If you’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, whether recently or in the past, then you may have found that the shock of diagnosis pretty soon turns into a desperate need for information.  Unfortunately, finding the right information can be difficult.  It’s true that there are some great websites out there, including NHS Choices, which has a comprehensive section on RA,  and of course you should have come away from your rheumatology department weighed down with literature to browse at your leisure.  None of these though, have the personal touch that you get from reading other people’s day to day experiences of living with rheumatoid arthritis.

Recently there has been a big surge in the number of RA bloggers out there, each with a slightly different take on how it feels to live with a chronic illness.  I follow many avidly and have learnt so much through doing so.  Here are a few of my favourite RA bloggers, but let us know if there’s anyone we’ve missed.

RA Warrior - A really comprehensive and frequently updated site which contains all you could ever want to know about the reality of living with RA

RA Guy - Living with RA from a male perspective this time.  The blog includes real profiles of people with RA and an excellent 60 second guide

Synovial Syntax - a British blog from a parent with a real sense of humour (and RA). 

Pollyanna Penguin - Another British blog finding reasons to be cheerful when living with a chronic illness

Single Gal’s Guide to RA - One woman, one crazy city and a chronic disease….

And of course, no mention of the RA community would be complete without including the fabulous forums that exist on the Arthritis Care website and the amazing work done by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society.