MS Podcasts MS Plus

In this episode of The MS Boost, we interview Luke Mitchell, a Men's Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in sexual health to discuss erectile dysfunction (ED), its prevalence in the population, misconceptions and links with mental health. Luke provides insight and practical advice for managing ED discussing holistic treatment options, the importance of trusting your health care practitioner and broader health and relationship implications.

In this episode of the MS Boost podcast series, we are joined by Fatima, a person living with multiple sclerosis (MS), who shares her personal journey to diagnosis.
Like many other people living with MS, Fatima was constantly misdiagnosed while experiencing a myriad of symptoms. Fatima's story delves into the importance of persistence in seeking medical help, the emotional impact of receiving a diagnosis, and the gradual process of acceptance and adjustment as a person living with a new diagnosis.
Fatima talks about how she built her village of support people, including the integration of physical and mental health supports to help her continue to live well with MS.
Fatima talks about her fears and anxiety around her diagnosis, and how she continued to do all the things she wanted to in her life, having children, travelling and running her own business.
Fatima's resilience and determination shine through as she navigates life with MS, and it’s inspiring to hear her journey and advice for other people who may have just been newly diagnosed.

In this episode of the MS Boost, psychotherapist Katie Willard Virant discusses the impact of a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and how it can be a source of trauma for some people . We discuss how the shock of receiving a chronic illness diagnosis can cause long-lasting trauma, affecting peoples’ perceptions of themselves and their interactions with the healthcare system.

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.