Breaking it down - A multiple sclerosis podcast

Send us a message about the podcast. For questions about MS please contact our helpline 0800 032 38 39

Driving when you live with MS might make you feel like you’re stuck at a red light.

You might start to ask questions. Who do I need to tell about my diagnosis? Can I still drive to see my family and friends? What adaptions do I need?

Well, our two-part podcast special should give you some answers and dispel a few myths.

In part one, we’re joined by Claire Winchester, MS Trust Head of Info and Engagement. She shares insights from a recent survey exploring how MS affects travel and transportation.

Plus, we hear from Motability's Ross Smith to learn more about their scheme and how it can help people with MS stay independent.

Listen now to learn helpful driving tips, information and more!

Episode Notes
Driving and Transport - info from MS Trust
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/home-and-travel/driving-and-public-transport

Driving with MS - News item from MS Trust what you need to know mstrust.org.uk/news/driving-ms-what-you-need-know

How the Motability Scheme works - motability.co.uk/how-it-works/ 

Send us a message about the podcast. For questions about MS please contact our helpline 0800 032 38 39

What should you eat when you live with MS? We come across this question a lot from the MS community. It’s not surprising considering how much conflicting information there is out there.

That’s why we’re demystifying MS diets in our two-part podcast special. Episode one saw us catch up with Dr. Terry Wahls and Samantha Josephs (Overcoming MS) about their respective diets and lifestyle approaches.

This time around, we’re chewing the fat with registered dietician Claire Fenlon (Chilterns Neuro Centre), who also lives with MS herself. She helps us to understand the importance of healthy eating with MS and outlines some helpful tips.

Also, MS Trust Head of Information and Engagement, Dr Claire Winchester, gives us food for thought on the research behind nutrition and diet.

Join us for all the latest tips, information and more!

Episode notes

Demystifying MS diets pt 1: the Wahls Protocol and Overcoming MS: mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/demystifying-ms-diets-pt-1-wahls-protocol-and-overcoming-ms

Diet and MS - info from MS Trust  mstrust.org.uk/information-support/diet-ms

Types of MS Diets – info from MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/information-support/diet-ms/types-diet

Diet and symptoms – info from MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/information-support/diet-ms/diet-and-symptoms

Donate to the MS Trust donate.mstrust.org.uk/

Tips to keep your bladder healthy mstrust.org.uk/news/expert/tips-keeping-your-bladder-healthy

Tips to keep your bowel healthy mstrust.org.uk/news/expert/tips-keeping-your-bowel-healthy

Chilterns Neuro centre chilternsneurocentre.org

Send us a message about the podcast. For questions about MS please contact our helpline 0800 032 38 39

Have you thought about making changes to your diet to help manage your MS? Maybe you’ve experimented with a few fad diets, but never quite found what works.

Well, we know the feeling. The world of nutrition can be tricky – you’re not sure if you should be keto, vegan, paleo, carnivore or just straight up confuddled.

Throw MS into the mix and all of a sudden, things can get even more confusing. That’s why we’re sinking our teeth into the world of MS and diet and digesting the facts in a two-part podcast series.

First up, we tuck in to two of the most popular MS diets: The Wahls Protocol and the Overcoming MS diet and lifestyle.

Our guests, Dr. Terry Wahls (The Wahls Protocol) and Samantha Josephs (Overcoming MS), discuss their diets, the research behind them and how healthy eating patterns can support your overall health.

Listen now for all the latest tips, information and more!

Episode notes

Diet and MS - info from MS Trust  mstrust.org.uk/information-support/diet-ms

Types of MS Diets – info from MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/information-support/diet-ms/types-diet

Diet and symptoms – info from MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/information-support/diet-ms/diet-and-symptoms

Donate to the MS Trust donate.mstrust.org.uk/

The Wahls protocol terrywahls.com/the-wahls-protocol/

Overcoming MS Diet overcomingms.org/program/guide-overcoming-ms-diet/

Send us a message about the podcast. For questions about MS please contact our helpline 0800 032 38 39

JLS founding member and critically acclaimed solo artist Oritsé Williams has been in the limelight since 2008. But long before the dazzling, bright lights of fame, Oritsé began his journey as a young carer for his mum, who was diagnosed with MS when he was 12 years old.

Find out about the challenges that he and his siblings faced, his mother’s MS journey and why he’s passionate about supporting other young carers out there.

Listen now to hear his take on caring for someone with dignity and love, the family bond they developed and how finding a creative outlet supported him emotionally.

Episode notes

Information for carers - information from the MS Trust - mstrust.org.uk/information-support/care-and-carers/information-for-carers 
Caring for someone with MS - Podcast from MS Trust - mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/caring-someone-ms 
Advance care planning - information from the MS Trust - mstrust.org.uk/a-z/advance-care-planning
The MS Trust announce Oritsé Williams as its new celebrity ambassador -mstrust.org.uk/news/ms-trust-announce-oritse-williams-its-new-celebrity-ambassador

Caring organisations for young carers

https://www.mytimeyoungcarers.org/ - MYTIME Young Carers
https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/supporting-young-carers/ - Children's society
https://carers.org/about-caring/about-young-adult-carers - Carers UK

Send us a message about the podcast. For questions about MS please contact our helpline 0800 032 38 39

Waiting for a potential multiple sclerosis diagnosis can be daunting. In this episode, we explore the "limbo land" time during your first appointments and a possible MS diagnosis.

Neurologist, Dr Emma Tallantyre, joins us to talk about the importance of reaching out to your healthcare professionals, managing stress and more!

We discuss the roles of neurologists and the tests you might go through. Plus, we cover some top tips for preparing for each appointment and what to do next.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the diagnostic journey, treatments, and the value of support from healthcare professionals, family, and friends.

Listen now for expert advice, personal stories, and community support.

Show notes

- Worried you have MS?: mstrust.org.uk//information-support/ms-symptoms-diagnosis/worried-you-have-ms
- MS Trust what is MS?: mstrust.org.uk/about-ms/what-ms
- MS trust how is MS diagnosed?: mstrust.org.uk/about-ms/what-ms/how-ms-diagnosed
- MS Trust newly diagnosed: mstrust.org.uk/about-ms/newly-diagnosed
- MS Trust  A-Z of MS : mstrust.org.uk/a-z
- MS Trust questions to ask a health professionals:  mstrust.org.uk/a-z/questions-ask-health-professionals
- MS Trust contact us:  mstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/contact-us
- Diagnosing MS - Lumbar puncture video: youtube.com/watch?v=dGmZt6XmZAQ
- Diagnosing MS - Evoked potentials tests video: youtube.com/watch?v=DttdmivruP4
- Diagnosing MS - MRI scan video youtube.com/watch?v=Erz_nGg4iII

Send us a message about the podcast. For questions about MS please contact our helpline 0800 032 38 39

Do you have feel embarrassed about your MS symptoms? Do you find some topics difficult to talk about?
You’re not the only one. 85% of people we surveyed felt embarrassed by at least one of their symptoms and many of the community were hiding their symptoms from their partners.
A third of people living with MS also avoided seeking medical help due to embarrassment. It’s time to shatter the stigma.
MS Trust ambassadors, Trishna Bharadia, Dr Agne Straukiene and Richard Sprenger tackle taboo subjects like sexual dysfunction, bladder and bowel issues, drugs and opening up to your employer.
Listen now for honest experiences, tips and more.

Show Notes

MS Awareness Week 2024
mstrust.org.uk/get-involved/ms-awareness-week
Working life and MS
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/work-money-legal/working-life
Equality act
mstrust.org.uk/a-z/equality-act
Sexual problems for men with MS
mstrust.org.uk/a-z/sexual-problems-men-ms
Sexual problems for women with MS
mstrust.org.uk/a-z/sexual-problems-women-ms
Bladder and Bowel problems
mstrust.org.uk/a-z/bladder-and-bowel-problems

Podcasts
How can I manage my MS bowel problems?
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/how-can-i-manage-my-ms-bowel-problems
How can I manage my MS bladder problems?
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/how-can-i-manage-my-ms-bladder-problems
Talking toilet troubles in MS
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/talking-toilet-troubles-ms
Cognition and thinking problems in MS
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/cognition-and-thinking-problems-ms
Sex and MS part 1 (women)
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/sex-and-ms-part-1-women
Sex and MS part 2 (men)
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/sex-and-ms-part-2-men
Relationships and MS
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/relationships-and-ms
Working life and MS
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/working-life-and-ms

Send us a message about the podcast. For questions about MS please contact our helpline 0800 032 38 39

Have you ever wondered how your hormones might affect your MS?
We're joined by podcast guests Olivia Mason, a woman diagnosed with multiple sclerosis not long after giving birth, and Professor Ruth Dobson, a consultant neurologist specialising in MS.
Together, we explore how periods, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can influence MS.
 
Here's what we cover
•      Can periods make MS symptoms worse?
•      Is pregnancy protective for women with MS?
•      Can you use disease modifying drugs (DMDs) whilst pregnant?
•      Can women with MS safely breastfeed?
•      How does menopause affect MS symptoms?
•      Plus, Olivia shares her personal experience and insights on navigating an MS diagnosis as a new mother.
 
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand more about how periods, pregnancy, breastfeeding and the menopause can affect multiple sclerosis.

Listen now for all of the latest information, tips and more!

Episode notes
- MS Trust  A-Z on MS and Hormones: mstrust.org.uk/a-z/hormones
- MS Trust  A-Z on MS and pregnancy: mstrust.org.uk/search/pregnancy
- MS Trust  A-Z on MS and breastfeeding: mstrust.org.uk/a-z/breastfeeding
- MS Trust  A-Z on MS and menopause: mstrust.org.uk/search/menopause
- MS Trust  Podcast on  MS and menopause: mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/how-does-menopause-affect-ms
- Can the menopause affect MS - Research update: mstrust.org.uk/research/research-updates/update151013-menopause-MS
-UK guidelines for treating multiple sclerosis symptoms during pregnancy - Research Update: mstrust.org.uk/news/research/230515-uk-guidelines-treating-multiple-sclerosis-symptoms-during-pregnancy
- Why I created The Twelve Day Marathon - Blog by Olivia on MS Trust website: mstrust.org.uk/news/stories/why-i-created-twelve-day-marathon
- UK MS pregnancy Register: ukmsregister.org/pregnancy

Send us a message about the podcast. For questions about MS please contact our helpline 0800 032 38 39

Bowel problems and MS. The underdiscussed topic that can leave many feeling anxious about leaving home. Have you experienced constipation or incontinence and wondered what part multiple sclerosis plays in them?

Our podcast guests, Noreen Barker (MS Nurse Consultant) and Concetta Brugaletta (Clinical Nurse Specialist), are on a mission to shatter the stigma around bowel issues and MS. We talk treatments, strategies, tips and more!

Join us as we discuss the loo taboo. Plus, find out what options are available for people living with MS bowel issues.

 Listen now.

Show notes
Bowel problems in MS - information from MS Trust - mstrust.org.uk/a-z/bowel-problems
Manging your Bowel - Free book from MS Trust
shop.mstrust.org.uk/publications/managing-your-bowels
Ask the expert  bladder and bowel problems in MS - information from the MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/news/expert/ask-expert-bowel-and-bladder-problems-ms
Finding a toilet when out and about - article from MS Trust - mstrust.org.uk/news/expert/finding-toilet-when-out-and-about

Send us a message about the podcast. For questions about MS please contact our helpline 0800 032 38 39

Are MS bladder problems bursting the seams of your day-to-day life? You’re not alone. Around 75% of people living with MS experience bladder issues and we know how frustrating and isolating they can be.
That’s why we’re talking to MS specialist nurse, Grace Hazlett, about treatment options, preventative strategies and practical advice. She gives us the low down on pelvic floor exercises, fluid retention, catheters and more!
Whether you’re constantly fighting the urge to go, or looking for ways to prevent future bladder problems, this might just be the podcast for you.
Listen now to find out tips, tricks, and practical advice to support MS bladder issues.

Show notes
Bladder problems in MS - information from MS Trust - mstrust.org.uk/a-z/bladder-problems Manging your Bladder - Free book from MS Trust
shop.mstrust.org.uk/publications/managing-your-bladder/
Ask the expert  bladder and bowel problems in MS - information from the MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/news/expert/ask-expert-bowel-and-bladder-problems-ms
What can you do about bladder problems in MS - MS Trust video with  Angie Rantell, Consultant Nurse in Urogynaecology youtu.be/qXitm--wAnw

Send us a message about the podcast. For questions about MS please contact our helpline 0800 032 38 39

Living with MS means you might hit some unexpected mental health turbulence at times. Throw in the cost of living crisis, shocking world events and the gloomy news cycle and things around you can easily start to feel pressurised.

Well, we may not have the answers to all of the world’s problems, but what we do have is a rather brilliant podcast guest: Professor Derek Willis. He tells us how being kind to yourself can unlock new perspectives in life. Plus, he outlines some practical strategies for managing the expectations of others and taking healthy breaks.

 Listen now for tips, tricks and more! And … breathe. 

Episode notes
MS and mindfulness with Justin Standfield - video on YouTube
Mindfulness and MS - Information from MS Trust
Wellbeing and MS - Information from MS Trust
Can mindfulness really help my MS? - podcast from MS Trust
MS: your emotions and feelings - podcast from MS Trust