Where:
Salt Lake Community College-The Miller Center
Located at 9750 S 300 W, in Sandy, Utah; just south of Salt Lake City
Cost:
$20 if you pre-register, $30 at the door

Help us spread the word:
In conjunction with the patient conference, OFFER is hosting a health care provider conference also titled, "Advances in Understanding & Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia" on April 15-16, 2005 at the same location. Ask your health care provider to save this date so they won't miss this informative conference.

Watch for more information coming to your mail box soon.

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION:
FIBROMYALGIA AND ARTHRITIS SELF-MANAGEMENT CLASSES:
The Arthritis Management Program can help you learn to manage your arthritis on a day-to-day basis. Trained volunteers, many of whom have arthritis or fibromyalgia, lead the courses. The program allows you to share experiences with others, offering you the opportunity to both help and learn from others.
Holladay: March 1- April 5
Taylorsville: March 1- April 5
Twin Falls: March 24-April 28
For more information check out their website at:
http://www.arthritis.org/Communities/Chapters/LocalNews.asp?idchap=62

On-line Fibromyalgia and Arthritis Self-Management Class:
The Stanford School of Medicine is inviting people to take part in a free 6 week online program and study for people with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (also called degenerative arthritis), or fibromyalgia. It will be a 6-week, small group, interactive workshop on the Internet.
https://arthritis.stanford.edu/asm/index.asp

FIBROMYALGIA RESEARCH STUDIES
Dr. Bateman is seeking FM patients who are not on daily medications for pain, sleep or mood to participate in research of a new medication. If you are interested, or know someone who is, please call her office for more information: 359-7400.

CFS/FM RESEARCH DATABASE:
Want to participate in CFS and/or FM research? Then contact OFFER at offerregistration@yahoo.comwith your request and we will send you a short survey permission form.

IN THE NEWS:
NFA Fibromyalgia Epidemiological Task Force Finalizes Plans for First National Multi-Center Survey on FM
http://www.fmaware.org/fmOnlineNewsletter/2005/vol5_no1/article_survey.htm

Sleep Loss Feeds Appetite
http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/Article/98/104617.htm

New Drug From Pfizer May Be an Option for FM Pain
http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/id/6204

Study: Acupuncture Effective for Arthritis
http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/Article/98/104886.htm

Longer-Lasting Lunesta for All-Night Sleep
http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/98/104823.htm

Implantable Pain Control Devices: The Inside Story
http://health.webmd.com/cgi-bin21/DM/y/jiI60B4PcP0o0cAU0Aa

The Disability Maze
http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2004_archives/2004_11_12/2004_11_12_Disability_1.asp

HELP IN MANAGING SYMPTOMS:
Fibro Fit Tips: Different Types of Exercise
http://www.arthritis.org/communities/Chapters/OhioRiverValley/FFT_010205.asp

Forgive and Forget: Compassion is good for your health
http://www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=523410

How you feel pain
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=PN00017

Audio/Video Committee will be meeting soon. If you would like to volunteer for this committee, please email Carol at offerutah@yahoo.com

For other volunteer opportunities: Ask for a copy of our new "Volunteer Projects" list. Volunteers are needed for committees, special projects, office help and more.

PHYSICIAN REFERRALS:
We need your help in developing a database of patient recommended self-help contacts and health care professionals that have helped you manage your CFS & FM. If you are a patient and would like to recommend someone to this list, please send us their name, title, address, and phone number.

OTHER COMMUNITY CFS/FM PROGRAMS:
FM & CFS YOUTH SUPPORT GROUP IN SLC
Facilitators Linnea Noyes PhD, Deb Keye-Shea PAC, and Ali Allen are currently seeking high school and college age students who would like to get together once a month to discuss the challenges of living with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. An upbeat atmosphere and focus on social support, rather than therapy, is the overall goal. If you are interested, please call Linnea at 531-7464 or email Ali at fcclinic@xmission.com.

FIBROMYALGIA AQUATIC CLASS at T.O.S.H. (5848 S. Fashion Blvd. in Murray.)
Warm-water exercise class meets every Mon./Wed./Fri. from 5-6 PM. Call 314-4046 for more information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OFFER:
Visit our website: http://www.offerutah.org
Check out our "Resource" section for links to many informative websites.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS:
Feel free to forward this email to anyone you think might be interested. If you received this newsletter from a friend and would like to receive it monthly, send your request to offerregistration@yahoo.com

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