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

Relationships can be complicated, even at the best of times. When one partner is living with MS, it can bring a whole host of new challenges as well as opportunities for deeper connection.

In this podcast, we explore the emotional and practical realities of supporting a partner with MS, and how couples can support each other through changing dynamics.

Psychologist Dr Ashley Brown joins us to share practical advice on how to open up conversations around intimacy, emotional support, and shifting roles in a relationship. She offers tips to help both partners feel heard, valued, and connected.

We also hear from Sophie and Delvin, a couple living with MS. Sophie shares her experience of living with multiple sclerosis, while Delvin reflects on his role as the partner who supports her.

Together, they speak honestly about how their relationship has evolved, the challenges they’ve faced, and the ways their bond has strengthened.

If you live with MS or support someone in their journey, this podcast offers practical tips, shared experiences and re-assurance that you’re not alone.

Listen now to hear real life stories, expert information and more.

Donate to the MS Trust to support this podcast - donate.mstrust.org.uk

Episode notes

Supporting someone with MS - information for carers - information from the MS Trust - mstrust.org.uk/information-support/care-and-carers/information-for-carers

Caring for someone with MS - Podcast from MS Trust - mstrust.org.uk/information-support/podcasts/caring-someone-ms

Anxiety and MS mstrust.org.uk/a-z/anxiety

Relationships and MS mstrust.org.uk/news/expert/relationships-and-ms

MS and your emotions: mstrust.org.uk/information-support/wellbeing-ms/ms-and-your-emotions

Advance care planning - information from the MS Trust - mstrust.org.uk/a-z/advance-care-planning

www.relate.org.uk a uk counselling service

www.gottman.com a website that offers a service designed to help couples overcome relationship challenges and enhance their communication

www.cosrt.org.uk UK’s professional body dedicated to Psychosexual and Relationship Therapies

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

Spasticity and spasms are common MS symptoms that vary from person to person and can be challenging to understand and manage.

In this episode, we explore how these symptoms can feel with the help of our MS community and what you can do about them.

We asked MS specialist physiotherapist Wendy Hendrie to share her near 40 years of experience with us.

We are very glad we did, because we learned such a huge amount. In fact, so much so that we can almost guarantee you will too in the next hour.

And this know-how could make a real difference to the way you understand and approach your spasticity and spasms.

She breaks these complex symptoms down in a way that’s easy to follow. She explores trigger factors, including pain – even pain you can’t feel due to loss of sensation – bladder and bowels, posture and positioning including pelvis alignment and head movement. Plus exercise, night spasms and the importance of getting medication reviews especially if you haven’t seen your MS team in a while.

Episode notes

• Spasticity and spasms - MS Trust information
• What do MS spasticity and muscle spasms feel like? - MS Trust information
• Managing spasticity and spasms - MS Trust information
• Download or order our free book on Managing spasticity and spasms - MS Trust information
• Learn what may be triggering your spasticity and spasms
• Thrower B et al.
  Recognition, Description, and Variability of Spasticity in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis and Potential Barriers to Clinician-Patient Dialogue: Results From SEEN-MSS, a Large-Scale, Self-Reported Survey
  International Journal of MS Care. 2024; 26 (2): 75-80
  Summary
• Peer support: join our MS Trust Facebook community (public group)
• Peer support: join our Advanced MS Care and Support Facebook community (private group)
• Spoon theory explanation video

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

Talking about living with MS can be a tough thing to do, but open and honest conversations are vital in building understanding for the condition. In this special episode for MS Awareness Week 2025, we explore the power of MS conversations—why they matter and how they can make a difference.

This MS Awareness Week, we're working with the MS Society, MS Together, MS-UK, Neuro Therapy Network, Overcoming MS, Shift.ms and Talks with M.S. to shine a light on conversations and why they're important.

So in this episode Dr Claire Winchester, Head of Engagement at the MS Trust, joins us to discuss the essential resources available to help people navigate discussions about MS with friends, family, colleagues or health professionals. Plus, Helena sits down with the CEO and founder of MS Together Amy Thompson to reflect on real-life MS conversations they have had and the lessons learned from them.

Tune in and be part of the dialogue!

Show notes

mstrust.org.uk/get-involved/ms-awareness-week - all information you need to get started having those important MS Conversations