When did you get multiple sclerosis? I'm not asking when you were diagnosed, I'm asking when your immune system started to attack your brain. It's so common to say, "I was diagnosed on this day, but I had symptoms long before then so who knows when MS really started." Well, according to a recent study, it may have been even early than those first symptoms. Research suggests that your brain starts shrinking 5 YEARS before your first symptoms appear. And for many of us, we don’t get an official diagnosis until years after the symptoms start. So, the timeframe from when your immune system starts attacking your brain to an official diagnosis… that could be up a decade. That’s disturbing, but unfortunately not surprising based on many of our experiences. Now if you’re listening to this podcast, you may be thinking, that’s interesting research, but I know I already have MS so how is this relevant for me today? That’s exactly what I’ll be sharing and answering. So, let’s get started.  

Let’s face it, managing finances or following a budget isn’t easy or fun. But when the frequent and often unexpected medical expenses of a chronic illness start rolling in, you quickly realize that you need to figure out something to cover all these bills. It’s overwhelming. There's the co-pays for what seems like an endless stream of doctor's appointments, the costs for lab tests, MRIs, and don't even get me started on the astronomical prices of medications. If managing a chronic illness already didn’t feel like a full time job, managing the expenses sure will. You need to figure out how to manage these expenses because finances shouldn’t stand in the way of you receiving the care that you need. That's why today, I'm diving deep into the best strategies to tackle the cost of living with a chronic illness.

You start rolling back in the MRI machine and your heart immediately starts racing. You’re watching yourself get deep and deeper into the tunnel. You try to keep still and then the banging starts. All the noises are echoing in the tight space. 'I've got to get out' you think. 'How much longer?' Am I going to make it to the end? Get me out! If this sounds like the inside of your mind during an MRI, this episode is designed especially for you. Today we’re talking about managing these runaway thoughts and emotions during an MRI. I’m sharing strategies on how to stay calm to get you through your next MRI.  

In today's "MS in the News" segment, we're exploring a topic close to the hearts of many, myself included: the link between migraines and MS. Recent research has unveiled a surprising statistic: about 1 in 4 MS patients also deal with migraines. And here's the kicker – if you have MS, you're nearly twice as likely to experience these debilitating migraines than someone who doesn't have MS. I am definitely part of this statistic because I’ve gotten debilitating migraines since childhood. So, I'm diving deep into this study to understand the implications and any potential remedies. And of course, I'll share a few of my own stories and insights. So let’s dive in!  

What does it feel like to have Multiple Sclerosis? Ask this question to 10 different people living with MS and you’ll get 10 different answers. Ask this question to one person living with MS on 10 different days, and you’ll get 10 different answers. It’s not because we’re indecisive or because we’re making symptoms up. MS is just that unpredictable and often indescribable. This episode is designed to give those of you living with MS the words to explain some of the most common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis; and to help the family and friends of MS a better understanding of the daily reality of this invisible and unpredictable disease.

What does it mean to be healthy, now that you have MS? If you can’t be cured, can you even be healthy? This was something I personally struggled with because when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, I was a nutrition coach, yoga instructor, and personal trainer. I should have been the picture of perfect health. But my medical chart said “incurable.” But what if we've been defining "healthy" all wrong? Dive into a candid conversation about redefining health, understanding its many facets, including mindset, and embracing the truth that a diagnosis doesn't rob us of our right to wellness.

The headline reads, “Simple sugar compound improves function in multiple sclerosis patients, a UCI study shows.” Wait, did they just say sugar can improve MS? It’s tempting to read it that way, but I’m sorry to say that’s not the case. This simple sugar that they’re referring to is not the sweet stuff found in fruit and candy. However, there is a food source and supplement source of it and yes, their study did suggest that it could help to improve function in Multiple Sclerosis. Let’s break down the details and what it means for you.

You're scared to tell people that you have Multiple Sclerosis. How they’ll react?Will they start see you differently? You don’t want things to change. But you’re also feeling so alone trying to keep it a secret. Opening up about your diagnosis isn’t easy. You feel vulnerable and that can be really uncomfortable. I’ve been there. As an extremely guarded person, I built a wall…  higher and thicker than any wall I had built before. But then the isolation felt worse than the fear of telling people. No matter which way I turned, it felt painful. But eventually I got the courage to start telling family and friends… one conversation at a time. Join me in this episode as I share the best strategies for breaking the news, handling reactions, and creating boundaries moving forward.