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This week's MS and Me blog, Willeke tackles the subject of MS and Obesity:

Obesity.

BMI.

Not words anyone above a certain weight wants to hear.

Including yours truly, especially when uttered by others who appear as fit as a fiddle, have an ideal weight and who are not on a long list of medicines.

I know. I've been there.

Exploring the experiences of anxiety in people with MS (PwMS) - study findings so far.

Anxiety can be loosely defined as ‘worry about unpredictable future events.’ Given the unpredictability of MS, it stands to reason that anxiety in people with MS (PwMS) can be a common experience. For example, we know that roughly 25% of PwMS experience “clinically significant” anxiety, which can have a number of negative impacts on people’s daily lives.

The proportion of PwMS experiencing anxiety may have increased further during the Covid-19 pandemic, however less is known about the factors that may help ease the experience of anxiety in MS.

 MS is always present and always different.

The chances are that you know someone with Multiple Sclerosis . Yet you probably don’t know that no two People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) have the same combination of symptoms. This makes MS a uniquely difficult condition to address. Similarly, you might be unaware that MS is the most common disabling neurological condition amongst young people, it can strike at any age.

Over the last couple of years, COVID-19 has added to these challenges. This is because most of the therapies used to treat MS work by suppressing the immune system, making PwMS more susceptible to complications if they contract COVID-19. Despite this, the MS Community has risen magnificently to overcome the difficulties caused by COVID-19.

PATIENTS DESERVE BETTER – NEUROLOGY NURSES CAMPAIGN

The Neurological Alliance of Ireland is the umbrella organisation for neurology patient organisations in Ireland. MS Ireland as members of this organisation have been supporting the Patients Deserve Better Campaign which aims to highlight the lack of neurology nurses across the country. Ireland requires further 100 neurology nurses in order to address unacceptable waiting periods, delays with diagnosis and treatment. Neurology nurses, including MS nurses play a crucial role in the care of people living with neurological conditions.

The VHI Women's Mini Marathon is taking place on Sunday September 19th. Like last year, this year's event will be a virtual event where you can complete 10km anywhere you like. The Mini Marathon is one of the most popular and important fundraisers for MS Ireland and over the year's 100's of inspirational ladies have clocked up 1000's of kilometers raising vital funds for the 9,000 people in Ireland living with MS. You can register your interest in taking part today.

One such person who has taken part in the Mini Marathon, a whopping 13 times is Deirdre Flynn. Deirdre was diagnosed with MS in 2019 and below she tells us about her diagnosis experience and why she is taking part in this year's Mini Marathon.

MS Ireland launches dedicated resource ‘Understanding MS@Work’ for people living with MS and their employers to become more informed on the daily impact of MS. 9 out of 10 people with MS say the pandemic has helped steer conversations with their employers about the benefits of working from home long-term.

• New research among MS Ireland members reveals impact of COVID-19 on employment, and how working life with MS can be better understood by employers
• 80% of people with MS say the way they work has changed as a result of the pandemic
• Although 85% say their employer knows they are living with MS, more than one-fifth (21%) of respondents cited ‘lack of understanding / empathy’ as the issue that most impacts their working life

An anonymous survey is being co-ordinated by Prof Ronan Killeen, Consultant Radiologist, St Vincent's University Hospital and Dr Brendan Kelly, PhD candidate UCD and Radiology SpR and designed with input from MS Ireland.