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

What questions have the MS community been asking in 2024? We took to social media and analysed our helpline enquiries to find out.

Dr Claire Winchester and Corinne from our helpline team take us through the topics and explore the available information, support and self-management strategies.

Plus, we cover some of the more unusual things that you’ve been asking about, like tattoos, Botox and lip fillers. Ready to find out more?

Listen now for trusted information, tips and more.

Show Notes

• MS Trust Helpline
• MS Trust Shop - Here you can download all MS Trust publications for free
• 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/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/botulinum-toxin-botox MS Trust information about botox
• mstrust.org.uk/a-z/mcdonald-criteria MS Trust information about about the McDonald's Criteria
• mstrust.org.uk/news/think-you-know-how-spot-uti - Think you can spot an UTI - info from the MS Trust

Call our free helpline on 0800 032 38 39 for practical information you can trust. Or email ask@mstrust.org.uk. We're here weekdays from 10am to 4pm, except bank holidays.

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

Is public transport derailing your life? We caught up with Meg Barnett (Transport For All), Flora (MS Trust helpline), Richard Sprenger and Antoinette Mohamed on public transport tips, helpful information and all the latest resources.

“It’s just really complicated. I hate having medical appointments because it’s so difficult to get to them.” - Antoinette

Does this sound familiar? If public transport is derailing your life, you’re not alone.

Between all of the planning, symptom management, inaccessible stations and social interactions, public transport can feel like you’ve got a one-way ticket to exhaustion on the fatigue express.

In fact, 77% of people in our study reported feelings of isolation due to barriers in transport and travel.

That’s why we caught up with Meg Barnett from the charity Transport For All, Flora from the MS Trust helpline team, MS Trust Ambassador Richard Sprenger and regular MS Trust blogger Antoinette Mohamed.

Our podcast guests talk us through their public transport wins and the inevitable disaster journeys. Plus, we hear about helpful apps, journey planning tips and where to turn to when our travels go severely off-track.

Whilst we know that we can’t wave a magic wand and fix public transport for the MS community, this episode might just give you a little more confidence the next time you’re setting sail on an adventure.

Listen now for all of the latest trusted information and tips.

Episode Notes
Driving and Transport - info from MS Trust
mstrust.org.uk/information-support/home-and-travel/driving-and-public-transport
Life changing: getting around with MS - information from MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/news/life-changing-getting-around-ms
Transport for All - www.transportforall.org.uk
Passenger Assistance - https://passengerassistance.com/
Citymapper - travel planner app - https://citymapper.com/?lang=en
MS Trust Facebook Group

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

Are you wondering how to stay productive while managing MS? Perhaps you are looking for ways to disclose your diagnosis without derailing your career? Then join us as we delve into the topic of MS at work.

Hosts Nick and Helena explore the impact of Multiple Sclerosis in the workplace and share strategies for Bringing Your MS to Work.

We have a jam-packed show with four fantastic guests:

• Dr. Blanca de Dios Pérez, a postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham, who shares her research aimed at helping people with MS stay in the workforce for as long as they choose with the help of vocational rehab.
• Amy and Sam from the charity “MS Together” discuss their personal journeys with MS in the workplace and the supportive conversations they have been having within their community.
• Jane, recently diagnosed with MS, shares her experience of revealing her diagnosis at work,

Tune in to hear these stories and get some ideas in managing MS in your workplace. Let’s bring your MS to work!

Episode Notes

• MS Trust web page on Working life with MS: mstrust.org.uk/life-ms/your-finances/working-life
• Bring your MS To work Campaign mstrust.org.uk/get-involved/bring-your-ms-work - Fundraising Campaign from MS Trust
• MS Together mstogether.org/ - MS charity for young people with MS
• Volunteer at the MS Trust mstrust.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering
• Working life and MS mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/working-life-and-ms - Podcast episode about MS and your rights at work

Other work resources that might be useful

• MS Awareness Week webinar on work and MS: mstrust.org.uk/get-involved/ms-awareness-week/work-and-ms-webinar
• MS Trust web page on Working life with MS: mstrust.org.uk/life-ms/your-finances/working-life
• MS Trust web page on Legal advice: mstrust.org.uk/life-ms/your-finances/legal-advice
• MS Trust A-Z Equality Act: mstrust.org.uk/a-z/equality-act
• Law Centres offer legal advice, casework and representation: lawcentres.org.uk
• Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work
• Access to work: gov.uk/access-to-work/apply
• Acas gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice: acas.org.uk/

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

What is a driving assessment? Does your mind conjure up memories of your driving test? Do you see a 17-year-old version of yourself panicking and sweating?

Well, the second part of our podcast series on driving and multiple sclerosis covers everything that you need to know.

Occupational therapist, Wendy Valentine and driving assessor, James Hinkins take us through the roadmap on driving assessments, car adaptions, the DVLA and more!

We find out how the assessors are there to promote your independence and keep you on the road for as long as they can.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out part one where we heard all about the Motability Scheme and MS.

If you’ve ever felt worried about driving and MS, this is the podcast for you. Start your engines and join us as we motor through all the latest tips and information on driving and MS.

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

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

How car adaptations gave me my independence back - blog from MS Trust: mstrust.org.uk/news/stories/how-car-adaptations-gave-me-my-independence-back

www.drivingmobility.org.uk - info from Driving mobility UK

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