In this episode, Muna Al Harbi, MS patient advocate, member of the National MS Society, and Transformational and Personal Growth coach joins the show to share her tips for coping with an MS diagnosis and eventually finding acceptance. Muna has documented her journey throughout MS Talks and today she shares how she dealt with the life-changing diagnosis, by sharing valuable advice. She addresses the topic from her own personal point of view as well as that of her profession as a Personal Growth Coach. She highlights the questions MS patients ask themselves including, “will my life change?” and, “can I get married”? Finally, she summarises the stages MS patients go through on their journey to accepting the diagnosis. MS Talks 2.0 is a collaboration between Lovin Dubai and Novartis. The 10-episode series brings together experts and members of the community to bring awareness to Multiple Sclerosis.

In this episode of MS Talks 2.0, we look at the importance of building a support network for patients, and in turn, how friends and family of MS patients can provide support. To give more clarity on how to approach these delicate situations, Professor. Anu Jacob, DM, FRCP, is the Director of Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology and Staff Physician in the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi joined the show. He shared helpful tips on how you can provide support for a friend or family who has MS which include learning more about the disease and trying to empathize with the patient. He adds the importance of listening to their needs on a day-to-day basis, as every day is different. Professor Jacob also shares advice for people who are supporting their loved ones going through an MS diagnosis, tips for parents on how to handle if their child is diagnosed with MS, and tackles the genuine questions people have about offering support at a difficult time.

This is MS Talks 2.0. Let's discuss facts. We have a very interesting topic for you today. We're covering listening to your gut. Over the years, there's been lots of information released about the gut and its influence on your wellbeing. It seems that changes in the gut bacteria or microbiome have a direct impact on the immune system and may even play a part in someone's susceptibility to autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis. This isn't such a crazy notion, considering 70% of the body's immune cells are located in the lymphoid tissue that lines the gut. Here with us to discuss this topic, Dr. Ahmed Shatila Consultant Neurologist in the Department of Neurology at SSMC, Abu Dhabi. Dr. Shatila also manages the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and is the chairman of the medical advisory committee of the national multiple sclerosis society in the UAE.

This is MS Talks 2.0, Let’s Discuss Facts, a series brought to you by Novartis. Multiple sclerosis is an incurable disease. And if you receive a diagnosis, there can be a tendency to seek different approaches such as stem cell therapy, in search of an elusive cure. In this episode, we're here to talk more about chasing a cure for MS. To get a greater understanding of stem cell therapy and how it can be used within a patient's journey. Today we're joined by Dr. Mona Thakre, Consultant Neurologist and Head of Neurology at Al Zahra Hospital and Board member of Emirates Neurology Society and Mona Al Harbi, MS Patient Advocate, member of the National MS Society and Transformational and Personal Growth Coach.

Some people believe that natural remedies could help cure Multiple Sclerosis, as opposed to traditional medication. To give us a better insight into the science and to debunk myths, we’re joined by the director of the Neurology Institute, at Harley Street Medical Center in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Bassem Yamout, and Mona Al Harbi, MS patient advocate.

In this episode of MS Talks 2.0, we look at the crucial aspect of treatment and supportive therapies. Dr. Maha Feda, Consultant and Head of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of Reem Hospital, Abu Dhabi, joined the show to share her insights on the supportive therapies which are widely available to MS patients and when or how they can be used within a treatment plan. Please take a watch and let us know your thoughts.

There are many misconceptions about multiple sclerosis. One of the biggest is that of motherhood. On this episode of MS Talks 2.0, Dr. Suzan Noori, is here to help bring awareness and debunk those common misunderstandings, from having children to live a ‘normal’ family life with MS. Stay tuned.

MS Talks 2.0 is a collaboration between Lovin Dubai and Novartis. The 10-episode series brings together experts and members of the community to bring awareness to Multiple Sclerosis. In this episode, we attempt to navigate the difficult journey of diagnosis under the guidance of Muna Al Harbi, MS patient advocate, member of the National MS Society, and Transformational and Personal Growth coach. Stay tuned.

MS Talks 2.0. Let's Discuss Facts. A series brought to you by Novartis, where we discuss the topic of multiple sclerosis. With special guests, of experts and members of the community, we're bringing awareness to MS with the aim to normalise the conversation.   There are many misconceptions about multiple sclerosis, but what we do know is that the disease has multiple risk factors and regardless of the cause, it’s essential to get treated as early as possible. In episode 2 of MS Talks 2.0, Dr. Jihad Inshasi, Consultant Neurologist at Rashid Hospital and Professor of Neurology at Dubai Medical College, and MS Ambassador Sultan Alshamsi tell us what 'MS is not'.

MS Talks 2.0. Let's Discuss Facts. A series brought to you by Novartis, where we discuss the topic of multiple sclerosis. With special guests, of experts and members of the community, we're bringing awareness to MS with the aim to normalise the conversation.   In the first episode of MS Talks 2.0, Lovin Dubai spoke to Sultan Alshamsi, who is an MS patient. He shared his journey; from recognizing the first symptoms to the challenges relating to his original diagnosis. Surprisingly, he shared the relief he felt when he was finally diagnosed, so he could begin learning more about the disease and start his treatment journey. The episode shares tips for people who may panic about their diagnosis, it explores the MS community in the UAE and how to break the news that you’ve been diagnosed with MS to your family.