✨ Episode Summary: Traveling with Multiple Sclerosis can feel overwhelming at first—I’ve been there. You might be wondering: Can I still fly long distances? Will my meds stay safe? What if I get sick abroad? These are all valid concerns.

But trust me, with a bit of planning and the right mindset, MS doesn’t have to hold you back. In this episode, I’m sharing 10 practical travel tips from my own experience—having visited places like Australia, Japan, Namibia, Cuba, and more since my diagnosis.

👉 Read the full blog post here: https://ms-perspektive.com/114-traveling

💬 What I’ll Share with You:

• How to choose the right destination with MS in mind

• Why your medication belongs in your hand luggage—always

• How to deal with heat, fatigue, and jet lag

• Adjusting medication timing across time zones

• What to know about vaccinations and medical prep

• How to keep meds cool even on long journeys

• Tips for organizing your documents and staying safe

• Why you should still chase your travel dreams

❤️ From Me to You: I’m not here to sugarcoat things—but I am here to show you that traveling with MS is totally doable. You deserve adventures and unforgettable memories. Let me help you feel more confident hitting the road, the skies, or even the ocean (yes, I went scuba diving!).

🧳 Bonus: Grab my free travel checklist for MS from the blog to make sure you're fully prepared.

🎧 Listen Now Let’s get you ready for your next trip—MS and all. I’ve got your back.

See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

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Guest: Dr. Irina Fedulow Plante Title: Doctor of Physical Therapy, Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist Founder of NeuroMamaTribe and Mountain Neuro Wellness & Physical Therapy Location: Truckee, California, USA

💡 About This Episode

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Irina Fedulow Plante—physical therapist, neurologic clinical specialist, and founder of NeuroMamaTribe. Irina shares her passion for helping women with multiple sclerosis (MS) through an integrative and deeply empowering approach that blends neuroscience, movement, and motherhood.

If you’re a woman navigating MS—or supporting someone who is—this conversation will leave you feeling seen, supported, and hopeful.

🧭 In This Episode 👣 Her Journey

• Why she specialized in MS rehabilitation

• The story behind NeuroMamaTribe

🧘‍♀️ Movement & MS

• Common exercise myths in the MS world

• How ballet, yoga, and nature can help

• One simple routine to get started

🔄 Hormones & Life Stages

• How menstruation, pregnancy & menopause affect MS

• Tips for managing symptom fluctuations

• Physical therapy insights for pregnancy & postpartum recovery

🌿 Whole-Person Wellness

• Incorporating breathwork, mindfulness & body awareness into PT

• Why emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness matter in MS care

👭 Empowerment & Support

• When to seek professional rehab support

• How NeuroMamaTribe supports women at different life stages

⚡ Quickfire Round

• "For me, MS is..."

• What Irina wants to see in the field of MS in the next 5 years

🗨️ Quotes to Remember – Dr. Irina Fedulow Plante

“MS is a teacher. It teaches resilience, surrender, and the power of presence.”

“You are not broken. Your body is communicating with you. Healing is possible—in body, mind, and spirit.”

📌 Resources & Links

🔗 Website: neuromamatribe.com 📸 Instagram: @neuromamatribe 📰 Subscribe to her newsletter for updates on tools, programs, and upcoming events

🔔 Don’t Miss Future Episodes!

Subscribe to my podcast and leave a review—it helps more people find these powerful stories.

❤️ Final Words

See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

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🎙 Click here for an overview of all podcast episodes published so far

Learn how MSIF is shaping a better future for people with MS—through global collaboration, advocacy, and the power of lived experience.

Read the interview highlights on my blog: https://ms-perspektive.com/112-msif

The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) plays a vital role in uniting the global MS community to improve the lives of people affected by multiple sclerosis. In this inspiring interview, Peer Baneke, former CEO, and Lydia Makaroff, the new CEO, share their insights on past milestones, current challenges, and the future vision of MSIF. From global access to treatments, early diagnosis, and mental health support to patient-led research and digital innovation—this conversation offers valuable perspectives for anyone living with MS or working to support those who do.

👉 Take a moment to listen to the full podcast episode or read the interview highlights—whether you’re living with MS, supporting a loved one, or working in the field, there’s something here for you. Let’s stay connected, informed, and inspired—together with the global MS community. 💪🧡

Table of Contents

• Introduction & Personal Insights
• The Mission of MSIF
• Global Impact and Collaboration
• Advocacy and Access to Care
• Patient Voices and Well-being
• Research, Innovation and the Future
• Strengthening the Global MS Movement
• Final Reflections

Introduction & Personal Insights Peer, you recently retired after many years at MSIF. Could you briefly introduce yourself and share a personal hobby that kept you grounded during your time as CEO?

Peer Baneke: I’m Peer Baneke, and I served as CEO of MSIF for 18 years. Before that, I worked in human rights and refugee support. MS is close to my heart—my father had MS—and I’ve lived in and around London for over 40 years. What keeps me grounded is my family and cycling. Now that I’m retired, I enjoy even more time for it.

Lydia, congratulations on your new role! Can you tell us a bit about your background and what motivates you to lead MSIF?

Lydia Makaroff: Thank you! I grew up in Australia and worked in the US, Belgium, and now here. I’ve always believed in international collaboration. My background spans science, the pharmaceutical industry, and civil society. What drives me is the opportunity MSIF has to truly create global change for people affected by MS.

Peer, what message of hope would you like to share?

Peer Baneke: There will be progress. Despite global challenges, research and advocacy are moving forward. The commitment of the MS community gives me great hope for the future.

Lydia, where can listeners learn more about MSIF?

Lydia Makaroff: Visit www.msif.org, and follow us on Instagram or LinkedIn. Also, check out www.worldmsday.org and join our MS Heart Challenge on May 30th.

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Thank you for the incredible achievements so far, and for all the important work MSIF is doing and will continue to do in the future.

See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

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Learn more about my experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, prenatal classes, and breastfeeding with multiple sclerosis.

You can read through the complete post on my blog: https://ms-perspektive.com/111-childbirth

Today, I’m sharing my experiences of pregnancy, birth preparation, giving birth, the postpartum period, and breastfeeding with MS. I’ve now had the privilege of experiencing this exciting time twice. Fortunately, everything went quite smoothly for me, and I want to encourage you to fulfill your dream of having children if that’s what you want.

Are you currently thinking about having children or would you like to find out more in advance? In this article, I share my experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding with you and give you some tips. Having children with MS is usually just as easy or difficult as it is without this diagnosis. However, more planning is required to keep the disease under control so that you can focus mainly on the anticipation and then on your baby.

Table of Contents

• Diagnosis and desire to have children
• Pregnancy with multiple sclerosis
• Birth preparation course
• The delivery
• Postpartum
• Breastfeeding
• Re-entry immunotherapy
• Tips for you
• Who should know about your MS diagnosis?
• Good luck!
• Further information

Finally, I would like to wish you the best of luck in fulfilling your dream of having children. Try not to worry too much and enjoy the anticipation of your little miracle. You will certainly be a wonderful mother in your own unique way.

Further information

You may also be interested in the following article on this topic:

• #055: Therapeutic decisions regarding pregnancy and lactation with Prof. Celia Oreja-Guevara

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Many thanks for the positive insight views into the topic of pregnancy and lactation with MS.

See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

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Neuroradiologist Prof. Mike Wattjes explains in easy-to-understand terms what you need to know about MRI scans for MS.

You can read through the transcript here: https://ms-perspektive.com/110-10-mri-facts

This time, I have translated the original German interview with Prof. Dr. Mike P. Wattjes on the importance of MRI as an imaging technique for diagnosis, progression assessment, therapy decisions, and monitoring of disease-modifying therapies in MS patients into English. Prof. Wattjes is the lead author of the MAGNIMS Guideline 2021, which provides global recommendations and standards for MRI examinations in people with MS.

He explains the ten most important things about MRI in multiple sclerosis in an easy-to-understand way. He also discusses well-established MRI imaging options that will hopefully soon be available to all MS patients and the importance of standardization in order to harness the potential of magnetic resonance imaging.

Table of Contents

• Introduction Prof. Dr. Mike P. Wattjes
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in multiple sclerosis
• Farewell

See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

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Cognitive reserve is important for PwMS as it can compensate damage caused by MS to a certain amount. Learn how to measure and improve it.

You can read through the complete article on my blog: https://ms-perspektive.com/109-cognitive-reserve

I often talk about the cognitive reserve in my podcast and blog posts. When it is used up, the brain can no longer compensate for any damage that occurs. However, it is more of a concept and not that easy to grasp, this cognitive reserve, and of course it can also be used up in other ways. So it’s time to take a closer look at it. How can you measure it and what do you do with the result? Fortunately, there are a number of training options to counteract the invisible challenges – such as memory lapses, concentration difficulties or slowed thinking. To ensure that cognitive changes do not have a significant impact, it is crucial that our brain has the ability to adapt, remain flexible and continue to function even in the event of damage or disease. The good news? Cognitive reserve is not set at birth. You can actively build and strengthen it over time, even into old age.

Find out what the concept of cognitive reserve really means, how it is measured using the Cognitive Reserve Index Questionnaire (CRIq), and, most importantly, what you can do to protect and boost your brainpower – even if you are struggling with MS-related fatigue or limited time. Whether you are just starting to explore the topic or are looking for new strategies, this guide is designed to help you take a confident step towards mental resilience.

Table of Contents

• What Is Cognitive Reserve and Why Is It Important in MS?
• What Is the CRIq and How Does It Measure Cognitive Reserve?
• What Can You Do If Your Cognitive Reserve Is Low?
• Why Aren’t These Tests Commonly Used in MS Care?
• How Reliable Is a Self-Test and What Are Its Limitations?
• Why Is It Always Worthwhile to Train Cognitive Reserve?
• How Can You Train Cognitive Reserve Effectively?
• Do I Need to Train All Areas?
• Why You Shouldn’t Be Disheartened by a Low Starting Score
• How to Start Small (Especially with Fatigue or Limited Time)
• In Summary
• More information

You can also complete the CRIq conveniently online through the official platform: https://www.cognitivereserveindex.org/choice.php. This allows you to choose between a long or short version, both designed for easy self-assessment. I’ve done it myself and provided my anonymous information to the University of Padua, Italy. It is quite basic, but gives you an idea where you stand.

More information

If you want to know more about the cognitive reserve, you might want to start with the Wikipedia article which offers further resources as always.

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See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

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Find out how AI can help you to get a more structured doctor's appointment that allows you to address all important points.

You can read through the article or copy the prompts and replacing the details with your symptoms and request: https://ms-perspektive.com/108-chatgpt

Today, I’ll show you how you can use AI, for example ChatGPT, to better prepare for your doctor’s appointment. I visit the MS Center in Dresden, Germany, once every quarter, and in all these years, it has happened often enough that I forgot to address important topics. There were different reasons for this. You probably know the feeling. When results are presented that you didn’t expect, terms are used that are new or at least not familiar enough to make you wonder. And with a chronic illness like multiple sclerosis, there may well be several topics to discuss with your doctor. Time is usually short – and when you’re nervous, it’s easy to forget half of what you need to say.

I have found that ChatGPT can help me prepare for such conversations. In this episode, I’ll show you how it can work in practical terms, using a real-world example.

Table of Contents

• Why is preparation so important?
• A practical example: MS and ChatGPT
• How do I set up a conversation like this?
• Conclusion and invitation
• Protect your private data

Protect your private data

Please remember not to upload any personal data that could be used to identify you, such as your doctor’s note with your address. Instead, upload only the section that does not include your name. Or black out all sensitive data beforehand.

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See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

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Dr. William Conte talks about the challenges and opportunities for LGBTQ+ people with MS – and how inclusive, empathetic care can succeed.

You can find the transcript on my blog: https://ms-perspektive.com/107-lgbtq

How do LGBTQ+ people with multiple sclerosis experience the healthcare system – and where do they encounter hurdles that often remain invisible? In this special episode, I talk to Dr. William Conte, a neuroimmunologist and member of the LGBTQ+ community himself, about a lack of representation, medical trust, mental health and the importance of affirmative, inclusive care.

Dr. Conte brings not only professional expertise but also personal perspective – and is passionate about ensuring that queer people with MS are finally seen, heard and receive better medical care. A conversation about courage, change and why “keeping an open mind” is sometimes the most important first step.

Table of Contents

• Introduction & Personal Perspective
• Health Disparities & Barriers to Care
• The Role of Inclusive & Culturally Competent Care
• Community, Advocacy & Research
• Quickfire Q&A Session
• Farewell

Introduction & Personal Perspective Can you share a bit about your journey as a neurologist specializing in MS and your experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community?

My journey into neurology began during my undergraduate years. I started neuroscience research by chance and quickly developed a passion for it. That led me to medical school, then a residency in neurology, and ultimately to a subspecialization in neuroimmunology. During my residency, I was drawn to MS because of the patients and the rapid advancements in therapies at the time. Being a gay man myself, I recognized a lack of representation and research in LGBTQ+ MS patients and felt compelled to become an advocate for this community.

What is your message to healthcare professionals who want to improve care for LGBTQ+ MS patients?

Be curious. You don’t need to have all the answers or hang rainbow flags everywhere. Just take the time to learn. Whether it’s attending a session on LGBTQ+ health or simply asking thoughtful, respectful questions, it shows patients that they’re in the right place.

Where can listeners find you or learn more about your work?

I’m very Googleable! You can find me through my clinic’s website or on LinkedIn. I regularly publish and speak on these topics, and I’m always happy to connect.

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See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

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MS patients can also suffer from trigeminal neuralgia, which is very painful. Dr. Köchling explains the treatment. Translated interview.

You can read the full article including the treatment details on my blog: https://ms-perspektive.com/106-trigeminal-neuralgia

This time, I've translated the German interview with Dr. Monika Köchling about the causes and treatment options for trigeminal neuralgia. Since this form of facial pain can lead to extreme restrictions in the quality of life, it is extremely important to treat it. The good news is that there are many approaches to controlling the pain or even getting rid of it completely. However, this can sometimes take a little longer and it is important to work with your doctors to find a solution and possibly try several approaches.

The original interview was in German and I adapted it for the international MS community.

Table of Contents

• Introduction Monika Köchling
• Basics of trigeminal neuralgia in MS
• Treatment options for trigeminal neuralgia in MS
• Effects of trigeminal neuralgia in MS
• Quickfire Q&A
• Farewell

Introduction Monika Köchling

I work in Grevenbroich, Germany, as a neurologist, psychiatrist and psychotherapist in a large group practice, the NeuroCentrum am Rheinlandklinikum. I live in Düsseldorf and am married for the second time. I also have two grown-up sons. My hobbies include singing in a choir, hiking and poetry.

Finally, what is the most important message you would like to give to MS patients with trigeminal neuralgia?

Attitude is crucial. Don’t despair. Become and remain resilient and dare to try new things. To quote Hilde Domin: “I put my foot in the air and it carried me.”

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Many thanks to Dr. Köchling for the in-depth insight into the treatment options for trigeminal neuralgia.

See you soon and make the most of your life,

Nele

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Sumaira Ahmed turned her NMOSD diagnosis into a global movement, founding The Sumaira Foundation to support patients and drive research.

You can read through all questions and answers on my blog: https://ms-perspektive.com/105-tsf

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) is a rare autoimmune disease that can feel isolating and overwhelming. But for Sumaira Ahmed, her diagnosis became the spark that ignited a global movement. In this episode, we dive into her personal journey with NMO, the challenges she faced, and the resilience that led her to create The Sumaira Foundation (TSF)—an organization dedicated to raising awareness, supporting patients, and funding research for NMOSD and MOGAD.

Sumaira shares raw insights into her diagnosis, the treatment landscape then vs. now, and how finding community changed everything. We also discuss the power of advocacy, the impact of TSF Ambassadors worldwide, and the exciting developments shaping the future of NMOSD care.

Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or simply interested in how one person can make a global difference, this conversation is filled with hope, inspiration, and practical insights.

Table of Contents

• Introduction – Who is Sumaira Ahmed?
• Personal Journey with NMO
• Facing Challenges & Finding Strength
• The Sumaira Foundation (TSF)
• A Message for Other Patients
• Quickfire Q&A Session
• Farewell

Introduction – Who is Sumaira Ahmed?

Hi, everyone. My name is Sumaira Ahmed, and I’m a patient living with seronegative Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD). I live in Boston, Massachusetts and was diagnosed 11 years ago after sudden vision loss and weakness.

Six weeks after my symptoms started, I received my diagnosis. Just two months later, I founded The Sumaira Foundation, which is now 11 years old. I currently serve as the Executive Director.

Finally, what advice would you give to someone who has just been diagnosed with NMO or another rare disease?

Feel what you’re feeling—it’s okay to be sad, angry, or scared. Those emotions are valid, but don’t let yourself get stuck in them. There will be light at the end of the tunnel, even if it takes longer than expected.

Believe in yourself. Our minds and bodies are capable of so much more than we think. If I had given up when I was told I had only a short time left, none of this would have happened. Don’t give up!

How and where can interested people find you online?

You can visit The Sumaira Foundation at www.sumairafoundation.org. The website is available in 25 languages so that people from around the world can access information in their native language.

We are active on social media, and you can follow us on:

• Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Blue Sky, TikTok, and YouTube
• On YouTube, we have hundreds of educational and empowerment videos for patients and caregivers.

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Nele von Horsten: That’s fantastic! Sumaira, thank you so much for your time and for sharing your incredible journey. I know I missed you at ECTRIMS in Milan, but I’m sure we’ll meet at another event soon!

Sumaira Ahmed: Absolutely, Nele! I appreciate this opportunity, and I look forward to seeing you at a future event.

 

See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

For more information and positive thoughts, subscribe to my newsletter for free.

Click here for an overview of all podcast episodes published so far.