April 2010
E-NEWS QUICK LINKS
 
OFFER Education Meeting


 
OFFER EDUCATION MEETING

 
"Group Discussion"
 
During these group discussions, Dr. Stuart Drescher, a licensed psychologist and ME/CFS patient, will introduce themes pertinent to ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia patients.  He'll then ask those in attendance about their experiences and how they deal with these illnesses.  These will be positive, supportive meetings.  Plan on attending!
 
Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
 
 
Upcoming Education Meetings:
 
May 5 - Group Discussion led by Dr. Stuart Drescher
 
June 2 - "Fibromyalgia Medications: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" by N. Lee Smith, M.D.
 
To view the remaining 2010 Education Meeting Schedule, click here.
 
 
Location: 
Salt Lake County Complex, North Building, 2001 S. State Street, SLC, UT.
Park in the northeast corner of the complex.
 

OFFER CONFERENCE
 
There will be an OFFER Conference held on September 11, 2010 at the Marriott Hotel in Research Park, next to the University of Utah.  More information can be found on the website: www.OFFERUtah.org.  There will be a morning session for medical professionals and an afternoon session for ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia patients and their loved ones.
 
Volunteers will be needed as we prepare for the September Conference.  Help will be needed with many different tasks.  If you are able, volunteer at the OFFER website.
 



 
"The future is not some place we are going to but one we are creating.  The paths to it are not found but made."
Author: John Schaar



IN THE NEW LINKS
 
How Will Health Reform Affect Me?
Immediate Benefits of Health Reform Legislation
By Michael Bihari, MD, About.com Guide
Updated March 24, 2010
 
Kindling and Oxidative Stress as Contributors to Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
by Jason, Porter, Herrington, Sorenson, & Kubow
In the Journal of Behavioral and Neuroscience Research:
JBNR 2009 Volume 7 Issue 2
 
Three approaches help manage fibromyalgia's pain
In the Indianapolis Satr by Shar Rudavsky March 25, 2010
 
Social Networks a Lifeline for the Chronically Ill
In the New York Times by Clair Cain Miller
Published: March 24, 2010
 
Decoding an Ancient Therapy
"High-Tech Tools Show How Acupuncture Works in Treating Arthritis, Back Pain, Other Ills"
In The Wall Street Journal by Melinda Beck March 23, 2010
 

 
"If people knew how hard I worked to gain my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful."
Author: Michelangelo


CURRENT PATIENT STUDIES
 
Participants Wanted for Study of Chronic Fatigue
 
Individuals who have had severe, unexplained fatigue for at least six months and who have no serious abnormalities on medical tests are wanted for a study of chronic fatigue.  Patients who qualify for the study will be asked to complete three questionnaires over a six month period.  Participating in the study will not alter the treatment that your physician gives you.  The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether patients treated by certain types of physicians improve faster than patients treated by other types of physicians.
 
If you may be interested in participating in this study, please contact the study coordiantor, Kathleen O'Connor at (801) 587-4741.  For more information email kathleen.oconnor@hci.utah.edu.
 
Fibromyalgia Treatment Program
 
Researchers in the Department of Anesthesiology at The University of Utah are seeking individuals interested in participating in a clinical study to evaluate rehabilitation programs for treating Fibromyalgia.
 
If you:
* Have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Syndrome
* Are between 21 and 65 years of age
* Do not exercise regularly (less than 30 minutes per week)
 
You may be eligible for this study.  This study includes evaluations and 10 consecutive weekly, 2 1/2 hour treatment sessions.  All evaluations and treatments are at no cost to you.
 
If you are interested, please call The Pain Research Center at 801-585-7697 or visit our website at: www.painresearch.utah.edu/clinical
 
Please help Break the Chain on Pain
 
New Fibromyalgia Clinical Trial for Patients
 
The Fibromyalgia Research Team at the University of Utah School of Medicine's Pain Research Center is beginning a new clinical trial on Fibromyalgia patients.  We are currently recruiting participants for a nutrition and weight management study.
 
The Fibromyalgia Research Team has been awarded a National Institutes of Health grant to provide nutrition and coping education for symptom and weight management for overweight or obese Fibromyalgia patients.  We are recruiting participants who have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia syndrome, are between the ages of 21 and 65, and have a Body Mass Index of at least 25.  Eligible patients will undergo pre and post treatment evaluations and will receive 12 weeks of treatment at the University of Utah Pain Research Center.  The treatment will be in a group format and will be provided at no cost.
 
If you have any questions or would like additional information about this study please do not hesitate to contact Mark Herrera at (801) 585-7692.
 

 
"You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore."
Author: Christopher Columbus


INFO LINKS
 
OFFERUtah.org Support Board!
The Offer Support Board has been revamped with entirely new and very gifted management.  Go to the OFFER website and click on "Support Group" or go to: www.offerutah.org/supportboard/index.php.  This is a wonderful upgrade from previous support board attempts.
 
OFFER'S Facebook site
OFFER Utah is in the process of setting up a Facebook site.  Check the OFFER website for more information.
 
OFFER's Website
Visit OFFER's website for additional resources to important health information and CFS/FM research studies at:  www.offerutah.org under Resources.
 
The National Fibromyalgia Association has established a healthcare provider information page
Several Utah doctors and others in the Intermountain area have been listed.  To see the list, it's necessary to register with The National Fibromyalgia Association, but it's free of charge.  Here is the address:
http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?pagename=resources_hcProviderDirectory
 
Developing Coping Skills for Living with Fibromyalgia
Improve Your Life & Your Symptoms
by Adrienne Dellwo, About.com
Updated: February 28, 2009
Go to:  http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/copingwithfmscfs/a/copingskills.htm
 
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Basics
By: Lara Endreszl
Published Sunday, 28 December 2008
Go to: http://www.healthnews.com/family-health/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-the-basics-2346.html
 
Medicine Plus: Fibromyalgia Tutorial
 
Check out this Website for Men with Fibromyalgia
Here's a great site for Men with Fibromyalgia.  Spouses or SO's of Men with Fibromyalgia are also welcome.  Very interesting. 
 

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"Your goal should be out of reach, but not out of sight."
Author: Anita DeFrantz


IF YOU HAVEN'T EXPLORED THE OFFER 2008 PATIENT CONFERENCE VIDEOS NOW ON OFFER'S WEBSITE, HERE ARE A COUPLE OF GREAT PRESENTATIONS TO START WITH:
 
 "Living with Fibromyalgia" by Daneen Akers:
 
"New Research and Biomarkers for FMS/CFS" by Kathleen Light, PhD:


IF YOU HAVEN'T CHECKED OUT THE NEW OFFER WEBSITE YOU'RE IN FOR A TREAT!  IT HAS ADDED NEW INFORMATION AND LOTS OF VIDEOS FROM OFFER'S CONFERENCES AND EDUCATION MEETINGS!



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You can notify your friends to sign up for the E-news by forwarding this email or send them the following link:  http://www.offerutah.org/enews%20signup.htm
 


 
"Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not."
Author: Oprah Winfrey