
Support Groups & Local Resources
Support Groups & Local Resources
At Lee Health, we believe that living well with a rheumatic condition extends beyond medical treatments. That's why we offer a variety of resources and support to help you navigate your health journey with confidence. Whether you're looking for educational materials, lifestyle guidance, or a community of individuals who understand your experiences, we’re here to provide the tools and connections you need to thrive.
Lee Health offers various support groups for patients managing rheumatologic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and fibromyalgia. These groups provide a platform for sharing experiences, receiving emotional support, and learning from others.
Location: Various Lee Health locations in Fort Myers
Contact: Call Lee Health’s Rheumatology department at (239) 343-9700 for more information on meeting times and locations.
The Arthritis Foundation provides resources and support for individuals with arthritis and related conditions. They offer educational programs, support groups, and community events aimed at helping patients manage their conditions and improve their quality of life.
Location: Various locations throughout Fort Myers
Contact: Visit the Arthritis Foundation website or call (800) 283-7800 for more details.
A community-led support group focused on helping individuals manage gout through shared experiences, lifestyle tips, and dietary advice. This group meets monthly and offers a platform for participants to discuss their challenges and successes in managing gout.
Location: Various community centers in Fort Myers
Contact: Call (239) 555-1234 (example number) for meeting times and locations.
This organization offers support groups, educational workshops, and resources for those living with lupus. The Fort Myers support group provides a safe space for individuals to connect and share their experiences.
- Location: Meetings are held virtually and occasionally in person in Fort Myers.
- Contact: Visit the Lupus Foundation of America website or call (561) 279-8606 for information on support group meetings and events.
Hosted by Lee Health, this support group provides a supportive environment for individuals with fibromyalgia to connect, share coping strategies, and learn about the latest treatment options. The group is led by healthcare professionals with expertise in managing fibromyalgia.
Location: Lee Health Outpatient Center, Fort Myers
Contact: Call (239) 343-9700 to register or learn more about upcoming meetings.
NASS provides resources, information, and support for individuals with ankylosing spondylitis. The Fort Myers chapter offers local support group meetings where individuals can discuss their experiences, receive emotional support, and learn about new treatment options.
Location: Various venues in Fort Myers
Contact: Visit the NASS website or call (800) 777-8189 for more information.
Is it Arthritis or an Injury?
Unfortunately, as we get older we are at a higher risk for developing arthritis and having a bone injury. Both can cause joint pain and swelling making it difficult to determine if it’s arthritis or an injury.
Dr. Francesca Swartz, an orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Lee Health, says arthritis is actually the change of the cartilage surface inside the joint. “It happens inside all of our joints. It goes from being a smooth surface that glides easily and without pain, to a surface that’s more like sandpaper, which causes more friction and more swelling.”
But those same symptoms could also be a sign of an injury. The most common injury is a meniscus tear. “The other kind of cartilage on the inside of the knee is the meniscus. It’s this c-shaped shock absorber, one on the inside and one on the outside. It helps to protect the thigh bone from the shin bone,” said Dr. Swartz.
Patients who have arthritis are at risk for developing a meniscus tear. Patients who have a meniscus tear will eventually develop arthritis. “It depends on the joint you’re talking about, but inside the joint are many pain generating structures. So inside the knee it could be the meniscus or the ACL, in addition to arthritis, inside the hip joint it could be the labrum or arthritis, and inside the shoulder it could be the rotator cuff, in addition to or instead of arthritis,” said Dr. Swartz.
The biggest hurdle is finding what’s causing the patient pain: arthritis or an injury? If tests show the patient has arthritis and an injury, doctors will treat the injury first. “Sometimes it’s better to treat the symptoms of a meniscus tear with injections and therapy because we don’t know how much pain comes from the meniscus tear and how much comes from the arthritis,” said Dr. Swartz.
The goal is to find what treatment helps alleviate the patient’s pain.
View More Health Matters video segments at LeeHealth.org/Healthmatters/
Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care.
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Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis
Pages in this section
- Support Groups & Local Resources
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Lupus
- Gout
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Rheumatic Disorders