• Disease Modifying Therapies with Neurologist Dr. Aaron Boster | S6E22
    Oct 30 2024
    Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re thrilled to welcome back Dr Aaron Boster as our guest! Dr Boster is a board-certified Neurologist specialising in Multiple Sclerosis. He is a frequent guest on Living Well with MS and in this episode he’s here to talk about Medication, one of the pillars of the Overcoming MS Program. Specifically, Aaron goes into detail on a wide range of disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS, as well as discussing when people should start taking DMT’s, and what they should consider before they do so. There’s lots of useful information in this episode about many different DMT options – we hope you find it useful in making the right decisions for you. Let us know what you think! Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:21 What are the medication choices for people with MS and how have they improved? 02:39 When should I start a DMT? 04:30 What should I consider when choosing a drug? 07:08 Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada) 11:14 Cladribine (Mavenclad) 15:05 Fingolimod (Gilenya) 17:13 Mitoxantrone (Novantrone) 18:39 Natalizumab (Tysabri) 21:42 Ofatumumab (Kesimpta) 25:01 Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) 28:58 Ozanimod (Zeposia) 30:35 Rituximab (Rituxan, MabThera, and Truxima) 32:34 Siponimod (Mayzent) 34:59 Avonex/ Betaferon/ Refib/ Extavia 37:49 Glatiramer Acetate (Copaxone) 40:07 Dimethyl Fumarate (Tecfidera) 42:38 Diroximel Fumarate (Vumerity) 43:46 Plegridy 44:45 Ponesimod (ponvory) 45:41 Teriflunomide (Aubagio) 50:14 Low-dose Naltrexone 52:07 BTK inhibitors Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips. More info and links: Dr Boster was on six previous Living Well with MS episodes: S1E11: Making the Right Medication ChoicesS2E17: Lifestyle Choices and Their Impact on MSS3E43: Let’s Talk About Sex (and MS)S5E5 Webinar highlights from Ask Aaron with Dr. Aaron BosterS5E36 Webinar Highlights: Ask a Neurologist with Dr Aaron BosterS6E19 Webinar Highlights: Ask a Neurologist with Dr Aaron Boster Check out Dr Boster’s popular YouTube channel covering all aspects of MSNew to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory pageConnect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well HubVisit the Overcoming MS website Follow us on social media: FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterest Don’t miss out: Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. Support us: If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.
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    58 mins
  • Webinar Highlights: Reducing stress through meditation and mindfulness with Dr Phil Startin | S6E21
    Oct 16 2024
    Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re sharing the highlights from our webinar with the incredible Dr Phil Startin! Phil is an Overcoming MS facilitator who lives with progressive MS. He’s an expert in meditation and mindfulness and teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction courses for people with MS. Phil gave us some brilliant information and really useful tips on how to meditate – it’s a fascinating listen whether you are a regular meditator or are just getting started with your practice. Let us know what you think! Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:22 Phil’s background in meditation and mindfulness 03:33 The fight or flight response 04:49 How stress dysregulates our immune system 08:47 Meditation is clinically proven to help people cope with stress 10:41 Mini meditations to try throughout the day 13:49 Guided meditation 20:06 A definition of mindfulness 23:50 The benefits of awareness, including increased resilience 28:02 Mental health tips for your daily routine Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips. More info and links: Phil Startin has been on two other Living Well with MS episodes: S5E19 Webinar highlights: Progressive MS with Phil Startin and Helen Rees LeahyS5E14 Webinar highlights: Mindfulness and Meditation with Phil Startin Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress ReductionDr Walter Cannon’s fight or flight responseMeditation expert Ian GawlerListen to meditation expert Craig Hassed S5E13 Meditation tips with Professor Craig HassedS1E7 Building a daily meditation practice with Dr Craig Hassed Shannon Harvey’s film My Year of Living Mindfully or listen to her podcast episodeHardwiring Happiness by Rick HansonNew to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory pageConnect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well HubVisit the Overcoming MS website Follow us on social media: FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterest Don’t miss out: Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. Support us: If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.
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    32 mins
  • Meditation with Overcoming MS facilitator Yvette Sargood | S6E20
    Oct 2 2024

    Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re thrilled to welcome Yvette Sargood as our guest! Yvette is an Overcoming MS facilitator and a meditation teacher who lives with MS and follows the Overcoming MS program. In this fascinating episode, Yvette talks to Geoff about meditation and mindfulness, as well as her personal journey with the MS Program, including disclosing her diagnosis to her employer and how she overcame her chocolate cravings! There’s lots of useful information and tips in this episode (including a discussion on chocolate replacements!) We hope you enjoy it – let us know what you think!

    Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.

    Topics and Timestamps:

    01:18 Yvette’s MS and Overcoming MS journey

    07:05 The progress made on DMTs and discrimination since the 1990s

    09:01 The benefits to starting the Overcoming MS program even long after diagnosis

    11:26 The decision to start a disease modifying therapy

    14:59 Her difficulties in adopting the Overcoming MS program

    16:27 Overcoming her chocolate cravings and chocolate replacements

    18:51 Maintaining a healthy weight on the Overcoming MS program

    20:23 The benefits of following the Overcoming MS program

    22:54 Disclosing a multiple sclerosis diagnosis to your employer

    26:01 Becoming an Overcoming MS facilitator

    27:46 What is mindfulness and why is it important for people with MS?

    32:53 Misconceptions about meditation and stress reduction

    35:42 Tips for people new to the Overcoming MS program

    Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.

    More info and links:
    • Download the Headspace app for meditation
    • Learn more about Disease Modifying Therapies for MS
    • Listen to a podcast featuring OMSer chef
    • Read Yvette’s article on executives and disability
    • Learn more about mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn
    • Join a mindfulness course with Yvette through MS-UK
    • Become an Overcoming MS volunteer
    • To take part in the next Pathway to Overcoming MS course email events@overcomingms.org
    • New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page
    • Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
    • Visit the Overcoming MS website
    Follow us on social media:
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    Don’t miss out:

    Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

    Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

    Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

    Support us:

    If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.

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    40 mins
  • Webinar Highlights: Your opportunity to speak to a Neurologist about Living Well with MS with Dr Aaron Boster | S6E19
    Sep 18 2024

    Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re sharing the highlights from our ‘Ask Aaron’ webinar, recorded in front of a global audience, with the incredible Dr Aaron Boster. Dr Boster is a board-certified neurologist who specialises in MS, and we’re delighted to have him answering a huge range of questions from our community! From medications to MRI’s and pregnancy to cold showers, Dr Boster gave us so many brilliantly informative answers - we hope you find this episode really useful. Let us know what you think!

    Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.

    Topics and Timestamps:

    01:49 Defining benign MS

    05:05 How to get the most out of your time with your neurologist

    09:32 The DMTs that help with brain atrophy

    09:46 MRI’s as a way to show the rate of brain atrophy

    18:20 Aubagio for secondary progressive MS

    22:11 The future of Ocrevus dosing guidelines and becoming pregnant on ocrelizumab

    26:31 Treating MS-relating dystonia

    28:37 Treatments for MS-related bladder dysfunction

    35:15 Low-dose Naltrexone for MS

    39:00 The benefits of cold showers

    39:38 Immune reconstitution therapies

    43:22 Managing MS with diet and exercise

    To join us live for the next webinar or watch the original presentation head to our website overcomingms.org

    More info and links:

    Dr Boster was on five previous Living Well with MS episodes:

    • S1E11: Making the Right Medication Choices
    • S2E17: Lifestyle Choices and Their Impact on MS
    • S3E43: Let’s Talk About Sex (and MS)
    • S5E5 Webinar highlights from Ask Aaron with Dr. Aaron Boster
    • S5E36 Webinar Highlights: Ask a Neurologist with Dr Aaron Boster
    • Check out Dr Boster’s popular YouTube channel covering all aspects of MS
    • New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
    • Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
    • Visit the Overcoming MS website
    Follow us on social media:
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    Don’t miss out: 

    Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

    Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

    Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

    Support us: 

    If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.

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    48 mins
  • The latest research in exercise for MS with Dr Robert Motl | S6E18
    Sep 4 2024

    Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re thrilled to welcome Dr Robert Motl as our guest! Dr Motl is a professor of kinesiology, nutrition and rehabilitation sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He’s a top researcher in the field of exercise and physical activity for people living with MS and, in this fascinating episode, he talks to Overcoming MS facilitator Veronique Gauthier-Simmons about how much exercise is recommended for people with MS, the differences between lifestyle physical activity and structured exercise, and he explains how exercise works within the brain to slow MS progression. We learnt so much from Dr Motl, and hope it helps you kick start a new phase in your relationship with physical activity. Let us know what you think!

    Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.

    Topics and Timestamps:

    02:09 Overview of Dr Motl’s research lab and team

    03:21 Dr Motl’s interest in multiple sclerosis

    05:57 Key findings over the years of the benefits of exercise for people with MS

    09:32 Lifestyle physical activity vs. structured exercise for people with MS

    15:03 How much exercise is recommended for people with MS?

    17:39 Exercise as a disease modifying behavior

    20:28 What part of the disease progression does exercise help?

    22:12 Exercise’s effects on the brain

    25:50 Who benefits the most from exercise?

    28:42 Social prescribing of exercise for people with MS

    31:16 Exercise’s effects on mood for people with MS

    34:54 How to participate in future studies

    36:16 The benefits of a holistic approach to MS management

    Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.

    More info and links:
    • Learn more about Veronique Gauthier-Simmons
    • Learn more about Dr Motl’s Exercise Neurology Reseach Laboratory
    • New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page
    • Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
    • Visit the Overcoming MS website
    Follow us on social media:
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    Don’t miss out:

    Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

    Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

    Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

    If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

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    38 mins
  • Webinar Highlights: Resilience following Overcoming MS with Dr Rachael Hunter | S6E17
    Aug 21 2024

    Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re sharing the highlights from our webinar on ‘Resilience following Overcoming MS’ with the fantastic Dr Rachael Hunter. Rachael is a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer in clinical and health psychology at Swansea University. She's an OMSer herself and wrote the chapter on resilience in the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Handbook. She gave us so much interesting information and many helpful tips - we hope you find this really useful in bringing resilience into your own life. Let us know what you think!

    Watch this episode on YouTube here and keep reading for the key episode takeaways.

    Topics and Timestamps:

    00:59 Dr Hunter’s professional background and an overview of the Overcoming MS Program

    04:30 What happens to the body physiologically during a stress response

    06:55 Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the fundamentals of wellness

    09:37 Managing emotional wellbeing and scheduling “worry time”

    14:30 Managing anxiety through self-compassion and mindfulness

    17:24 The benefits of positive relationships with others

    Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis?  Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.

    More info and links:
    • Dr Rachael Hunter was featured on S4E67: ‘Building Resilience with Dr Rachael Hunter’
    • Follow Dr Hunter on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
    • New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
    • Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
    • Visit the Overcoming MS website
    Follow us on social media:
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    Don’t miss out: 

    Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

    Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

    If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

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    20 mins
  • Nutritional Therapy with Bristol Ambassador Jenna Cox | S6E16
    Aug 7 2024

    Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Jenna Cox as our guest! Jenna is a nutritional therapist who lives with MS and is an Ambassador for the Bristol, UK Circle. In this episode, she talks about dairy alternatives, calcium and bone density on a plant-based diet and probiotics for the gut microbiome.

    Topics and Timestamps:

    00:58 Jenna’s MS diagnosis

    05:12 Adopting the Overcoming MS Program

    09:19 Jenna’s work as a nutritional therapist

    12:22 Diary-free swaps for milk, cheese and other products

    15:16 Calcium and bone density on the Overcoming MS diet

    21:30 Nutrition for PMS and PMDD

    27:15 Probiotics and the gut microbiome for people with MS

    33:31 The link between MS and cardiovascular issues, especially for women

    More info and links:
    • New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
    • Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
    • Learn more about Jenna’s work at www.jennacox.co.uk
    • Follow Jenna on Instagram @jennacoxnutrition
    • Check out the Overcoming MS diet recommendations
    • Check out the Menopause and MS roundtable hosted by Dr Jonny White
    • Visit the Overcoming MS website
    Follow us on social media:
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    Don’t miss out: 

    Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

    Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and vibrant life with MS.

    If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

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    44 mins
  • Webinar Highlights: Overcoming MS with ‘talkhealth’ and Dr Jonathan White | S6E15
    Jul 31 2024

    In this episode, we’re sharing highlights from a ‘talkhealth’ webinar: ‘TH+ Expert Webinar with Dr Jonathan White: Overcoming MS’. In the webinar, Overcoming MS medical advisor, Dr Jonathan White speaks about the evidence and benefits of the Program, his personal MS journey and making healthy changes for life. ‘talkhealth’ is a patient-centric online health community based in the UK, that provides a full range of support services.

    Topics and timestamps:

    02:25 Intro: Jonathan’s MS diagnosis and Overcoming MS journey.

    09:27 The importance of a compassionate diagnosis.

    10:14 Finding hope with an MS diagnosis with a healthy lifestyle.

    11:29 An overview of the Program.

    12:35 How Overcoming MS can prevent other conditions.

    13:14 The history of the Overcoming MS charity.

    16:27 Connecting through Overcoming MS Circles.

    18:39 The research behind the Overcoming MS Program.

    22:41 The benefits of physical activity for people with MS.

    24:53 Mindfulness and mental health.

    28:21 Disease-modifying drugs for MS.

    32:14 Preventing MS in family members.

    39:24 How to change your life, for life.

    42:13 The increase in plant-based options at stores and restaurants.

    More info and links:
    • Watch the original webinar
    • Find out more about ‘talkHealth’
    • Hear Jonathan on other episodes including the 100th Episode, the menopause roundtable, an introduction to Overcoming MS,
    • Learn about creating habits with Atomic Habit by James Clear
    • Learn about meditation from Ten Percent Happier
    • Sign up to the 6 Months to Overcoming MS course
    • New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
    • Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
    • Visit the Overcoming MS website
    Follow us on social media:
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    Don’t miss out: 

    Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. You can catch any episode of Living Well with MS here or on your favourite podcast listening app. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune into the show. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

    Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

    If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

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    45 mins