E-News from OFFER and
the Arthritis Foundation
December, 2005
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from the Organization for Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Education and Research,
and the Arthritis Foundation Utah/Idaho Chapter
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In This Issue:


Please note: 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.


OFFER Education Meetings:

"Setting Boundaries, Pacing, and Saying 'No'"
Catherine Benton, psychotherapist
December 7 (Wednesday), 7:00 P.M.
Salt Lake County Complex North Building
2001 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT

"Select Research Advances and Implications for Treatment of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome"
Dr. Lucinda Bateman, internist, OFFER Executive Director and board member of OFFER, CFIDS Association, and American Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
January 4 (Wednesday), 7:00 P.M.
Salt Lake County Complex North Building
2001 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT

OFFER's monthly Education Meetings are free and open to everyone -- so bring your loved ones.  Park free in the lot at the northeast corner of the complex. See upcoming meeting topics at offerutah.org/MEETINGS.html.

Arthritis Foundation Programs:

Gentle Exercise Classes
Due to the holiday season, there are no special Arthritis Foundation events in December. But this might be a good time to check out the Arthritis Foundation-sponsored aquatic and dry-land exercise classes, offered at many locations throughout Utah and Idaho. These gentle exercise programs are helpful for many people with FM or CFS. For more information, see http://www.arthritis.org/communities/chapters/SignMeupProg.asp?idchap=62 . And explore the resources throughout the Arthritis.org web site.

Say "Know" to Fibromyalgia Pain
Take the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program, designed for people with arthritis, fibromyalgia and related conditions, to learn how to better manage pain and stress, how to effectively use relaxation and sleep techniques, and for information about medications and alternative therapies.
 
SPRING SPECIAL:  All of the following spring classes are FREE to participate in (normally $30). Pay only $15 if you wish to keep the textbook Good Living with Fibromyalgia. Pre-registration is required as seats are limited.  Pick the date and location that work best for you and call today to sign up.

Jan 25 to March 1, Wednesdays 9:45-11:45 A.M.
10th East Senior Center, 237 South 1000 East, downtown Salt Lake City
To register, call Brenda Oberg at 538-2084.

Jan 24 to Feb. 28, Tuesdays 9:45-11:45 A.M.  
Midvale Senior Center, 350 West Park Street (7610 S), Midvale
To register, call Rebecca Sovereen at 566-6590.

Jan 24 to Feb. 28, Tuesdays 1:30-3:30 P.M.
Westside Sunday Anderson Center, 868 West 900 South, Salt Lake City
To register, call Darylne McPheeters at  538-2092.

March 16 to April 20, Thursdays 10:15 A.M. -12:15 P.M.  
Mt. Olympus Senior Center, 1635 E. Murray-Holladay Road, Salt Lake City
To register, call Lisa Butterfield at 274-1710.

March 16 to April 20, Thursdays 1:30-3:30 P.M.
Taylorsville Senior Center, 4743 S. Plymouth View Dr. , Taylorsville
To register, call Sue Chamberlain at 293-8340.

Jan 16 to Feb. 20, Mondays 3-5 P.M.
Washington County Volunteer Center, 1070 West 1600 South Building B, St. George
Call the Arthritis Foundation to register at 800-444-4993.


"In the News" Links:

"Special Report: Fibro-Friendly Exercise"  
The National Fibromyalgia Association offers a new collection of exercise resources, including how-to articles, medical journal articles, and a free online video.
http://www.fmaware.org/SpecialReport/2005/Exercise/index.html

"Happier Holidays: 39 ways to enjoy a less hectic, more relaxed holiday season this year"
http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2005_archives/2005_11_12/2005_11_12_Holiday_p1.asp?CampaignId=E05L1M1MEFD02880227W

"Contradictory Study Results: Is Acupuncture Beneficial for FM, Or Not?"
http://www.fmaware.org/fmOnlineNewsletter/2005/vol5_no15/article_contradictory.htm

Senator Orrin Hatch Calls for Expanded CFS Research, Education
In November Senator Hatch (R-UT) joined Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) in writing to Secretary for Health Michael Leavitt, to support the recommendations of the CFS Advisory Committee.
http://www.cfids.org/advocacy/2005/gac_11172005.asp

Dr. Vivian Pinn on CFS Research
The CFIDS Report interviews Dr. Pinn, who heads the Office of Research on Women's Health.  This office now spearheads CFS research within the National Institutes of Health.
http://www.cfidsreport.com /Articles/NIH/vivianpinn.htm
(Also see the Office's web page about CFS at http://orwh.od.nih.gov/cfs.html .)

"Arthritis Today Special Report: Good News for Knees"
The Arthritis Foundation summarizes recent research on the popular supplements glucosamine and chondroitin.  http://www.arthritis.org/research/ACR_Meeting/2006_01_02_GAIT.asp


OFFER Hope for the Holidays! 
OFFER's Annual Fund Raising Campaign is now underway. Donations are OFFER's only means of support for the free Education Meetings and for OFFER's operating expenses. If each of you could manage a single donation of just $5, it would ensure that OFFER can continue to provide these services throughout the coming year. Remember that OFFER is a totally volunteer run organization and has no paid staff. All donations go to support ongoing programs and are tax-deductible. Won't you please join us to help "OFFER Hope" and "Give the Gift of Healing" to other sufferers of FM and CFS?

Just go to http://www.offerutah.org/donate.html, and use the PayPal donations button for secure donations with a check or credit card. T o donate in someone's name as a gift, just fill out the form on OFFER's web site at http://www.offerutah.org/healing.htm -- OFFER will send a card acknowledging your generous donation in their honor. Thank you for your continuing support.

Inspiring and Educational Gifts
OFFER conference and Education Meeting DVDs are available online at http://offerutah.org/offersales.htm. These are great holiday gifts for those who missed the conference or didn't get to go to all the sessions they wanted to!  

Jewelry and other OFFER items are available at http://www.utahcraftconnections.com/cgi-bin/mojoClassified.cgi?type=search&action=search&step=final&s_username=OFFERHOPE. The turtle jewelry is a gentle reminder that "slow and steady wins the race" and we must learn to pace! Shop for gifts and make a donation at the same time!


FM Studies Seek Participants:

"Is There Pain Relief That May Keep My Active Lifestyle on Course?"  
Dr. Lucinda Bateman is currently conducting a research study to see how well an investigational medication taken twice daily for fibromyalgia may relieve your pain. If you are at least 18 years old and have FM, you may qualify for this study. Qualified participants will receive all study-related exams and medication at no cost. To learn more, contact Ali Allen, R.N., at 604-6637, 1002 E. South Temple, Suite 408, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, or email fcclinic@xmission.com , to let them know of your interest in the study, and how and when to contact you.

The University of Utah's Fibromyalgia Research Team is seeking participants for a study involving comprehensive rehabilitative treatment for FMS. To be eligible, patients 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 10 consecutive weeks. Evaluations and treatments are provided at no cost to eligible participants.  For more details, see painresearch.utah.edu/clinical/index.htm and click on the link for "Treatment Program for Fibromyalgia." To volunteer for the study, call (801) 585-7697 or send email to pain.research@hsc.utah.edu.


Interested in Participating in Future Research?:  
Interested in participating in future Fibromyalgia or CFS research? Just fill out the registration form at offerutah.org/OFFERSurvey.htm and mail it to OFFER at 1002 E. South Temple, Suite 408, Salt Lake City, UT 84102. OFFER-approved researchers will contact you when there's a study you may be interested in; of course, you are under no obligation to participate.  


Help Build OFFER's Referral List:
We need your help in expanding OFFER's list of health care professionals who treat FM and CFS. If you are a patient and would like to recommend someone, please email offerregistration@yahoo.com, giving the practitioner's name, title, address, and phone number, along with a brief description of how that person helped you. OFFER will contact the practitioners to ensure they are willing to be included on the referral list. Interested practitioners also are invited to contact OFFER at offerregistration@yahoo.com. The referral list is online at offerutah.org/doctors.htm.   


Other Support Groups in Utah:
See offerutah.org/support.html for a list of other support groups around the state. These include patient-led and professionally facilitated groups.  To suggest a group for this list, please contact OFFER at offerregistration@yahoo.com.


Learn More About OFFER:   
Visit OFFER's website at  www.offerutah.org . Check out the "Resource" section for links to many informative web sites, and for past issues of E-News.


E-News Subscriptions:
Feel free to forward this email to anyone who might be interested. To start or stop your subscription to this free newsletter, send your request to offerregistration@yahoo.com.