E-NEWS from OFFER & AF
Organization for Fatigue & Fibromyalgia Education & Research
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Partnering with the Utah/Idaho Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation
Visit OFFER's website: http://www.offerutah.org
Visit UT/ID AF's website:
http://www.arthritis.org/Communities/Chapters/Chapter.asp?chapid=62
___________________________________________________________
In this Issue:
No CFS/FM Education Meeting this Month Due to Conference
OFFER's 3rd Annual 2005 CFS & FM Patient Conference
Volunteer's are Needed for the Conference and in the Office
Arthritis Foundation's Self-Management Classes
Fibromyalgia Research Participants Needed
In the News:
CFS Patients Show Lower Response to Placebos
Fibromyalgia: Tips for Daily Living
Kaiser Foundation Polls Americans on Prescription Drug Use
Migraine Pain Might Signal Deeper Problems
Vitamin C Can Boost the Immune System
Pain Relievers: Questions & Answers
Help in Managing Symptoms:
Sex and CFS by Patricia Fennell....She's going to be at our conference this month!
Night leg cramps: What causes them?
Adjust to your workout: Why warming up and cooling down help keep you on the go
How to stretch your major muscle groups
Your liver: An owner's guide
For more information: offerutah.org
Tell your friends!

The inclusion of information in this newsletter does not constitute or imply endorsement by OFFER or the Arthritis Foundation Utah/Idaho Chapter. Please consult your physician before using any medication or therapy.
_______________________________________________________________

NO CFS/FM EDUCATION MEETING THIS MONTH DUE TO CONFERENCE

OFFER's 3RD ANNUAL CFS & FM PATIENT CONFERENCE
NOTE: The early registration discounted price of $20 ends on April 8th. Don't miss this great deal; sign-up today! After April 8th and at the door the cost is $30.

"Advances In Understanding and Treating CFS and FM"
Friday, April 15, 2005; 12:00 - 5:30 PM
Featuring nationally recognized experts:
Patricia Fennell MSW, CSW-R; Albany Health Management Assoc. Albany, NY
Nancy Klimas MD; Professor of Medicine, University of Miami,FL
Lynne Matallana; National Fibromyalgia Association, Orange, CA
Jon Russell MD; University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio TX
Local faculty will speak on managing pain and fatigue, meditation, qigong, nutrition, sex and relationships, dealing with difficult emotions, coping at work, and panel discussions.

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 by April 8th, $30 after April 8th and 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.

To register or for more information visit: http://offerutah.org/Conference.html
If you would like to receive a brochure by postal mail and are unsure if you are on OFFER's mailing list, please send your name and address to
offerregistration@yahoo.com



VOLUNTEER'S ARE NEEDED
Volunteers are needed for our 2005 Patient/Provider Conference and in the office. If you would like to volunteer, please email Carol at
http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/ym/Compose?To=offerutah@yahoo.com

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.
For more information check out their website at:
http://www.arthritis.org/Communities/Chapters/LocalNews.asp?idchap=62

FIBROMYALGIA RESEARCH
The Fibromyalgia Research team, within the University of Utah is seeking participants for a study involving comprehensive rehabilitative treatment for FMS. Eligible participants must:
· have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia,
· be between 21 and 65 years of age,
· not exercise more than 30 minutes per week,
· not have heart disease,
· not be pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the next year,
· not be planning any surgery within the next year.

The study includes comprehensive medical, physical therapy, and pain psychology evaluations. Participants will be asked to do home assessments monitoring their FMS symptoms for 7 days.

Treatment includes active physical therapy, physical education and counseling. All treatments will be group format of 2 hours per session for ten consecutive weeks. Evaluations and treatments are provided at no cost to eligible participants.

Interested people may contact us by phone at (801) 585-7697
e-mail
http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/ym/Compose?To=pain.research@hsc.utah.edu
or visit our website at
http://www.painresearch.utah.edu/fibro.htm, for more information.

IN THE NEWS
CFS Patients Show Lower Response to Placebos
http://www.hbns.org/news/fatigue03-22-05.cfm

Fibromyalgia: Tips for Daily Living
http://health.webmd.com/cgi-bin21/DM/y/jjN50B4PcP0o0dsa0Em

Kaiser Foundation Polls Americans on Prescription Drug Use
visit:
http://www.kff.org/healthpollreport/feb_2005/1.cfm.

Migraine Pain Might Signal Deeper Problems
Mini-strokes could be triggered in some users, researchers argue
http://www.healthscout.com/news/1/524158/main.html

Vitamin C Can Boost the Immune System
(Source: Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) news release)
http://www.immunesupport.com/library/print.cfm?ID=6304

Pain Relievers: Questions & Answers
Arthritis Expert Helps You Understand Risks From Pain Relievers
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/101/106005.htm

HELP IN MANAGING SYMPTOMS
Sex and CFS by Patricia Fennell....She's going to be at our conference this month!
http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2005/sex-cfs.asp

Night leg cramps: What causes them?
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=527C9615-0194-419C-B6E7208C9CE140A4&si=2760

Adjust to your workout: Why warming up and cooling down help keep you on the go
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=5527E530-228F-4745-B830E83879E0A11F&si=2764

How to stretch your major muscle groups
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?retryCount=1&objectid=BC370AC8-32B1-4481-B1F3E865F6F64EC5&si=2760

Your liver: An owner's guide
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=48C619D7-73FF-4918-84902DF7A68A2C31&si=2760

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 <http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/ym/Compose?To=fcclinic@xmission.com>.

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