Covid-19-induced changes in the management of multiple sclerosis

Posted by & filed under MS News.

Source BMJ: Interesting article by Gavin Giovannoni, consultant neurologist at Barts Health NHS Trust and colleagues describe the move to provide remote care to patients with multiple sclerosis, and Rachel Horne and Alison Thomson, provide insight into what patients think of them. 

The sudden switch to remote working 

With the onset of lockdown all NHS staff who could work from home were asked to do so. This meant that they had to be given remote access to IT systems. Prior to covid-19, consultants had to wait years to be granted access to electronic patient records from home. Suddenly, within days we were given the freedom to create virtual private networks on our home computers using smartphone technology for secure login and user authentication. Read on. 

MS and swallowing problems

Posted by & filed under MS News.

Problems with swallowing may not be the most heard of MS symptom but it affects at least a third of people living with MS. 

For some people, these changes come and go, or happen during a relapse and never re-appear. But for others, they can be an ongoing issue. Any changes to swallowing can feel strange and worrying, even if they are small changes.

But however your swallowing is affected, there are things you can do to make swallowing as easy, comfortable and safe as possible.

The MS Society recommends a few tips to help with swallowing problems including: 

  • eating slowly 
  • chewing well
  • good posture

They have some techniques to help: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/signs-and-symptoms/swallowing

Read the MS Society’s techniques and information about swallowing

Managing Fatigue – online webinar with the MS Society

Posted by & filed under MS News.

The MS Society is running a number of online sessions bringing people with MS together to discuss different MS-related topics. 

On Wednesday 23 September they will be bringing people together (online of course) to talk about Understanding and Managing Fatigue. 

What to expect?

  • Virtually meet others from the UK who have MS
  • Have a chance to share experiences
  • Discuss managing your fatigue after lockdown
  • Share top tips on how to manage fatigue

This is not a Berkshire MS Therapy Centre event, it is organised and led by the MS Society. 

You can find out more and sign up here: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/everyday-living/living-well-with-ms-sessions/time-to-chat—managing-fatigue—wednesday-23-september-2pm

DONATED MOTOMED

Posted by & filed under Centre News.

A Motomed has been donated to the Centre.

This is the name of the “bikes” we have in the gym. As we have two in the gym already, we do not need or have room for a third one, so it has been decided to sell it.

It is in excellent condition, and we would expect to sell it for £2,500 (it would cost about £5,000 new). If you are interested in buying it, please let Sue know by 8th October.

Centre up and running

Posted by & filed under Centre News.

It’s been a few weeks now but the centre is fully open. 

All therapies are running. 

We are Covid compliant. 

All therapists and volunteers know the procedures to follow and everything is running very well. 

Main points to remember:-

The front door is locked, ring the doorbell when you arrive and your temperature will be taken.  

Do not arrive early for your appointment. 

If the doorbell isn’t answered quickly please remember, especially if it’s a Monday, the therapist might be carrying out a treatment, hence do not show up early for your appointment.

Use the hand sanitiser by the front door and wear a mask (or masks are at the centre). 

Bring in your own towel/blanket/dressing gown/water if required. 

We look forward to seeing you all.

True or False

Posted by & filed under MS News, Uncategorized.

From the MS Trust:

‘We live in an information age. Now more than ever before we have ready access to an enormous quantity of data about health, treatments and research – from the internet, though the press, and on social media. But how do we know who to trust and understand what all this information is telling us? Simon from the MS Trust’s Information Team has some tips to help you find the health information you can trust.’ 

Read the tips in the article on the MS Trust website here: https://www.mstrust.org.uk/news/focus-fact-or-fiction

Enable Magazine

Posted by & filed under MS News.

At Enable we pride ourselves on bringing exclusive, current content that is pertinent to the disabled community. And the latest issue is no different.

You can read and share the latest issue by following this link: https://issuu.com/dcpublishing/docs/en_as20

We connected with many members of the disabled community to hear about their experiences in and out of lockdown. From diary entries of a life in lockdown, to families sharing the highs and lows of raising a child with a disability in lockdown whilst services are on pause.

Former teacher, Caroline Coster shares her journey to recovery after overcoming COVID-19 led to sepsis and, ultimately, Caroline becoming a quadruple amputee – her passion for life is palpable.

And we look at the changes being made in the workplace for the disabled community all the way to support and guidance for people who are struggling to adapt to a change in routine.

Plus – as we believe nobody should be left behind – we have an exciting subscription offer where readers can purchase a one- or two-year subscription and gift a subscription to a friend, at no additional cost.

Appointments are now available to book for ALL THERAPIES.

Posted by & filed under Centre News.

 New to book:
Massage, available from 9th September, the appointments will be on the hour but will be only 45 minutes long to allow for cleaning between appointments.  

Acupuncture, available on Thursday 17th September and then every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, appointment times from 9.15 every 45 minutes, cleaning time will reduce the appointment time slightly.

As with the other therapies, I am not back at the centre until Wednesday 3rd so to book any appointment please email me, however, I am on annual leave from Thursday 20th August – Tuesday 1st August.  I do not have another receptionist to be able to book appointments.

To keep informed about news from the centre, please sign up to the newsletter via the website main page www.omstc.org.uk.