Living with MS and Finding Strength in the Unknown – Shania’s Story.
I was just 16 when I first started experiencing symptoms of multiple sclerosis, although I didn’t know it at the time. It took another 11 years before I was finally diagnosed. For a long time, I lived with things I couldn’t explain – urinary issues, persistent pain in my back, arms, and hands, and extreme fatigue. I just thought […]
Alina Pescini – My Nine-Year Journey to an MS Diagnosis
I’d had vertigo for a few days, and then sitting in a meeting I saw flashes of light before my eyes and heard the voices of people speaking ebbing and flowing. I excused myself and went home to bed. The next few days I couldn’t quite shake it, and made an appointment to see the […]
Your Health Team: General Practitioner
Get to know your health team: The GP role alongside specialist care Dr Louisa Barter is a Rotorua-based GP with specialist interests in sports and exercise medicine, female health, and menopause care. Through Thrive Sports & Exercise Medicine, she brings a whole-person GP perspective to healthcare, supporting people to understand symptoms, manage everyday health concerns, […]
Your Health Team: Neurological Physiotherapist
Neuro Physiotherapists specialise in movement and function for people with neurological conditions like MS. They help people maintain mobility, manage symptoms, and stay as active and independent as possible. We spoke with Clinical Lead and Neurological Physiotherapist Gilly Davy, Founder & Director of MS Get a Head Start, to learn more about this important role. […]
Massage Therapy & Multiple Sclerosis
Written by Sophie Wilson BHs, (Neuromuscular Massage Therapist that just happens to have RRMS) So, you’ve just been diagnosed with MS? Welcome to the club! You’re officially elite! (Well that’s what I like to think!) Getting a diagnosis like this is something that a lot of people have an opinion about, even those who you […]
Staying well with MS this winter
Written by Rachael Hofmann, Clinical Lead Colder days, longer nights, and the quieter rhythm of winter are settling across Aotearoa. For many people, winter can feel like a time to rest and recharge. For people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), it can also bring a different set of considerations, including increased exposure to seasonal illness, lower energy […]
Managing MS and Other Health Conditions Together
Written by Rachael Hofmann, Clinical Lead Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) can sometimes feel like enough on its own. Add in things like high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, diabetes, or high cholesterol, and it can become overwhelming. These additional health conditions, called comorbidities, are common in people living with MS, and they matter. The good […]
Your Health Team: An Introduction to Neurology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Bladder and bowel symptoms are some of the most common, and often least talked about, symptoms of multiple sclerosis. To help our community better understand why these symptoms occur, how common they are, and what support is available, we spoke with KJ Lazarus a neurology Clinical Nurse Specialist with a special interest in continence […]
Bladder and Bowel Changes in MS: Practical Tips and Support
Bladder and bowel changes are common in multiple sclerosis (MS), but they can be some of the more difficult symptoms to talk about. If you’re experiencing changes, you’re not alone, and help is available. Common bladder changes in MS Bladder symptoms can vary from person to person and may change over time. Common bladder issues include: Needing to urinate more often or urgently Difficulty […]
Staying well with MS this Summer
Long, bright summer days of a traditional Kiwi summer are upon us. Sunshine boosts our mood, warms our skin, and encourages us to get outside and enjoy everything from bushwalks to backyard barbecues. For people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) the sun can still offer these benefits, but because MS interacts with heat and certain medications in unique ways it’s worth taking a thoughtful sun smart approach. The benefits […]