The MS Trust podcast

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

Pain can be one of the most difficult MS symptoms to describe, and there’s no single approach to managing it that works for everyone.

For Pain Awareness Month, we revisit some of the most useful and memorable moments from our conversations about pain and MS we have had on our podcast.

We hear from people living with MS and healthcare professionals as we explore why MS pain can feel so different from person to person, what’s happening when pain becomes persistent, and the different tools that can help with managing it.

With insights from Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Phil Simpson, Lead Pain Specialist Nurse Katrine Dyer, mindfulness teacher Justin Standfield, who lives with MS, and Heather, sharing her personal experience of MS pain.

Episode notes: 

Previous MS Trust podcast episodes:

Managing MS nerve pain: what you can do yourself - mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/managing-ms-nerve-pain-what-you-can-do-yourself 

Coping with MS pain in the long term: how to look after your mental health - mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/coping-ms-pain-long-term-how-look-after-your-mental-health

Bonus episode: guided mindfulness meditation for MS pain - mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/bonus-episode-guided-mindfulness-meditation-ms-pain

Helpful resourses:

• Pain and MS - info from the MS Trust
• Treating nerve pain in MS  - info from the MS Trust
• Pain resources - info from the MS Trust
• Mindfulness and MS - info from the MS Trust
• Wellbeing and MS - information hub to help you support your emotional wellbeing
• MS and mindfulness with Justin Standfield - Video with Justin from MS
• A selection mindfulness apps (not reviewed or endorsed by the MS Trust)
  • Headspace
  • Calm
  • Insight Timer

Resources mentioned by Dr Phil Simpson 

livewellwithpain.co.uk -  website with resources and information

paintoolkit.org - focused on self management and has been created by an expert by experience 

flippinpain.co.uk-  focused on challenging misconceptions about pain problems.

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

MS relapses can be worrying, confusing and unpredictable. How do you know if you're experiencing a relapse, a temporary flare-up of symptoms, or the effects of something else like stress, heat or an infection?

In this episode of MS Trust Podcast, we are joined by MS nurse Cat Alexander to answer some of the most common questions about relapses. We explore what relapses are, how to recognise the signs, when symptoms may need urgent attention, what treatment options are available, and what recovery can look like.

You'll also hear practical advice and personal experiences from the MS Trust community on how they manage relapses.

Episode notes:

mstrust.org.uk/information-support/ms-symptoms-diagnosis/managing-ms-relapses - MS relapses and their management - info from MS Trust

mstrust.org.uk/a-z/steroids-methylprednisolone - Steroids for MS relapses - info from MS Trust

mstrust.org.uk/information-support/ms-drugs-treatments/treatment-finder - Treatment finder - info from MS Trust

https://mstrust.org.uk/event/challenge-135km  Challenge 135km - fundraising challenge from MS Trust 

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

We often hear about the importance of brain health, but what does looking after your brain health mean when you're living with MS? And what practical steps can you take to support it every day?

In this episode of the MS Trust podcast, we speak with Consultant Neurologist Dr Agne Straukiene, about the everyday habits that can help support brain health. We discuss the role of movement, sleep, stress management, nutrition, cognitive wellbeing and other lifestyle factors that can help support thinking, memory and overall wellbeing.

We also spoke to Consultant Neurologist and Professor Nikos Evangelou and Postdoctoral Researcher Dr Silvia at the MS Trust Conference where we discussed how people with MS can make meaningful and sustainable changes to improve wellbeing and how to set realistic goals to help these changes.

Episode notes:
-Brain health and MS - Information from the MS Trust: mstrust.org.uk/a-z/brain-health

-Exercise and MS  - Information from the MS Trust: mstrust.org.uk/information-support/exercise-ms

- Diet and MS - Information from the MS Trust: mstrust.org.uk/information-support/diet-ms

- Lifestyle Choices  - Information from the MS Trust: mstrust.org.uk/information-support/wellbeing-ms/lifestyle-choices

- Sleep and MS - Information from the MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/information-support/wellbeing-ms/sleep

- Avoiding the brain drain in MS how to keep your mind fit and fed - Podcast from the MS Trust  mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/avoiding-brain-drain-ms-how-keep-your-mind-fit-and-fed

- Bee Well with MS podcast -podcast from Dr Agne Straukiene

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

Fatigue is one of the most common and misunderstood MS symptoms. In this episode, we explore what MS fatigue really is, the emotional weight it can carry, and practical ways to manage fatigue in daily life. We're joined by Helen Cole, occupational therapist; Ruth Stross, MS nurse and Director of Services and Health Professional Lead at the MS Trust; and Dr Rebecca McGuire, Associate Professor in Psychology who lives with MS herself. Together we discuss all aspects of MS fatigue, from how to avoid the "boom and bust" cycle through pacing and planning, to navigating feelings of guilt and frustration when fatigue stops you doing things the way you used to.

Episode Notes

Information on fatigue from MS Trust: mstrust.org.uk/a-z/fatigue
Living with fatigue booklet: shop.mstrust.org.uk/publications/living-with-fatigue/
Telling people at work that you have MS: shop.mstrust.org.uk/publications/telling-people-at-work-that-you-have-ms/
Ask the Expert coping with fatigue: mstrust.org.uk/news/expert/ask-expert-coping-ms-fatigue
Learning to listen to fatigue - a personal story on fatigue: mstrust.org.uk/news/stories/learning-listen-fatigue
Fatigue, more than just being tired - a personal story on fatigue: mstrust.org.uk/news/stories/fatigue-more-just-being-tired

Online fatigue management course from MS Society www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/signs-and-symptoms/fatigue/managing-fatigue/online-fatigue-management-course 

 Miles for MS challenge: mstrust.org.uk/event/miles-ms

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

In this episode of the MS Trust podcast, We take a closer look at corticosteroids and how they’re used to treat MS relapses. Joined by MS nurse Mavis Ayer and MS specialist pharmacist Stavroula Charisi, we break down what steroids actually do, when they’re recommended, and why experiences can vary so much.

We talk about:
When steroids should (and shouldn’t) be used
How steroid treatment is given
Possible side effects and how they’re monitored
What to expect during and after a course
Listen now to better understand the role of steroids in treating MS relapses.

Show notes:
Steroids for MS relapses
mstrust.org.uk/a-z/steroids-methylprednisolone
Managing MS relapses
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/ms-symptoms-diagnosis/managing-ms-relapses
Treatment finder
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/ms-drugs-treatments/treatment-finder

Diary of a steroid taker by Carla King, a personal story from MS Trust - mstrust.org.uk/news/stories/diary-a-steroid-taker-carla-king

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

Getting an MS diagnosis can be straightforward for some people, but for many it’s a long, confusing journey filled with uncertainty. In this episode, we explore one of the questions the MS Trust is asked most often: How is MS actually diagnosed?

We look at why diagnosis can take time, what tests are involved, why symptoms aren’t always obvious, and what happens when tests give unclear results.

We’re joined by Professor Alasdair Coles, neurologist and MS specialist, who guides us through the current diagnosis process from first symptoms to MRIs, lumbar punctures, evoked potentials, OCT scans, and what will happen after the point of diagnosis.

Episode notes

• How MS is diagnosed - info from the MS Trust
• Lumbar puncture  - info from the MS Trust
• Evoked potentials - info from the MS Trust
• McDonald criteria - info from the MS Trust
• Disease modifying drugs (DMDs) - info from the MS Trust
• Limbo land - what you can do while you wait for an MS diagnosis - MS Trust podcast
• Wellbeing and MS - information hub to help you support your emotional wellbeing

Video resources from MS Trust

• What happens in a Neurological examination?
• What is a Lumbar Puncture?
• What is an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) test?

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

Living with persistent MS-related pain isn’t just a physical challenge it can take a big toll on your emotional wellbeing and mental health too. In this episode, we explore the psychological impact of chronic pain.

We are joined by Dr Phillip Simpson, Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of NHS experience, and Heather Daly, who shares her personal journey of living with MS and chronic pain, as we explore topics such as

• What chronic pain really means and how it affects the mind
• The emotional challenges of living with persistent MS pain
• How psychological therapies such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness can help
• Practical coping strategies, acceptance, and behaviour change techniques

If you are living with long term MS and what to explore different approaches to cope with it psychologically, this is the episode for you

Episode notes

• Pain and MS - info from the MS Trust
• Treating nerve pain in MS  - info from the MS Trust
• Pain resources - info from the MS Trust
• Mindfulness and MS - info from the MS Trust
• Wellbeing and MS - information hub to help you support your emotional wellbeing

Resources mentioned by Dr Phil Simpson 

livewellwithpain.co.uk -  website with resources and information

paintoolkit.org - focused on self management and has been created by an expert by experience 

flippinpain.co.uk-  focused on challenging misconceptions about pain problems.

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

In this special bonus episode of the MS Trust Podcast, mindfulness teacher Justin Standfield shares two guided meditations designed to help ease the challenges of living with MS pain. You’ll hear a shorter practice for pain awareness and relief, plus a longer meditation created especially for chronic pain. These two meditations can offer practical tools to bring comfort and calm whenever pain feels overwhelming.

Episode notes

• Pain and MS - info from the MS Trust
• Treating nerve pain in MS  - info from the MS Trust
• Pain resources - info from the MS Trust
• Mindfulness and MS - info from the MS Trust
• Wellbeing and MS - information hub to help you support your emotional wellbeing
• MS and mindfulness with Justin Standfield - Video with Justin from MS Trust's YouTube
• Can mindfulness really help with my MS? - podcast from the MS Trust with Justin

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

Neuropathic pain or nerve pain is one of the most challenging symptoms of MS, unpredictable, intrusive, and often invisible. In this episode, we focus on what people can do themselves, at home, to ease that pain and take back some control. We talk to lead pain specialist nurse Katherine Dyer and mindfulness teacher Justin Standfield who share practical strategies and calming techniques that can make a real difference. We also meet the MS Trust helpline team and learn more about the vital support they provide to people affected by MS.

Episode notes:

Episode notes

• Pain and MS - info from the MS Trust
• Treating nerve pain in MS  - info from the MS Trust
• Pain resources - info from the MS Trust
• Mindfulness and MS - info from the MS Trust
• Wellbeing and MS - information hub to help you support your emotional wellbeing
• MS and mindfulness with Justin Standfield - Video with Justin from MS Trust's YouTube
• Donate to MS Trust helpline - info from the MS Trust 

A selection mindfulness apps (not reviewed or endorsed by the MS Trust)

• Headspace
• Calm
• Insight Timer

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

In this episode we explore the biggest breakthroughs from ECTRIMS 2025, the world’s largest MS research conference. We look into new treatment insights, the push for inclusive research, and how people with MS can shape the future of care.

Featuring Brett Drummond from MS translate, Natalie Busari from The Nerve of My MS, Dr. Claire Winchester research and engagement, at MS Trust , and Lucy Taylor our MS Trust CEO

Episode notes

• ECTRIMS 2025 news round-up - news from the MS Trust
• Criteria used to diagnose MS updated  - news from the MS Trust
• ECTRIMS patient Community - video recordings from the day
• MS and Cognition - info from MS Trust
• Diet and MS - info from MS Trust
• Leave a gift in your will -  info from MS Trust
• MS Trust new strategy - info from MS Trust
• The Nerve of My Multiples Sclerosis - Natalie Busari Instagram