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

Ok, you’ve heard all about mindfulness and maybe you’re even considering giving it a go. But can it actually help you manage life with MS? Is it just one of those trendy well-being fads like eating charcoal or moss smoothies (yep, they’re both actually real)?

 Mindfulness teacher, Justin Standfield, lives with MS and he joins us to dispel a couple of mindful myths. Plus, he shares some practical ways that he manages his own MS symptoms using mindfulness. 

Join us to learn tips, tricks and approaches to mindful matters and MS.

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
How to meditate for beginners - information from the NHS
comeonbabylightmyfire.com - Justin's Blog
Justin on X

 A selection mindfulness apps (not reviewed or endorsed by the MS Trust)
Headspace
Calm
Insight Timer
Simple Habit
Buddhify

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

What have the MS community been asking about this year? We interview Corinne from our helpline team who tackles the burning MS questions and trends that our service has encountered in 2023. 

 In our busiest helpline year yet, the range of questions has been vast! We cover symptoms, equipment and a whole lot more.

 Plus, Dr Claire Winchester joins us for a fun experiment! We put forward your questions to an AI chatbot to see if it could be a useful source of MS information. Dive in to see if it has same level of expertise as our helpline service.

 Listen now for tips, helpful information and more.

Episode Notes

• MS Trust Helpline
• Supporting the MS Trust - information from the MS Trust
• MS Trust Facebook Group
• mstrust.org.uk/a-z/fatigue - MS Trust information about fatigue
• mstrust.org.uk/a-z/pain - MS Trust information about pain
• mstrust.org.uk/information-support/newly-diagnosed - MS Trust information for the newly diagnosed
• mstrust.org.uk/information-support/work-money-legal/working-life  - MS Trust information about work and MS
• mstrust.org.uk/information-support/home-and-travel/equipment -  MS Trust information about equipment 
• mstrust.org.uk/a-z/altered-sensations  -  MS Trust information about altered sensations 
• mstrust.org.uk/a-z/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri - MS Trust information about MRI's
• mstrust.org.uk/news/focus-fact-or-fiction - MS Trust new item about on to work out if an information source is reliable or not 
• multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/news-posts/2023/11/27/ news item from Multiple Sclerosis news about  AI's helping out reading MRI scans.

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

If you’re not sure how to best prepare for your next MS Nurse appointment, this could be the podcast for you.

No matter where you are on your MS journey, talking about your condition can bring on a wave of emotions. Your mind is likely to be brimming with questions and points to raise.

Add in long NHS waiting lists and squeezed appointment times, and it might feel as though you’re facing a steep challenge.

When your appointment does come around, how can you make the most of your time with an MS Nurse and avoid information overload?

Our podcast guest, MS Trust Lead Nurse Specialist, Dr Lou Jarrett explores some helpful tips on how to best prepare for your appointment. 

Learn how to build long-lasting relationships with your MS Nurse, what questions to ask and what to do whilst you’re waiting to be seen.

Finally, we'll touch on why the MS Trust is on a mission to train MS Nurses in the UK.

Episode notes

• Making the most of your appointments - information from the MS Trust
• Questions to ask health professional - information from the MS Trust
• MS Trust Helpline
• The Big Give - fundraising campaign from MS Trust
• Supporting the MS Trust - information from the MS Trust
• How we train and support your MS health professionals
• Patient initiated follow-up (PIFU) - information from NHS
• MS Trust Facebook Group

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

Feeling overwhelmed and anxious at the thought of discussing your MS with a neurologist? Wondering what questions to ask and what you should bring? You’re not alone. Whether you’re preparing for your first appointment or your tenth, emotions can be heightened.

 Add in the limited time that you get to talk to them and lengthy NHS waiting lists, and it can make you feel as though you’re fighting an uphill battle.

We caught up with MS Trust Ambassador, Dr Agne Straukiene, to set out some strategies for making the most of your neurology appointments. Find out how to bring up sensitive topics, what you can do when you’re waiting to be seen and who you should bring with you. 

 Listen now to hear our helpful tips and get yourself prepared for your next neurologist appointment. 

Show notes:

Making the most of your appointments - info from the MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/information-support/newly-diagnosed/making-most-appointments
Questions to ask health professionals - info from the MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/a-z/questions-ask-health-professionals
 MS Trust Helpline: mstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/about-us/ms-helpline-and-information
Bee Well With MS Podcast with Dr Agne Straukiene  beewellwithms.com

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

Ever wondered if smoking affects your MS? Sure, we all know the health risks linked to smoking. But, does smoking cause multiple sclerosis progression? And will your MS symptoms improve if you quit smoking?
 
 We dive deep into these questions with consultant neurologist, Professor Richard Nicholas. Plus, Caroline Smith, who lives with MS, talks us through the steps she took to quit smoking. 

Listen now!

Show Notes

Smoking and MS - info from the MS Trust:  mstrust.org.uk/a-z/smoking
Quitting smoking slows down MS progression  - info from MS Trust: mstrust.org.uk/news/research/230411-quitting-smoking-slows-down-ms-progression
Five top tips for improving your lung health – blog from Jodi Barber - -mstrust.org.uk/news/expert/five-top-tips-improving-your-lung-health
Stoptober - Stop smoking campaign from NHS  www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking
The MS Register: ukmsregister.org
Set up a fundraising challenge: mstrust.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising-and-events/do-it-your-way 

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

Multiple sclerosis can affect breathing in advanced MS. But breathing problems can begin at any stage with MS. To explain more in this podcast we talk to Racheal Moses who is a Consultant Respiratory Physiotherapist and Neuro Physiotherapist Jody Barber. They explain how you can spot breathing problems early, what you can do if you have breathing difficulties and what you can do to try to prevent them occurring in the future.

 Show Notes

Breathing problems - info from the MS Trust:  mstrust.org.uk/a-z/breathing-problems
Breathing exercises - info from MS Trust: /mstrust.org.uk/information-support/exercise-ms/build-your-own-exercise-routine/breathing-exercises 

Five top tips for improving your lung health – blog from Jodi Barber - -mstrust.org.uk/news/expert/five-top-tips-improving-your-lung-health

Speech and language therapy – info from MS Trust - mstrust.org.uk/a-z/speech-and-language-therapy
Mindfulness and MS – article Jody mentions - mstrust.org.uk/news/views-and-comments/mindfulness-and-ms

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

This is a recording from a live stream we did earlier with the Head of Information and Engagement at the MS Trust Claire Winchester, we chat to her about a report called “Life changing: mental health and MS". In this report we find out about what the MS community in the UK has to say about mental with and Multiple Sclerosis.

Episode notes
Read the full report, Life changing: mental health and MS: shop.mstrust.org.uk/publications/life-changing-mental-health-and-ms/
Depression and MS - info from the MS Trust:  mstrust.org.uk/a-z/depression
Anxiety and MS - info from the MS Trust:  mstrust.org.uk/a-z/anxiety
Life changing: mental health and MS - news from MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/news/life-changing-mental-health-and-ms
Ask the expert: Mental health and MS - info from MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/news/expert/ask-expert-mental-health-and-ms
Five top tips to help health professionals look after their mental health - blog from MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/news/views-and-comments/five-top-tips-help-health-professionals-look-after-their-mental-health
It's all in your head: Mental health and MS - podcast from MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/mental-health-and-ms
MS: your emotions and feelings - live podcast from MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/ms-your-emotions-and-feelings-live
Getting to grips with using a mobility aid - podcast from MS Trust
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/getting-grips-using-mobility-aid
MS and your feelings- publication from the MS Trust shop.mstrust.org.uk/publications/ms-and-your-feelings/

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

Sleep problems are more common in people with MS than the general population. Around half of people with MS say they experience disturbed sleep.  In this episode we  talk about some common problems and some potential ways to improve your sleep. We chat to prof Michael Banissy who has written several books on the topic and we also caught up with tiktok star Jo, also known as the Yorkshire wife, to talk to her about her issues with sleep.

Show Notes
Sleep and MS - information from The MS Trust: https://mstrust.org.uk/information-support/wellbeing-ms/sleep
Focus on sleep problems - information from the MS Trust: https://mstrust.org.uk/news/expert/focus-sleep-problems-ms 
Sleep and MS podcast - podcast from MS Trust: https://mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/sleep-problems-ms
The Yorkshire Wife On tikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theyorkshirewife
 

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

 Diagnosing MS can be a lengthy procedure, and getting on a treatment path can take even longer. So what happens when you treat potential MS really early? In this episode, we talk to Professor Klaus Schmierer about the AttackMS trial. The trial, the first of its kind, aims to use a highly-effective drug to treat people within 14 days of presenting with possible MS symptoms.

 Show Notes
AttackMS trial: - classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05418010
How is MS Diagnosed - information from The MS Trust: mstrust.org.uk/information-support/ms-symptoms-diagnosis/how-is-ms-diagnosed
CIS - information from The MS Trust: mstrust.org.uk/a-z/clinically-isolated-syndrome-cis
Taking part in clinical trials - information from The MS Trust: mstrust.org.uk/information-support/ms-research/which-trials-and-where

The MS Guide video interview with other AttackMS participants  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j-t2qUhhO0
AttackMS: assessing the feasibility of multiple sclerosis treatment within 14 days of presentation - YouTube

To get in touch with AttackMS
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @AttackMS_trial
Internet: https://multiple-sclerosis-research.org/2023/02/attack-attack-attack-underway/

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

Have you been told to consider using a stick or wheelchair, but don't think you're ready for it yet? Maybe you're noticing changes to your walking ability and you’re wondering what you can do about it? In this episode, we talk to neuro physio Laura about helpful mobility aids, and how to change your perspective on using them. We also check in with Hayley (my_sassability), who was diagnosed with MS aged just 13. She now uses mobility aids and is passionately advocating the importance of being seen not just using her wheelchair, but being proud to use her wheelchair.
 
 Show notes
Hayley's Blog on MS Trust website: mstrust.org.uk/news/stories/my-sassability-if-we-are-not-seen-we-are-not-heard
A-Z of MS Walking difficulties:  mstrust.org.uk/a-z/walking-difficulties
Mobility problems and aids in MS (Part 1) podcast from MS Trust: mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/mobility-problems-and-aids-ms-part-1
Mobility problems and aids in MS (Part 2) podcast from MS Trust:
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/mobility-problems-and-aids-ms-part-2
Neuroheroes: www.neuroheroes.co.uk