The next regional Fibromyalgia Support Group meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 3rd at 1pm at Princeton Community Hospital, 12th Street, Princeton, WV...Education Classrooms 1 & 2 as usual.
It will feature a look back at all the subject matter we've covered since last June 2006. I've put together a sort of "highlights reel" on DVD. There are many new participants who have not seen and heard much of the audio visual presentations that have been offered at our meetings. For those of you who have been at most of our sessions, it will be a good time to review. To recap some of the content that will be featured at this meeting, here's a list:
- We began with Dr. M. Yunus who is considered the "Father of modern fibromyalgia research" and his presentation entitled New Hope for Fibromyalgia a fibromyalgia seminar at CalState, Fullerton, Sept. 2004.
- Next, we viewed Dr. Patrick Wood's presentation (LSU) about the dopamine theory of fibromyalgia and treatment protocol entitled Fibromyalgia: Show Me Where It Hurts produced in late 2005.
- Then, we sat in on the Fibromyalgia 101 seminar held in Charleston, WV in early 2006 with Drs. Phister and Linton of WVU School of Medicine and the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center. This was part of the CAMC Mini-Medical School for the Public series.
- Later, we reviewed the National Institute of Health's flash presentation, Fibromyalgia Syndrome Overview.
- Then, after a couple postponements, came the opportunity to view an important roundtable discussion of noted physicians and fibromyalgia clinicians from around the country including Dr. Daniel Clauw of the University of Michigan who is perhaps the leading FM researcher of 2006. This was part of a health information series for physicians produced by UCTV held at the University of California at San Diego last June. It also featured a demonstration of how a doctor examines a patient for fibromyalgia and showed slides of fMRI scans showing that fibromyalgia produces physical changes in the brain...a very important development for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome.
- Finally, we learned the importance of exercise for fibromyalgia patients and witnessed a demonstration of appropriate exercises developed by Dr. Jessie Jones of University of California, part of the NFA Strategies for Life series and a preview of their new Pain Management Center Program.
- As if that weren't enough, I've thrown in radio interview segments from Patient Power with Andrew Shorr with Dr. Andrew Holman, a noted fibromyalgia researcher and clinician at the University of Washington and highlights from seminars held at Arizona State University and University of Texas featuring Drs. Bell and Russell, respectively. Dr. I. Jon Russell is a noted fibromyalgia researcher and rheumatologist.
WOW!!! Is that enough information or what?? Luckily, the materials reviewed on the DVD for the upcoming meeting are highly condensed so you won't feel overwhelmed. A Q&A session will follow as well as some time to get to know one another and exchange fibro war stories. Don't miss this meeting! It is an opportunity to catch-up on the latest fibromyalgia research and treatments. By the way, the full-length versions of all these audio/video presentations will soon be available at local public libraries throughout our region.
All regional Fibromyalgia Support Group meetings at PCH will continue to be the FIRST SATURDAY each month at 1pm throughout 2007.
Please note that the theme for this year's Fibromyalgia Awareness Day event has been announced by the NFA: It is (drum roll, please)..."FOCUS ON FIBROMYALGIA" and the event will cover the day before National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on Saturday, May 12th and the day after...a 3-day event for 2007.
VHFA will be holding regional showings of the documentary "Living with Fibromyalgia: A Journey of Hope and Understanding" throughout March, April and May. We need volunteers to assist with all facets of this awareness project. If you can help, send me an email: vhfa@suddenlink.net
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