With the current high cost of living, many households are impacted, and their budgets are tightening. In this podcast, Catherine and Michael, MS Social Work Advisors discuss how to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and how to find some financial relief, with no concession card required. 

With thanks to Catherine and Michael, MS Plus Social Work Advisors.

View the episodes transcript here.

Reach out for support:
MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email [email protected]

Get in touch to share your comments and suggestions about this episode, or for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

Moneysmart
National Debt Line  Phone: 1800 007 007
Good Shepherd No Interest Loans (NILs)

Government Energy Comparison websites
Victoria
NSW, ACT, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania

Being safe online:
Scam Watch

Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  

MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional. 

Nutrition can play an important role for women when trying to conceive, and it can be hard to find evidence-based information when thinking about making changes to your diet. Accredited Practising Dietitian and Certified Fertility Dietitian, Mariam Metwally discuss the impact of nutrition on preconception and fertility, and the specific considerations for women with MS.

Mariam, founder of Tayyib Nutrition, is passionate about helping women gain relief from conditions like PCOS and supporting women optimise their diet and lifestyle to support fertility and preconception health. She's also passionate about MS and using diet and lifestyle to help improve quality of life, particularly for women in the preconception period. 

This podcast is presented as part of the MS Australia Community Program for Women’s Health Week 2023.

With thanks to Mariam Metwally from  Tayyib Nutrition

View the episode transcript here.

Reach out for support:
MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email [email protected]

Get in touch to share your comments and suggestions about this episode, or for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]

Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  

MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional. 

Dr Francesca Bridge is a Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Fellow at the Alfred Hospital and a PhD Candidate at Monash University.  Clinically, Francesca cares for people with multiple sclerosis and other neuroimmunological conditions.  Her research interests lie in women’s health and multiple sclerosis.  Specifically, the impact of menopause on MS disease activity and the risk of cervical cancer in MS. In this podcast, Dr Bridge discuss the relationship between sex hormones and MS disease activity, and clinical course, particularly around the time of menopause. She discusses treatments for women experiencing menopause and empowering women to talk about their experience, rather than suffer in silence.

With thanks to Dr Francesca Bridge.

View the episodes transcript here.

Reach out for support:
MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email [email protected]

Get in touch to share your comments and suggestions about this episode, or for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]

Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  

MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional. 

For someone living with MS, the changes in sensory load and sensations can impact on one’s quality of life. In the Learn from Me series, MS Plus Peer support coordinator Kim chats with Mark who shares his experience of sensory symptoms since being diagnosed with MS. Mark discusses the challenges and offers helpful tips and strategies that help him manage every day.

With thanks to Mark Elisha, MS Peer.

Read the episode transcript here.

Reach out for support: MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email [email protected]

Get in touch to share your comments and suggestions about this episode, or for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]

Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  

MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional. 

Good sleep can be hard to get, and it’s vital for wellbeing. Sleep Coach Carla Butler shares tips for good sleep, and why this is so critical for good health.

Presenter:

Carla Butler is a sleep and recovery coach, and a women’s health coach from Ora Sleep Coaching. Carla's passion for sleep coaching was sparked by her own personal tragedy, after her father passed away due to chronic disease, partly caused by his poor sleep health and Carla knew that she needed to take action to protect her own health and longevity. Through her own journey to better sleep, Carla has gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise that she now uses to help others live better lives through private coaching, public workshops, and corporate seminars. 

With thanks to Carla Butler.

Read the episode transcript here.

Reach out for support:

MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or [email protected]

Get in touch to share your comments and suggestions about this episode, or for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]

Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  

MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional. 

Anjelo Ratnachandra is the founder of Beyond Pain and an award-winning physiotherapist who established one of the first private chronic pain and fatigue physiotherapy services in Australia. Anjelo has extensive experience having worked with chronic illnesses for almost 2 decades, and also experiences chronic pain himself. Aside from his work at Beyond pain, he is on the board of Chronic Pain Australia. Anjelo discusses his experience with chronic pain and the importance of treating the many complex facets of pain, such as mental health.

With thanks to Anjelo Ratnachandra, Founder & Director from Beyond Pain

Read the episode transcript here.

Chronic Pain Australia's National Pain Week is Australia’s annual awareness event for chronic pain. National Pain Week takes place in the last week of July each year. National Pain Week 2023 will run from 24-30 July 2023. 

Reach out for support: MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or mail to [email protected]  

Get in touch to share your comments and suggestions about this episode, or for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]

Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  

MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional. 

Men face greater health risks than women in Australia, they are less likely to seek help from their doctor and often don’t go until an illness is in its later stages. Jeff Lawrance, Senior Delivery Manager and Occupational Therapist with the MS Plus Employment Support Service discusses the barriers that men with MS face in the workplace, and how things such as stereotypical views of masculinity can influence this. Jeff offers invaluable advice and strategies to help you overcome these barriers and assist you in making the changes to feel better at work. 

With thanks to Jeff Lawrance.

Read the episodes transcript here.

Reach out for support: MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email to [email protected]  
Want support at work, get in touch with the Employment Support Service

Get in touch to share your comments and suggestions about this episode, or for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]

Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  

MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional. 

Clinical trials are essential for the development of new medications and interventions, but how are they run and what is involved when you agree to participate in one? Dr Therese Burke AM is working as the Clinical Platform Coordinator at MS Australia to bring adaptive clinical trials to life for people with multiple sclerosis. Therese has been working in clinical trials and research since 1993 and, explains what a clinical trial might involve for participants.

With thanks to Dr Therese Burke AM, Clinical Platform Coordinator at MS Australia

Read the episode transcript here.
For more information about clinical trials: MS Trials

Reach out for support: MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email  [email protected]  

Feedback? Email us at [email protected]

Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  

MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional. 

With thanks to Simon Webster, MS Trust UK

Read the episode transcript here.

Reach out for support: MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email  [email protected]  

Get in touch to share your comments and suggestions about this episode, or for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]

Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  

MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional. 

MS Plus Executive Manager and Nurse Practitioner, Jodi Haartsen discusses the stigmatisation of women’s health issues, and the barriers women face to accessing and receiving quality care. Jodi also examines the future of women’s and girls’ health and how this will impact how we think of women’s health needs in MS.

Jodi is a registered MS Nurse who has helped thousands of patients over her 20 years’ experience at Eastern Health MS service in Australia, in several roles including nurse educator, research nurse and nurse practitioner. Jodi is the 2022 winner of the global MS Brain Health Leader Award in the Independent Healthcare Professionals category.

With thanks to Jodi Haartsen.

View the episodes transcript here.

Reach out for support:
MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email [email protected]

Get in touch to share your comments and suggestions about this episode, or for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]

Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  

MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional.