Information and opinions on health from JacRad at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/8236/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/8236/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/8236/index http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/8236/9171/back Thu, 03 May 2007 10:19:00 -0400 JacRad From what I have read RA doesn't really affect your spine and back all that much.  However, for the longest time, even before I was diagnosed, I will have soreness in my upper back, like between my shoulders.  Recently I noticed it has been sore around the same time that my shoulders may be flaring up a bit.  Is this because of the RA or probably because of the way I'm sleeping or something.  Anyone have any ideas?   http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/8236/9171/back http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/8236/7500/intera Tue, 13 Mar 2007 11:01:00 -0400 JacRad I was started on Plaquenil the end of January and was told it was an antibiotic that is used to treat malaria.  That being the case, does anyone know if it will have an effect on my birth control pills since sometimes antibiotics effect how they work.  My husband and I are not looking to get pregnant at this stage in the game.  http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/8236/7500/intera http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/8236/7456/So Mon, 12 Mar 2007 08:26:00 -0400 JacRad Cortisone shot lasted about a day.  As of Saturday, the pain had returned to my knee and yesterday swelling began again.  This morning, feeling somewhat better, but unsure of what the day holds.  I had a systemic injection on Thursday, meaning it affected my whole body.  If it doesn't help, I will have to have an injection placed right into my knee, which is not something I'm looking forward to having to... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/8236/7456/So http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/8236/7386/magic Fri, 09 Mar 2007 08:15:00 -0500 JacRad About 3-4 weeks ago we had a winter storm here in Ohio that caused significant icing to everything it touched.  Needless to say, I fell in our driveway right smack on my knees.  I had doubled my Medrol for awhile and was okay, but have gradually been getting worse over the past 2 weeks.  I saw my doctor yesterday and he gave me a Cortisone shot (systemic) and what a relief.  I haven't felt this good in a couple of... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/8236/7386/magic