Do you belong to the church? A lot of times the ministers will give counseling.

I also want to add I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. It can be tough.

Many hospitals, especially if linked to a medical school, offer low cost or free counselling. They use people doing their internships for MA level degrees or even PhD degrees. Most offer diagnostic appointments with psychiatrists in their residencies. Try calling the United Way as they often keep numbers for those to call when you need help. Your telephone book will have numbers as well for such things as Social Services for your state. If you live in a smaller town, you can contact the town clerk's office to see who might help you locally as most offer free care in order to get certain funds from the feds.

Your profile says you live in Las Vegas and there is a med school there(if I recall...my cousin lived in LV) and I bet a call to them would yield lots of info on where to get help for yourself.

I have severe PTSD and RA and the emotions do play into the illness. Stress can really trigger Ra flares. I'd be glad to talk to you if you'd think that would help. Just let me know.

Worse comes to worse, your rheumy should be able to guide you to some help unless you don't feel your rheumy can be trusted with your emotional problems...some can't be trusted and others are great.

Sorry for your conundrum.

gentlle hugs................Jen

Hospitals often offer low cost or free group counseling and support groups. Call your local hospital and ask to speak with a social worker there.

If you live near a major university that offers Master's or Doctorate degrees in Clinical Pyschology or Counseling Psychology, the students at the end of the program need to do an internship under the supervision of a licensed professional. This is a good place for individual counseling. True, they're not experienced, but they have the resources to help you.

Thank you 2leftfeet! I've been meaning to find a church but by the time weekend rolls around I'm so exhausted I don't really get energy until late afternoon/ evening, by the time church is over lol. This is a good idea though thank you I will work on getting to the church.

51percent, I hadn't thought of that thank you for the advice. I do agree stress can play it a big factor into flares, and I often wonder if being in a nine-year abusive relationship factored into this because I was constantly living in fear, having panic attacks. I'm over it now, but I've read about how too much stress can cause the HPA axis which regulates cortisol to become unbalanced if that's the case I can work on correcting that. Thank you for your advice, it would be nice to have someone to talk to. Everyone here is sone helpful.

The main thing I'm trying to figure out right now is insurance if anyone knows about this I would greatly appreciate any advice.

I was unemployed for a short while when I started getting joint pains I didn't have insurance so I signed up for Medicaid. I got a job 2 months ago and my new insurance doesn't kick in for one more month. Am I still supposed to keep the Medicaid until the new insurance kicks in? And will my new insurance accept me with having ra?

I do not know about dropping the other insurance or not. You should talk to the Medicaid or the new insurance company. It is my understanding insurance companies are not allowed to ask you about pre-existing conditions. I thought the only thing they could ask you is how old you were or if you smoke.