we're aiming to address the growing shortage of arthritis specialists, especially in under-served parts of the country.

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    OACS Forum Series

    The Osteoarthritis Clinical Studies Forum Series features OA thought leaders from across the globe discussing the future of how the disease can be treated to improve patient outcomes.

    man bandaging boy's knee Conquering Childhood Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation is mobilizing patients and their families to engage in studies comparing the effectiveness of treatments for juvenile arthritis and funding research for more options.

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    Capital hill Action Center

    Take action today - use the resources here to learn who your elected officials are, what opportunities we have to advocate from the comfort of your own home, federal and state legislation, and more!

    LiveYes! Insights thumbnail Live Yes! INSIGHTS

    Share your experience in a 10-minute assessment to be among those changing the future of arthritis.

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    You may have arthritis, but it doesn't have you. The Arthritis Foundation’s one-of-a-kind podcast. Hosted by patients, for patients.

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Back

It’s Not in Your Head

“The pain is just in your head.”

That’s what doctors and family members told Renee Cafaro most of her life.

“No one understood how I could be involved in so many activities one day and unable to walk the next. I was accused of making up my pain. I didn’t even feel my parents supported me.”

Renee, 35 — a fashion magazine editor now living in New York City — has been in chronic pain since she was 11. Her mom would take her to the pediatrician where everyone agreed she was experiencing growing pains. Renee recalls struggling to walk and experiencing searing pain all over her body, but she was exhausted from being told nothing was wrong with her.

Once she went to college, Renee could no longer ignore that something wasn’t right.

“I couldn’t get up to my bunk in my dorm room. I needed help getting up the stairs, which got me in trouble because the resident assistants thought I was drinking when I was dead sober and just couldn’t walk without assistance.”

When Renee was unable to walk to class, she asked her university for help. They refused to provide resources because she didn’t have a visible disability. Renee eventually had to leave school during her senior year because she could no longer manage her classes and responsibilities with her pain.

A Very Real Disease
For years, Renee didn’t know what was wrong with her or how to articulate what she was going through. In an effort to get to the bottom of what she was experiencing, she went through “a harrowing time of being poked and prodded,” often being told she was crazy.

Thanks to her sister who helped her research her symptoms, Renee was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2003. Then, at the encouragement of her best friend with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) . Renee went to a rheumatologist in 2008 who diagnosed her with seronegative RA.

“That was an extremely good day because I finally knew what was going on with me, what I was up against and what I could do about it. Now, I finally know what the nature of my diseases are and my triggers so I can plan around them.”

Because so many people can’t see Renee’s condition and have questioned what she’s going through, she has gotten good at trying to describe what it’s like to live with arthritis.

“Having arthritis and fibromyalgia feels like I light up like a pinball machine with pain all over my body. It’s a searing, burning, constant pain — like someone is dragging a hot dagger across my body. When I’m flaring up, not only do I have trouble moving, everything hurts — even my hair. I don’t want anything to touch my skin, and I can barely sustain the weight of my own body. I don’t want to sit, but I can’t stand either. I can’t chew. I can’t handle tight clothing.

“It’s so much pain you can barely see straight, and you certainly can’t sleep. A lot of times you’re forced to say no to doing things because you’re in so much pain. Or, you go to things like a wedding that you can’t miss, and you just grit your teeth and try to put on a brave face. That’s often worse than missing out entirely, because you don’t want to burden anyone with your suffering.”

The Best Medicine
After decades of feeling confused and alone, finding the Arthritis Foundation gave Renee the resources, support and validation she’d been seeking for so long.

“The Arthritis Foundation has given me the strength, courage and positive mental state to cope — more than access to any doctors or medical resources. Their arthritis community is what has helped me the most. I’ve been told I’m crazy for most of my life, but here I’ve met so many other people who have my same story.”

The Arthritis Foundation also helped Renee find something else special too: her family’s support.

“For the first time ever, my family believes my arthritis is real because of the Walk to Cure Arthritis event. It wasn’t my diagnosis in 2008; it was doing my first Walk to Cure Arthritis event in 2011 and putting a team together that my mom started believing in me. She said that if there was a walk for arthritis then it must be a real disease. This was the moment for her and the rest of my family who would just sort of brush my arthritis under the rug and not see the gravity of the situation.”

Today, Renee chairs her local Walk to Cure Arthritis event and is the chair of the New York advocacy committee. In addition to her job as the U.S. editor of a women’s plus size fashion magazine, Renee sings in a hard rock cover band. And, after struggling to walk for years, Renee became a runner.

Running for Her Best Life
“In 2014, I called a good friend of mine from college because I was feeling a little defeated. Even though I had gotten a grip on my arthritis by that point, there are times when it really kicks your butt and you can’t do anything about it. She told me I needed to do something that makes me feel capable. She told me she was running a half marathon and I should join her.

“At first I was dumbfounded. I had just told her I couldn’t get off the couch, feel like I’m 100 years old and that nothing about my body is working. Your answer is to train for a half marathon??? I gave it some thought and signed up.

“There were a lot of ups and downs in training as you’d expect, but I was so proud of myself. I met some people through the Arthritis Foundation that had run a marathon with artificial joints, and I knew if they could do it, I could do it. It didn’t matter if I was the very last person to cross the finish line, I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this. That June, I finished my very first half marathon and cried at the finish line. I’ve run two more half marathons since.

“I have arthritis, but I refuse to have my life stop because of my pain.”

Watch and Share to Support Renee and Millions Like Her
To celebrate Arthritis Awareness Month, our Let’s Get a Grip on Arthritis campaign is debunking myths and revealing truths about arthritis — like the fact that arthritis is not just in people’s heads. It is the No. 1 cause of long-term disability in the U.S., often only visible on an X-ray.

Renee’s family members are not the only ones who’ve wondered if arthritis is a severe issue. We recently asked everyday American’s to tell us what they think about arthritis. Watch their surprising responses.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4RIxXavx1E[/embed]



Please help us spread the truth about arthritis by sharing this video with everyone you know on social media.

Sign up to receive email from the Arthritis Foundation so you don’t miss the stories and myths we’ll be busting next.



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    Proud Partners of the Arthritis Foundation make an annual commitment to directly support the Foundation’s mission.

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Ways to Give

Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.S. live their best life. Whether it is supporting cutting-edge research, 24/7 access to one-on-one support, resources and tools for daily living, and more, your gift will be life-changing.

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Help millions of people live with less pain and fund groundbreaking research to discover a cure for this devastating disease. Please, make your urgently-needed donation to the Arthritis Foundation now!

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Become an Arthritis Foundation member today for just $20 and you'll receive access to helpful tools..... and more.

Make a Honor or Memorial Gift

Honor a loved one with a meaningful donation to the Arthritis Foundation. We'll send a handwritten card to the honoree or their family notifying them of your thoughtful gift.

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Volunteer Opportunities

The Arthritis Foundation is focused on finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science and community. We can only achieve these goals with your help. Strong, outspoken and engaged volunteers will help us conquer arthritis. By getting involved, you become a leader in our organization and help make a difference in the lives of millions. Join us and become a Champion of Yes.

Become a Volunteer

More About Volunteering

  • Walk to Cure
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  • Be an Online Community Moderator
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Live Yes! INSIGHTS


Give Just 10 Minutes.

Tell us what matters most to you. Change the future of arthritis.

By taking part in the Live Yes! INSIGHTS assessment, you’ll be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis, for yourself and for 54 million others. And all it takes is just 10 minutes.

Your shared experiences will help:

- Lead to more effective treatments and outcomes
- Develop programs to meet the needs of you and your community
- Shape a powerful agenda that fights for you

Now is the time to make your voice count, for yourself and the entire arthritis community.

Currently this program is for the adult arthritis community.  Since the needs of the juvenile arthritis (JA) community are unique, we are currently working with experts to develop a customized experience for JA families.

How are you changing the future?

By sharing your experience, you’re showing decision-makers the realities of living with arthritis, paving the way for change. You’re helping break down barriers to care, inform research and create resources that make a difference in people’s lives, including your own.

Get Started

Partner


Meet Our Partners

As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Trailblazer

Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. They contribute $2,000,000 to $2,749,000

Visionary

Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. These inspired and inventive champions have contributed $1,500,00 to $1,999,999.

Pioneer

Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. They contribute $1,000,000 to $1,499,999.

Pacesetter

Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis. They contribute $500,000 to $999,000.

Signature

Our Signature partners make their mark by helping us identify new and meaningful resources for people with arthritis. They contribute $250,000 to $499,999.

Supporting

Our Supporting partners are active champions who provide encouragement and assistance to the arthritis community. They contribute $100,000 to $249,999.

More About Partnerships

  • Partner with Us
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