1. Do You Have Morning Stiffness? Morning stiffness is one of the most common complaints of individuals with fibromyalgia. Learn about some of the causes and discover steps you take can take to loosen up and reduce the pain. (click here)

2. Educating Healthcare Professionals: The National Fibromyalgia Association and Practicing Clinicians Exchange have formed a partnership to provide continuing education programs on fibromyalgia to nurse practitioners and physician assistants throughout the United States. (click here to learn more)

3. Sleep Awareness Week: Inadequate sleep negatively impacts health and safety, according to the National Sleep Foundation's 2009 Sleep in America™ poll. Read about the survey, get sleep tips, and test your sleep knowledge during National Sleep Awareness Week. The public education, information, and awareness campaign takes place March 1-8. Visit the National Sleep Foundation’s website at www.sleepfoundation.org for details.

4. The New Face of Fibromyalgia: The American Pain Foundation will host a one-hour online interactive webinar, “The New Face of Fibromyalgia,” Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. (EST). The program features Kim Dupree Jones, PhD, Associate Professor in the Schools of Nursing and Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, who will speak on the latest guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia. Click here for information and to register for the free program.

5. Co-Pay Relief: The Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief Program now includes a pain fund to serve patients suffering with chronic pain. The program is open to patients who financially and medically qualify for co-payment assistance. Once approved, funds can be provided directly to the insured patients’ medical and/or pharmaceutical providers. For additional information, visit www.copays.org or call 866.512.3861.

6. Free Guide to Safe Use of Pain Medications: Pain relief treatments come in many forms and potencies, are available by prescription or over-the-counter (OTC), and treat all sorts of physical pain—including that brought on by chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia. However, misuse of these products can be extremely harmful and even deadly. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers a free guide, “A Guide to Safe Use of Pain Medicine,” that includes information on the types of pain relievers, appropriate use, active ingredients, abuse and more. (click here)

7. Online Poll Results: Have you ever participated in a fibromyalgia clinical trial? Ninety-five percent of respondents to the NFA’s February online poll question said they had not, and five percent said they had. To learn more about clinical trials, including information on different types of studies, privacy protection and how patients can benefit by participating, click here.

8. Couples and Fibromyalgia: Take part in a National Institutes of Health-funded study on The Couples Experience of Having FM. The survey is open to minorities with fibromyalgia and can be completed at your home. (click here for information)

Correction:
The correct email address for Trena Gologan—who is coordinating a Fibromyalgia Awareness Day event at the Georgia campus of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and is also selling butterfly sand-dollar paintings to raise funds for the NFA —is TrenaGo@pcom.edu

Store Specials
Act fast—free shipping and handling on the products listed below through March 31.

"Get Your Motor Running" (DVD), featuring three levels of exercise difficulty
$12.95

This 33-minute exercise video is divided into three levels of difficulty and features a variety of stretches, warm-up movements and exercises designed to improve functionality. (click here)

Patient Beliefs and Expectations (DVD)
$9.95
The 8 1/2-minute video provides a brief overview of fibromyalgia and features fibromyalgia patients. It’s perfect for educating friends and family about what it is like to live with fibromyalgia. (click here)

Relaxation Therapy — Natural Ocean Sounds
$12.95
Enjoy the relaxing sounds of the ocean surf during this hour-long CD. (click here)

Attention Members: Be sure to take advantage of your 10 percent store discount by logging in before you place an order.