The Connecticut CFIDS & FM Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 3010 Milford, CT 06460 InfoLine: (800) 952-2037

The Connecticut Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction & Fibromyalgia Association, Inc.
presents our Annual Spring Conference:

"Exploring the Symptoms of Chronic Illness"

Are you tired of living with symptoms that don't seem to get better? Would you like to learn more about how your body works? Do you experience symptoms of headache, severe fatigue or brain fog on a regular basis? Chronic pain or dizziness? Abdominal pain or urinary frequency? This conference is for you!

Our conference will explore and define symptoms many of us live with daily. Come and learn more about what causes your symptoms and treatment options-what works, what to avoid and cutting edge discoveries from our speakers.

Date: Sunday, April 30, 2006
Time: 9:00-4:30
Location: Hartford, CT

Program Agenda
Sunday, April 30, 2006

9 am              Registration Begins/Exhibits

10 am            Welcome Address

10:15 am       Keynote Presenter:  Beyond Exhaustion-Learn the Dynamics of Extreme Fatigue
                     * Nancy Klimas, MD

11:30 am       Lunch Break/Exhibits

12:30 pm      Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & Hypothyroidism: Myths Unveiled
                     * Robert Lang, MD

                    Cognitive Function in CFS
                    * Gudrun Lange, MD

1:30 pm       Social Security and Long Term Disability: A Truly Frustrating Process
                    * Barbara Comerford, Esq.

                    Patient Advocacy Initiative-Learn What You Can Do To Fight For Your Rights!
                    * Jill McLaughlin

2:30 pm       Estrogen and Headaches: Do Hormones Cause Your Headaches?
                    * Madeleine Kitaj, MD

                    A Neurologist's Perspective on Pain
                    * Hellen Kim, MD

3:30 pm       Interstitial Cystitis
                    * Jill Peters-Gee, MD

                   Orthostatic Tolerance:  Why Am I Faint When I Stand?
                   * Craig McPherson, MD

Presenters

Nancy Klimas, MD is board certified in Internal Medicine and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology. She is the director of the Allergy and Immunology Clinic, and is a licensed laboratory director in Florida. Dr. Klimas is the Director of Research for the Clinical AIDS/HIV Research at the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center. A leader in the field of CFS research, Dr. Klimas is the principal investigator of the NIH Center for Multidisciplinary Studies of CFS Pathophysiology at the University of Miami. Dr. Klimas has been appointed to the inter-agency CFS Coordinating Committee, chaired by the Surgeon General of the United States. She is the founding editor of the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Barbara Comerford, Esq. is a graduate of Seton Hall Law School. Her NJ/NY law firm concentrates on long-term disability insurance claims (ERISA and Private Disability Insurance), social security disability, and government pensions. She regularly lectures on disability law. Attorney Comerford has served on numerous Boards including the American Association of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the CFIDS Association of America and the New Jersey Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association. Attorney Comerford suffered from CFIDS and now considers herself largely recovered.

Robert Lang, MD has over 25 years of experience as a clinician, researcher, teacher and administrator. His training was in Internal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Washington University in St. Louis. He has over 10 years of academic experience as a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Lang was the Associate Director of the Clinical Research Center at Yale and is presently in private practice and Clinical Associate Professor at Yale. He is nationally recognized in the field of Osteoporosis, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism.

Gudrun Lange, PhD is a clinical neuropsychologist and has a private practice in Newark, NJ. She is the Director of War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center in the DVA NJ Health Care System and an associate professor of radiology and psychiatry at UMDNJ. She participates on many committees at the national and local level and has received NIH funding for her research.

Madeleine Kitaj, MD is a neurologist and Headache Specialist. She is the director and founder of the Kitaj Headache Center, LLC, a multi-disciplinary headache clinic combining patient treatment, physical therapy, and stress reduction classes, located in Southbury, CT. Dr. Kitaj regularly lectures to peers, residents, students and patients. She is a member of multiple organizations and participates in research.

Jill McLaughlin graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. in Biology/Medical Technology. She became involved in patient advocacy after her family was affected by CFIDS. Jill was a speaker at the 2004 AACFS conference in WI and served on the AACFS advocacy panel . From 1998-2004 Jill was the Executive Director of The National CFIDS Foundation. She has represented patients on a local and national level.

Jill Peters-Gee, MD is a board certified Urologist specializing in female urology and urinary incontinence. She received her medical degree from the University of Michigan. She currently practices at the Women’s Health Specialty Care in Farmington and Women’s Health USA in Avon where she is the Director of the Continence Care Program. Dr. Peters-Gee is an Associate Professor at UCONN Health Center. She is a researcher and lectures to health professionals and patients.

Hellen Kim, MD is a neurologist and neurophysiologist. She is the founder and Director of the Pain and Neurologic Care Institute in Putnam, CT. Dr. Kim has a special interest in chronic pain syndromes, psychosomatic disorders and chronic neurologic disorders, such as MS. She has a private practice in Putnam and Glastonbury, CT. She currently serves on the Clinical Advisory Board of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Craig McPherson, MD is a cardiologist/electrophysiologist. He received his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. He completed his cardiology fellowship at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He is the Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology Service at Bridgeport Hospital and the Director of Cardiology Fellowship at Bridgeport Hospital. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Yale.

Registration Click here for the registration form.

Guarantee your seat now! Seating is limited! Free lunch ($15 value) provided with pre-registration!

Pre-registration deadline is April 1, 2006. After April 1st pre-registration forms will not be accepted. Tickets available at the door for a fee of $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Lunch will not be provided with tickets purchased at the door. Meals and snacks are available at The Connecticut Convention Center and The Marriott Hotel.

Complimentary parking will be provided for the conference at the Convention Center Garage. Please bring your parking stub to the conference registration table to have it validated.

SPECIAL NOTE: In order to qualify for the lower rate as a CT CFIDS & FM Assoc. member, you must be current with your membership or join as a new member now.
Click here for a Membership Application.

Directions

The Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford

Directly off the highway! Well Marked!

From I-91 North: Take the Capitol Area Exit (#29A) on left; merge onto Whitehead Highway; take Columbus Boulevard Exit; make right onto Columbus Boulevard; Convention Center Garage will be on your right.

From I-91 South: Take the Capitol Area Exit (#29A) on right; merge onto Whitehead Highway; take Columbus Boulevard Exit; make right onto Columbus Boulevard; Convention Center Garage will be on your right.

From I-84 East: Follow I-84 East to I-91 south; take the Capitol Area Exit (#29A) on right; merge onto Whitehead Highway; take Columbus Boulevard Exit; make right onto Columbus Boulevard; Convention Center Garage will be on your right.

From I-84 West: Follow I-84 West and take the Downtown Hartford Exit (left lane exit); this will take you onto the Founders Bridge; at the end of the bridge turn left onto Columbus Boulevard; Convention Center Garage will be on your left..

There is an entrance from the parking garage into the CT Convention Center. Take the elevator immediately on your left to the fifth floor and take a right. The registration table will be ahead of you.

If you are dropped off in front of the conference center take the escalator in front of you to the fifth floor and follow the signs.

Please contact CT CFIDS & FM Assoc., Inc. with questions at (800) 952-2037 or email us info@ct-cfids-fm.org

We need your support! Become a member today! The CT CFIDS & FM Assoc., Inc. is an all-volunteer, statewide, grass roots, non-profit organization run by patients, family members, and concerned individuals. We provide support to patients with CFIDS & FM and their families. We serve as an information clearinghouse for these chronic illnesses. The Association acts as a patient advocate and funds medical research into CFIDS/FM.

For the Comfort of All Please No Aroma Products Should Be Worn!!
(Hairspray, gel, perfume, aftershave, etc.)

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Disclaimer: The ideas expressed by each author, quoted individual or person posting to this web sites message board are strictly his or her own. Some of the information contained herein is intended to help persons with CFIDS & FM make informed decisions about their health. However, The Connecticut CFIDS & FM Association, Inc. and the creator of this web site do not dispense medical advice or endorse any specific medical hypothesis or product and assume no responsibility for any medical treatment or other activity undertaken by visitors to this web site. For medical advice please consult your healthcare provider. Furthermore this web site contains numerous links to third party Web Sites and paid advertisements. The Connecticut CFIDS & FM Association, Inc. and the creator of this web site do not control or endorse the content of third party Web Sites or products and services offered by advertisers. This information is provided as a service and not as a recommendation.