The Calgary MS Program Patient Education Podcast

Podcast 4 - An Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

In this podcast, I interview Nicole Nayoski, a clinical psychologist affiliated with the Calgary MS Program. The purpose of the podcast is to introduce cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as a tool that can help empower patients in managing their anxiety and depression, as well as other symptoms such as fatigue and sexual dysfunction. Nicole explains what CBT is and how it works. She gives practical examples of techniques to combat negative thinking patterns (such as catastrophizing and black and white thinking). She explains how CBT can be used to challenge unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviours, improve emotional regulation, and develop personal coping strategies. Finally, she gives advice on how patients can access CBT either through the MS clinic or on their own.

Podcast 3 - Neuropsychiatric Management of Fatigue, Depression, and Anxiety

In this podcast, I interview Dr. Aaron Mackie, who is a neuropsychiatrist affiliated with the Calgary MS Program. We discuss the diagnosis and treatment of fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Dr. Mackie explains how he differentiates fatigue related to MS itself versus fatigue related to an underlying mood disorder such as depression. He explains how the treatment of each of these forms of fatigue is different and offers advice on strategies and medications that can be targeted to each form of fatigue. He also explains how he chooses the most appropriate medication to treat anxiety or depression in individual patients.

Podcast 2 - Non-Pharmacological Management of Fatigue

In this podcast on the non-pharmacological management of MS-related fatigue, I interview Megan Parker, Heather Squires, and Erin Giroux, who are occupational therapists affiliated with the Calgary MS Program. We discuss the definition of fatigue, why MS-related fatigue is different from the fatigue experienced by people without MS, as well as various strategies that can be used to combat fatigue. For example, we discuss the use of fatigue scales in activity diaries, and explore how activity analysis can be helpful in coming up with an overall management plan to help patients reduce their fatigue. Future podcasts will address the role of cognitive behavioural therapy in fatigue management as well as pharmacological approaches.

Podcast 1 - Introduction to the Calgary MS Program

Welcome to the Calgary MS program patient education podcast series. This is the first podcast in a series designed to empower patients to learn about their disease and the symptoms they may experience throughout their disease course. The inaugrual podcast features an interview with Colleen Harris, nurse practioner and manager of the Calgary MS program. We discuss the history of the Calgary MS program, how patients are referred to the Calgary MS program, and what ressources are available to patients registered in the Calgary MS program. Colleen discusses what has changed since she first started practicing in the field of MS in the mid 1980s as well as her vision for the future of MS care.

Managing relapses, pseudorelapses, and symptoms

In this interview with Dr. Michael Yeung, MS Neurologist and Calgary MS Clinic Director, we discuss how to differentiate a true relapse from a pseudorelapse, as well as how to manage various symptoms that commonly occur in MS. The intended audience for this podcast is family physicians.

When to Suspect Multiple Sclerosis - Common Initial Symptoms and Red Flags

In this interview with Dr. Michael Yeung, Multiple Sclerosis Neurologist and Calgary Multiple Sclerosis Clinic Director, we discuss the common initial symptoms that patients may have when MS is first suspected. We also discuss synptoms that would be atypical for MS and should prompt a search for other possible causes of the symptoms. The intended audience for this podcast is family physicians.