Send us a message about the podcast. For questions about MS please contact our helpline 0800 032 38 39

Getting an MS diagnosis can be straightforward for some people, but for many it’s a long, confusing journey filled with uncertainty. In this episode, we explore one of the questions the MS Trust is asked most often: How is MS actually diagnosed?

We look at why diagnosis can take time, what tests are involved, why symptoms aren’t always obvious, and what happens when tests give unclear results.

We’re joined by Professor Alasdair Coles, neurologist and MS specialist, who guides us through the current diagnosis process from first symptoms to MRIs, lumbar punctures, evoked potentials, OCT scans, and what will happen after the point of diagnosis.

Episode notes

• How MS is diagnosed - info from the MS Trust
• Lumbar puncture - info from the MS Trust
• Evoked potentials - info from the MS Trust
• McDonald criteria - info from the MS Trust
• Disease modifying drugs (DMDs) - info from the MS Trust
• Limbo land - what you can do while you wait for an MS diagnosis - MS Trust podcast
• Wellbeing and MS - information hub to help you support your emotional wellbeing

Video resources from MS Trust

• What happens in a Neurological examination?
• What is a Lumbar Puncture?
• What is an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) test?

Send us a message about the podcast. For questions about MS please contact our helpline 0800 032 38 39

Living with persistent MS-related pain isn’t just a physical challenge it can take a big toll on your emotional wellbeing and mental health too. In this episode, we explore the psychological impact of chronic pain.

We are joined by Dr Phillip Simpson, Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of NHS experience, and Heather Daly, who shares her personal journey of living with MS and chronic pain, as we explore topics such as

• What chronic pain really means and how it affects the mind
• The emotional challenges of living with persistent MS pain
• How psychological therapies such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness can help
• Practical coping strategies, acceptance, and behaviour change techniques

If you are living with long term MS and what to explore different approaches to cope with it psychologically, this is the episode for you

Episode notes

• Pain and MS - info from the MS Trust
• Treating nerve pain in MS - info from the MS Trust
• Pain resources - info from the MS Trust
• Mindfulness and MS - info from the MS Trust
• Wellbeing and MS - information hub to help you support your emotional wellbeing

Resources mentioned by Dr Phil Simpson

livewellwithpain.co.uk - website with resources and information

paintoolkit.org - focused on self management and has been created by an expert by experience

flippinpain.co.uk- focused on challenging misconceptions about pain problems.

Send us a message about the podcast. For questions about MS please contact our helpline 0800 032 38 39

In this special bonus episode of the MS Trust Podcast, mindfulness teacher Justin Standfield shares two guided meditations designed to help ease the challenges of living with MS pain. You’ll hear a shorter practice for pain awareness and relief, plus a longer meditation created especially for chronic pain. These two meditations can offer practical tools to bring comfort and calm whenever pain feels overwhelming.

Episode notes

• Pain and MS - info from the MS Trust
• Treating nerve pain in MS - info from the MS Trust
• Pain resources - info from the MS Trust
• Mindfulness and MS - info from the MS Trust
• Wellbeing and MS - information hub to help you support your emotional wellbeing
• MS and mindfulness with Justin Standfield - Video with Justin from MS Trust's YouTube
• Can mindfulness really help with my MS? - podcast from the MS Trust with Justin