MS Podcasts

In this special women’s health episode of the MS Plus podcast series, Continence Nurse Fiona Easton discusses the impact of menopause and perimenopause on bladder health, especially in women with MS. She elaborates on typical changes during menopause, effective management strategies, and the importance of pelvic floor exercises. This episode provides valuable information for women navigating menopause and its associated bladder changes.With thanks to Fiona Easton. Fiona Easton is a registered nurse as well as an MS Continence Nurse and has been working at MS Plus for over 16 years. Fiona’s main role involves conducting the continence clinic at the MS Blackburn site as well the MS Watsonia and Williamstown supported living sites in Melbourne.Fiona’s background is that of general nursing and she is currently a registered continence advisor. She has a 4-year psychology degree and has experience in palliative care and crisis counselling.Fiona enjoys working with people living with multiple sclerosis, including those who are newly diagnosed through to those with chronic symptoms. And she feels they would be the most resilient group of people she has met. This podcast was developed as part of a comprehensive Women’s Health Resource designed for women living with MS, addressing key topics such as family planning & pregnancy, and menopause. This project was developed in collaboration with women living with MS, with support from expert health professionals.To explore the full resource, visit: https://www.msplus.org.au/womenshealth Reach out for support:MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email [email protected]  Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional.  

In this special women’s health episode of the MS Plus podcast series, we speak with Susan Agland, an MS neuroimmunology transitional nurse practitioner at John Hunter Hospital, about fertility, subfertility and MS. The discussion covers how MS and its treatments can impact conception, the roles of medication, stress, and the importance of understanding personal risk factors. Susan shares insights from a study she is co-leading, on Artificial Reproductive Technologies in MS, emphasising the challenges faced by women with MS undergoing IVF and the need for better guidelines and support. The episode also highlights the contributions of real-world data to understanding medication safety during pregnancy for MS patients. Listen in to gain valuable insight into fertility and family planning, and where to get support when you are having trouble conceiving.  With thanks to Susan Agland, from the Newcastle Multiple Sclerosis Clinic. Susan Agland supports the John Hunter MS team as Neuroimmunology Transitional Nurse Practitioner. She has worked in the MS clinic since 2003, starting as clinical trial coordinator for the Ausimmune study. Since then, Susan has studied a Masters of Nursing Research, examining the role of stress management in MS. Susan has a special interest in stress management in MS, subfertility in MS and rural and remote care of the person with neuroimmunological disease.This podcast was developed as part of a comprehensive Women’s Health Resource designed for women living with MS, addressing key topics such as family planning & pregnancy, and menopause. This project was developed in collaboration with women living with MS, with support from expert health professionals.To explore the full resource, visit: https://www.msplus.org.au/womenshealthFor more information: Pregnancy in MS research survey (ARTiMS) - https://www.hnehealth.nsw.gov.au/our_services/multiple_sclerosis_clinic_newcastle/researchReach out for support:MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email [email protected]  Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional.  

In this episode of the MS Boost, we speak with Dr. Emma Beckett, a passionate science communicator with expertise in food science, nutrition, and biomedical sciences. Dr. Beckett discusses her new book, 'You Are More Than What You Eat,' which focuses on simplifying nutrition and food science to reduce stress and complexity for people, especially those living with MS. The conversation delves into the misconceptions of diet perfection, the challenges of weight management, the societal biases in healthcare, and the importance of focusing on manageable and tailored changes to your diet. Emma emphasizes empowering people to make even the smallest of improvements in their diet, while debunking the myths of a 'perfect' diet and control, and ultimately promoting a more enjoyable and realistic approach to nutrition. This is a compelling conversation that you won’t want to miss. “Look after your body, because it’s where you live!” – Dr Emma BeckettWith thanks to Dr Emma BeckettDr Emma Beckett (PhD) is a university trained Food and Nutrition Scientist. She has a degree in Biomedical Science and post-graduate degrees in Epidemiology, Food Science, Human Nutrition, & Science Management. She is a senior lecturer in Food Science & Human Nutrition at the University of Newcastle Australia and a senior scientist at Nutrition Research Australia. An academic all-rounder, her research outputs span immunology & microbiology, reproductive health, food choice behaviours, gene-nutrient interactions, and nutrient-environment interactions. She is also an award winning science communicator who can regularly be found online, in print, giving talks, and on television & radio. She aims to share food and nutrition science in a way that helps empower people to make better food and nutrition choices. Knowledge is power in a world of misinformation at fad diets. Referred to as the “Ms Frizzle of Food & Nutrition”, Emma uses her collection of food outfits to spark conversations, sharing fun facts and challenging stereotypes. Food isn’t just fuel, its part of our culture, social lives and should be a joy. The best nutrition choices are the ones that nourish you, bring you joy, and fit with your life - Emma wants to share these concepts to help spread the joy. You can read the episode transcript here.To get support with your diet, reach out to a accredited dietician such as the MS Plus dieticians.Reach out for support:MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email [email protected] in touch to share your comments and suggestions about this episode, or for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]  Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional.  

In this podcast episode, Julie Orr, an accredited dietitian with MS Plus, explores the relationship between diet and menopause, offering easy to follow strategies for managing menopausal symptoms through nutrition. With a focus on evidence-based insights and compassionate guidance, Julie explores the significance of adopting a wholesome diet rich in whole foods, based on current research. She navigates through hot topics such as soy, identifying foods that can either exacerbate or alleviate symptoms like hot flushes, and unpacks the common issue of weight gain among women during this life stage. Listen in to gain valuable insight into women’s health and nutrition.With thanks to Julie  Julie is a skilled community dietitian having worked in the industry for over 30 years.  Julie originally trained at Deakin University as a dietitian.  Julie has worked in a range of clinical settings including hospitals, community health, and for a large portion of her career in the aged care space as a dietitian and Dietitian Team leader.   Julie more recently joined MS Plus to recommence individual client consulting and is really enjoying the opportunity to support her clients living with MS.You can read the episode transcript HereMore information:Australian guidelines for healthy eating: https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/australian-guide-healthy-eatingMS Plus Diet & nutrition:https://www.msplus.org.au/support-services/allied-health-services/diet-and-nutritionMore podcasts and webinars on MS, diet & nutrition: https://www.msplus.org.au/resource-hub?topics=242621Reach out for support:MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email [email protected] in touch to share your comments and suggestions about this episode, or for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]  Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional.  

In this episode of the MS Boost, we sit down with Associate Professor Priya Sumithran, an endocrinologist and clinical researcher to discuss weight loss medications, with the most popular and commonly known, being semaglutide or known as the brand name Ozempic. Priya discusses the surprisingly long history of this medication, how it works and what considerations there are before starting this medication, especially for people with other chronic conditions or MS. Priya touches on the barriers to treating obesity, as well as the stigma around weight loss medications but also being obese, and the importance of a comprehensive approach to weight management. With thanks to Associate Professor Priya Sumithran.Associate Professor Priya Sumithran, MBBS (Hons), PhD, FRACP, is an endocrinologist and clinician researcher. She is Head of the Obesity and Metabolic Medicine Group in the Department of Surgery, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, and Clinical Lead for Obesity Medicine at Alfred Health (Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes).A/Prof Sumithran completed a PhD at the University of Melbourne (Dept of Medicine, Austin) in 2012 and was a senior endocrinologist for 15 years in the obesity management service at Austin Health, including as Head of Obesity Medicine from 2021-2023.A/Prof Sumithran has co-authored >80 peer-reviewed papers, including publications in the New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, British Medical Journal, Annals of Internal Medicine, Obesity and the Medical Journal of Australia. She served on the council of the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society from 2017 to 2022.You can read the episode transcript here Reach out for support:MS Plus Connect 1800 042 138 or email [email protected] support to manage your diet and nutrition, get in touch with an MS dietician to tailor a plan to your nutritional needs.  Get in touch to share your comments and suggestions about this episode, or for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]  Views expressed on the MS Podcast, including any discussions or reference to medications or treatments by podcast guests, do not necessarily represent the views of MS Plus and should not be seen as either an endorsement or rejection of a treatment.  MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional.