As for OA - there really isn't any good forum on the net for these people, it is not very active, and frequently people are referred to the RA Connect section.....but RA Connect is 99% RA.  Since there are so many different types of arthritis besides RA and OA, perhaps a different title or breakdown would be helpful.

There are many people who are just beginning their journey to identify their arthritis symptoms.  As you know it can take many tests, visits to doctors, etc., trials of different medications.  While RA people can write about their initial journey, they still ended up with an RA diagnosis.....so it still leaves the rest of us at a loss.

Just my thoughts as I begin my own journey.  Thanks for asking!

Also, perhaps a "general" heading might be helpful for posts that don't really have a specific focus.

Take care

Txnana 

RA and Sjogren's Syndrome

Remicade, MTX, Celebrex, Nexium, Lexapro, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Calcium, Multi-Vitamin, Fish Oil, Diovan/HCT

"My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter."

I second that

Lynn

Rituxan....In Remission after 8 long years

“Over the last few centuries, a process developed for separating fact from fiction, and it is called science…’the crash testing of ideas.’”

The Microbial Metagenome, Debunking the Marshall protocol

http://whatstheharm.net/homeopathy.html

Married to Rick and blessed with 2 sons ages 29 and 21, 2 daughters ages 31 and 27.  Grandma (Awma) to Makalya (9). Quinten (7), Zac (6) and Emily (4).

That's too funny.   I came here to post that same exact sentiment.

Pam

The short answer is, "No.  I don't want to wade through a bunch of subtopics."  Even some of the off-topic stuff is nice because that's what helps create a community instead of an information exchange.

There is a huge exception, however.  I'm not sure my perspecitive will be welcome, but I'll give it anyhow.  People already ignore the existing organization provided in this forum, so I don't have much confidence that they'd post threads appropriately under a new system.  Specifically, in case that's not clear enough, there is an Access to Healthcare section.  People interested in that subject can read/post there.  However, posts about A2HC keep showing up elsewhere.  When asked to keep the political arguments out of the main area, one person responded that people don't read the things she posts in A2HC, so she was going to put stuff out where it would be seen.  As a result of some of the arguments on that post and another about the same time, one person announced that he was leaving, and a few others have been mighty scarce since then.  Since then, the main board has been inundated with similar posts that, imo, ought to have gone into the A2HC forum. Healthcare is an important subject, but divisive arguments are not helpful to people who are looking for information/help/support in dealing with RA (or other autoimmune diseases).  Posting in such a manner changes the atmosphere of the forum.  Instead of a group of people unified to support others with RA, it has turned into a place where a few people shove their political point of view on everyone else.  It is not helpful.

Due to this, I no longer check the forum daily.  I try to check topics a few times a week to see if there are any newbies; also to see if there are specific questions that I might be able to address.  I check less and less, though, than I used to, and if the political posts continue, I will probably quit coming to this forum at all.  Some have said, "just ignore those threads," and if there were an ignore button for specific threads, I would do that. Unfortunately that doesn't address the problem of the atmosphere that is created by the few people who insist on political bickering instead of sticking to living with RA.

That's my $.02

 

+WarmSocks
______________________________________________________
Aiming for NED
  Plaquenil, Sulfasalazine, Methotrexate, Folic Acid, Feldene, Prilosec, Verapamil, Maxalt, Diclofenac Gel, vitamins

In response to the complaint that OT Health Care Reform is being posted in the RA section - frankly I cannot think of anything more on topic than what can happen, or will happen or the repercussions of the political wrangling going on over HCR which will effect our disease and our access to medications.  This is going to effect each and every one of us in one form or another. 

I have seen no attacks or divisivness towards people that hold opposing views on the topic; both sides tend to post what they believe in, however some people post scare tactics instead of facts which should be addressed.  As we work our way thru the facts we gain knowledge and power to effectively help control our own destiny. 

I'd also like to point out that the RA Control and Cure Act of 2007 (re-introduced in '08 and '09, I believe) is still in committee and something that AF (and most of us) support.  This also directly effects us. 

As an APer (antibiotic protocol user) I'd like to point out a difference between Lyme/RA and AP boards.  They are MUCH more political, probably because they agitate for change to the system.  Properly moderated boards Lyme and AP boards harness the power of the internet to get people to contact their Senators, their elected representatives, to write their local newspapers, and to get their voices heard.

It's something AF should consider consider.

Pip

First, I can think of no more relevant topic than this.  We may all come from different backgrounds and lifestyles, but one thing we have in common is that we're all impacted by this issue. 

Second, whenever this issue has been discussed, that discussion has almost always been conducted in a respectful manner.  People may disagree, but they have not engendered a hostile environment.  So long as the health care threads are clearly labeled, people can choose to read them or ignore them.  We're all mature enough to handle that . . . or we should be.

Third, if we say health care discussions have to be posted only in the sub-forum, what's next?  Should newly diagnosed people be prohibited from asking their questions, because we have a separate board for those issues?  Should issues relevant to women or teens be banned from RA Connect because we have special forums for that?  Of course not.  Health care reform should not be singled out just because it's controversial, or just because you disagree with someone who happens to be quite articulate about it.

We should not let this issue divide us.  We need to support one another, even when we disagree.  It's that diversity that makes this community so special.

Take Care,
Pam