MS Podcasts MS Plus

Psychotherapist Katie Willard Virant discusses the challenges of chronic illness and the societal pressure to appear well despite having health struggles. We discuss how this can affect daily life for people living with chronic illness, and Katie shares advice on authenticity and taking space despite chronic illness.

Vitamin D has a complex relationship with MS, with links to increased risk of diagnosis, influencing gene expression in immune cells and generally being lower in people living with MS. In this episode, Dr Wei, neurologist and researcher, discusses how much vitamin D people need, how to get it, and the role of supplementation in children of parents with MS.

In this episode of the MS Boost, we talk to Nicola Palfrey, clinical psychologist, about the parenting challenge of talking to teenagers about chronic illness. Nicola shares her expert insights into approaching these difficult conversations sensitively. We also explore the important topic of knowing the signs that your teen may need some mental health support and how to navigate access.

In this episode we chat with neurologist Dr Cassie Nesbitt, one of the principal investigators for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. Cassie explains the process of HSCT, risks and considerations for accessing HSCT overseas, as well as the current research on who is likely to benefit and how this is accessed in Australia.

In this episode, we talk to Olivia Wills, a brain health researcher who has been working towards a holistic model of brain health in MS. Olivia outlines why brain health can be seen as a tangible concept that people can control by ensuring regular physical activity, quitting smoking, managing comorbidities, following a balanced diet, and catering to their mental health. Olivia discusses how external factors such as financial security can be a challenge for people in adopting healthy behaviors and that it's never too late for anyone to adopt healthier behaviors and livelihoods.

Linda Rowley, mental health consultant, delves into the complexities of mental health for carers, focusing on the overlooked experience of ambiguous loss. Linda discusses the importance of acknowledging these emotions, how to find meaning and hope, as well as the need for compassion and self-care for carers.