MS-UK is running a workshop providing an overview of the cognitive challenges in MS, its impact and the treatment options available. 

• Wednesday 20 October
• 7pm
• via Zoom

MS-UK are pleased to welcome Dr Dawn Langdon who is Professor of Neuropsychology at Royal Holloway, University of London and a Fellow of the British Psychological Society. Dawn is a frequent contributor to international scientific meetings and committees and is a Trustee of the UK MS Trust, with whom she has authored the MS cognition website www.stayingsmart.org.uk. 

Using her extensive knowledge in Neuropsychology and in particular within MS, this workshop will provide an overview of the cognitive challenges in MS, including the pattern of difficulties, the relation to disease variables and how cognitive challenges impact everyday life and wellbeing. Dr Langdon will then present the treatment options and resources available.

If you can’t make the session live, don’t worry as we will be recording the presentation and will make it available to watch again for all those registering in advance.

MS-UK is suggesting a donation amount of £5 for this information session, but you can make a donation of your choosing from £1 to attend.

If you would like to know more about this session or would like help in registering, please email register@ms-uk.org.

For more information and to book, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cognition-and-ms-presented-by-dr-dawn-lan…

MS-UK is hosting an information session where they will be looking at the most common mobility aids for walking and how to select the right one.

Event details:

• Monday 18 October
• 2pm – 3pm
• Via Zoom

Dr Gretchen will be talking about the different mobility aids that are available to help with walking. This is a subject which people usually have a lot of questions about, with many people wanting to know when is the right time to start using a mobility aid and how to choose the one that is right for them.

Searching the internet for mobility aids will bring up a wide range of different types of walking aids, making the right choice a difficult decision. So, in this information session Dr Gretchen will identify how to weigh-up choosing one walking aid over another by looking at the pros and cons of each of the most common walking aids that are available and the reasons you might choose it for yourself versus another option.

You will be shown how to adjust the aids to ensure they are comfortable, prevent overuse injuries and are as efficient for your use as possible. They will finish by taking you through the correct way to use the different aids, which will stop bad habits and make its use as safe as possible.

Session overview

• When to consider using a mobility aid
• Types of mobility aids and their pros and cons
• How to fit a mobility aid to your body
• The proper way to use a mobility aid

The session will then finish with twenty minutes for questions and answers.

If you have any questions about the information session or about mobility aids you want to send in advance to Dr Gretchen, please email register@ms-uk.org.

If you can’t make the session live, don’t worry as we will be recording the presentation and will make it available to watch again for all those registering in advance.

We have a suggested donation is £5 for this information session, but you can make a donation of your choosing from £1 to attend.

Find out more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mobility-aids-selecting-the-right-mobilit…

Information from the MS Trust: 

This year, all UK nations are again running an expanded flu vaccination programme to encourage more people to have a flu jab and allow more people to have the flu jab for free. With Covid-19 still circulating in the community, a surge in seasonal influenza (flu) cases could overwhelm hospitals and other NHS services.

Flu can be a serious or even fatal illness, and each year causes thousands of people to become very ill. Like Covid-19, it is a viral infection that can be passed on through coughs and sneezes. If you have MS, you’re more at risk of becoming seriously ill from flu, even if you currently feel well.

By having the flu jab, you reduce your risk of having flu. If you do catch flu after having the vaccine, you are likely to have a milder illness. Having the flu jab also means you are less likely to have flu and Covid-19 at the same time, which could make you more unwell. It is best to have your flu vaccine early, so that you are protected before any outbreaks of flu. You need a new jab each year, as the strains of flu that are circulating change over time.

People with MS can have the flu jab for free every year. It is provided through pharmacies and GP surgeries, as well as workplaces and schools. You may be contacted by your surgery if you have been offered a flu jab in previous years.

You may be offered your flu jab at the same time as a Covid-19 vaccine booster dose. Research has shown that this is safe and that both the flu vaccine and the Covid-19 vaccine remain effective when given together.

Read more information here: https://mstrust.org.uk/news/views-and-comments/flu-season-2021  

The MS Society has launched a new campaign this week.

There are 1 in 6 people in the UK living with a neurological condition – yet NHS neurology services have been stretched, underfunded and overlooked for years. These services were neglected long before the pandemic – but now the situation is critical.

On Wednesday 6 October, the MS Society launched their new campaign, to tell the UK Government not to leave people with MS behind. 

Click here to sign the letter (opens the MS Society website)

Research by the MS Society has found people’s MS symptoms got worse during the pandemic, with over half of them (53%) saying this was caused by not getting specialist support. And, 63% of MS professionals find it very challenging to provide a good service to everyone.
 
We need urgent action to ensure everyone with MS has access to the right professionals and treatment at the right time across the UK.

We’re calling for more funding and support for the neurology workforce, so people can get the essential care they need. 

Source: MS Society Campaign Team, campaigns@mssociety.org.uk

Many people with MS are affected by visual symptoms. The main causes of impaired vision are conditions such as Optic Neuritis, Nystagmus and Diplopia, all of which affect the vision in different ways. A symptom unique to those affected by Optic Neuritis is known as Uhthoff’s Sign, whereby the vision is temporarily affected when the person’s body core temperature is elevated. MS-UK is putting information together for people with MS and are looking for feedback from anyone with first-hand experience.  MS-UK say ‘If you have, or still do, experience visual impairment due to your MS, we would like your feedback by answering the questions here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WQHT7JX.

Your input is valuable as we will share it with others who may benefit from your suggestions. We may use quotes from your feedback in our future Choices booklets, but these will be entirely anonymous.’