We Need your help:
2005 Provider/Patient Conference Committee and in the office
Your recommendation for our Health Care Referral List
Other Community Programs
For more information: offerutah.org
Tell your friends!

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.
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CFS/FM EDUCATION MEETING
Salt Lake County Complex,
2001 South State Street, North Building, SLC, UT

Wednesday, March 2, 2005, 7:00 PM
Speaker: Steve Crandall, PT
Topic: "What Physical Therapy Can Do To Help FM & CFS"
Bring a guest and attend this month's free education meeting.

OFFER's 3RD ANNUAL CFS & FM PATIENT CONFERENCE
"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, $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.

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.comhttp://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/ym/Compose?To=offerregistration@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.
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

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.

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

IN THE NEWS:
David S. Bell, M.D., a well-known CFS expert, has written a book about his experience treating children with CFS. The book, Faces of CFS, is available for free on his web site
(Dr. Bell will be among the faculty of OFFER's upcoming Health Care Provider Conference.)

http://www.davidsbell.com/DSBFaces.htm

FDA approves first generic version of fentanyl pain patch for chronic pain.

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/100/105561.htm

Research: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Linked to HHV-6 Virus
http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/id/6291

Research: Benefit of Ribose in a Patient With Fibromyalgia
http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/id/6225

Vioxx: Despite Risks, Pain Relievers Given OK
http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/article/101/105995.htm?printing=true

HELP IN MANAGING SYMPTOMS:
Side effects of antidepressants: Coping strategies
www.mayoclinic.com/printinvoker.cfm?objectid=0096FAE5-B0BB-4D37-80E979710473E342

Guide to Intimacy with Arthritis
http://www.arthritis.org/resources/Relationships/Intimacy/intimacy_home.asp

Cognitive Function & Fibromyalgia
http://fmaware.org/patient/research/cognitivepf.htm

Clearing the Fog: Coping with the Cognitive Dysfunction of Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/ID/4890/e/1/T/CFIDS_FM/