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The final episode! Thanks for listening and sharing. Today, in episode five of five, we're discussing recent research updates. ** Please note: Brett talks about the upcoming ECTRIMS/ACTRIMS conference in this episode, which has since passed. Find out information about the 2027 event in Toronto here: mstoronto2026.org ** -- Welcome to Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand’s 5 part series for MS Awareness Week 2025. This week, host Jess Brien will be chatting with people who are living with MS, healthcare professionals, and people who have dedicated their lives to making living with MS possible, to discuss how Time Matters in MS.  Guests: Dr Elza Cloete (Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand Research Trust), Dr Daniel Cornfeld and Paul Condron (Mātai Medical Research Institute) & Brett Drummond (MS Translate).  Find out more about ECTRIMS Patient Community Day here: www.ectrimspatientcommunity.eu  Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand works alongside 18 regional societies to advocate for better services, equity of care, and improved outcomes for over 5,000 people living with MS, their whānau, and carers. Together, they’re breaking down barriers to physical, mental, and financial wellbeing so that everyone impacted by MS can live their best life. Find out more over at msnz.org.nz.  A That's So production, hosted & produced by Jess Brien

Welcome back to episode four of five of this series in collaboration with Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand. It's recently been World MS Day (30 May) so I wanted to share 5 part series here as well. Today, it's all about parenthood. Guests: Jamie, Chris, Fiona D’Young (MS nurse specialist), Mandy, Dr Jennifer Pereira (neurologist) & Sam.  Watch the MS & Pregnancy series here: msnz.org.nz/ms-pregnancy Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand works alongside 18 regional societies to advocate for better services, equity of care, and improved outcomes for over 5,000 people living with MS, their whānau, and carers. Together, they’re breaking down barriers to physical, mental, and financial wellbeing so that everyone impacted by MS can live their best life. Find out more over at msnz.org.nz.  A That's So production, hosted & produced by Jess Brien.

In celebration of World MS Day (30 May), I'm releasing the 5 part series I created for Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand here! This is episode three of five, and it's all about travel. -- Welcome to Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand’s 5 part series for MS Awareness Week 2025. This week, host Jess Brien will be chatting with people who are living with MS, healthcare professionals, and people who have dedicated their lives to making living with MS possible, to discuss how Time Matters in MS.  Today we are discussing what traveling the world looks like, as well as competing in endurance sport, while also living with multiple sclerosis. Guests: Laura, Prue, Nick Allen (Mastering Mountains) & Sam Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand works alongside 18 regional societies to advocate for better services, equity of care, and improved outcomes for over 5,000 people living with MS, their whānau, and carers. Together, they’re breaking down barriers to physical, mental, and financial wellbeing so that everyone impacted by MS can live their best life. Find out more over at msnz.org.nz.  A That's So production, hosted & produced by Jess Brien.

Yesterday was World MS Day (30 May), so to celebrate, I wanted to share this 5 part series I created for Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand for MS Awareness Week. In episode two of five, we are discussing the different treatment options available in Aotearoa New Zealand for multiple sclerosis patients. ** Please note: Since this episode was created, Ocrevus/Ocrelizumab is now available as a subcutaneous injection for MS patients ** Guests: Dr Benson Chen (neurologist), Amanda Rose (National Manager for MSNZ), Jono & Laura Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand works alongside 18 regional societies to advocate for better services, equity of care, and improved outcomes for over 5,000 people living with MS, their whānau, and carers. Together, they’re breaking down barriers to physical, mental, and financial wellbeing so that everyone impacted by MS can live their best life. Find out more over at msnz.org.nz.  A That's So production, hosted & produced by Jess Brien.

Today is World MS Day (30 May) and to celebrate, I wanted to share this special 5 part series I created with Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand for MS Awareness Week. Here's episode one of five. It's all about diagnosis. -- This week, host Jess Brien will be chatting with people who are living with MS, healthcare professionals, and people who have dedicated their lives to making living with MS possible, to discuss how Time Matters in MS.  Today we are discussing what happens during a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.  Guests: Dr Benson Chen (neurologist), Chris, Monique, & Jono.  Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand works alongside 18 regional societies to advocate for better services, equity of care, and improved outcomes for over 5,000 people living with MS, their whānau, and carers. Together, they’re breaking down barriers to physical, mental, and financial wellbeing so that everyone impacted by MS can live their best life. Find out more over at msnz.org.nz.  A That's So production, hosted & produced by Jess Brien for MSNZ.

It's World Multiple Sclerosis Day today (30 May) so I wanted to share with you all a project I created for Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand for MS Awareness Week. I'm really proud of how this series came together, and am so grateful for everyone who shared their time and thoughts with me. Over the next 5 days, I will be sharing the 5 part podcast series talking about how Time Matters in MS. Tune in to hear from those living with MS, healthcare professionals, and people who have dedicated their lives to making living with multiple sclerosis possible. A That's So production, hosted and produced by Jess Brien.

Um, hiiii!  Firstly, I want to say a huge sorry for leaving you all in the lurch here on the That’s So Chronic podcast feed! Like I explain in this update episode, I really did not anticipate this big of a break between new episodes, hence why I didn’t let you know ahead of time!  In this episode I try to explain where the heck I’ve been and how I’ve been feeling, a little bit more of an insight into the different parts of my identity, the exciting things I’ve been working away on, and the plan for That’s So Chronic moving forward!  Really looking forward to being back in your ears again in early 2025, but for now, I would love to connect over on IG, Tiktok or Substack: @thatssochronic  I really miss bringing you these stories every Tuesday morning, so I feel really sad to be taking such a big break! But, I hope you will all understand. Thank you so much for supporting That’s So Chronic! @thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic Sing up to the newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com Application form to share your story next season: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9  Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the final Tuesday of the month which means it’s time for a That’s So episode! A chance to chat about a piece of content that’s in our That’s So Chronic world. Today, we’re chatting about the feature documentary Designer $hit directed by Saffron Cassaday.  In Designer $hit, director Saffron Cassaday, who has suffered from ulcerative colitis for nearly a decade, sets off on a journey to determine whether FMT (or fecal microbiota transplant) could potentially cure her of this disease. It's a great mix of patient experiences, scientific information, Saffron's personal experience, and honest reactions from everyone involved. In this episode, I get the chance to sit down with Saffron and chat all about her experience of not only living with UC and going through FMT for herself, but recording it all at the same time… Links to click on!  Official website: https://www.designershitdocumentary.com  Social media: @designershitdocumentary   And you can always find me over on Instagram and Tiktok: @thatssochronic  @thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #ThatsSoChronic If you have something that you would like discussed on an upcoming That’s So: episode, I would love to hear from you! Drop me an email ([email protected]) or a DM on instagram Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Tuesday! When I was passing through London, UK in July I was able to sit down and chat with Miranda Allen about her diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)  In this episode, Miranda looks back with hindsight and explains where it’s possible her symptoms began, the years of not really knowing what was going on, how she got a diagnosis, what on earth ME even is, her day to day symptoms, how she manages them and her latest creative endeavours. Some of you might remember Miranda from a previous That’s So episode (That’s So: Unrest documentary) but we didn’t get to chat too much about her story then, so I’m really excited to be able to bring you this episode with a lot more information today! Watch Miranda on Penn & Teller: youtube.com/watch?v=CfGGIQbsrrE  EeZeeGo website: https://www.eezeego.co.uk Symptom tracking app Visible: www.makevisible.com And don’t forget to connect over on IG and Tiktok, I’m @thatssochronic  @thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic Free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com Application form to share your story: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9  Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to That’s So Chronic! Today - in the middle of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe - I was able to sit down with comedian Markus Birdman, to chat about his experience of having two strokes, as well as living with a diagnosis of homonymous hemianopia. In this episode Markus explains how it it felt for him going through stroke number one and then stroke number two ten years later, what happens after you arrive at the hospital, how he navigates living with 50% eyesight, and the feelings he had when he was told that this is a disability. And then I get to ask Markus all about incorporating his experiences into his stand up comedy, including a little behind the scenes glimpse into what it’s like performing comedy about strokes to millions of people as a semi finalist on Britian's Got Talent! Follow Markus on Instagram: @markusbirdman And watch him on Britain’s Got Talent! www.youtube.com/watch?v=RirB3Z1K58s  To book tickets to Markus’ show PLATNUM, or find out more about his upcoming gigs, check out markusbirdmantour.com  Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to rate, review and press follow! You’re the best! @thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic Free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com Application form to share your story: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9  Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to That’s So Chronic! It’s the final Tuesday of the month which means it’s time for a That’s So episode, where we chat about something that’s in our That’s So Chronic world.  Today, we’re chatting about The Surgeons’ Hall Museums and the Blood & Guts: The Twists and Turns of Edinburgh’s Medical History Walking Tour that I was able to check out while I was in Edinburgh, Scotland during August.  Here are all of the links… MedCrimes podcast episode: S1Ep24: Burke and Hare Blood & Guts walking tour tickets   Surgeons’ Hall Museums website: museum.rcsed.ac.uk and social media: @surgeonshall And you can always find me over on Instagram and Tiktok: @thatssochronic  @thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #ThatsSoChronic If you have something that you would like discussed on an upcoming That’s So: episode, I would love to hear from you! Drop me an email ([email protected]) or a DM on instagram Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to That’s So Chronic!. Today I am chatting to psychiatrist, comedian, and author Dr Jo Prendergast about her diagnosis of breast cancer, as well as her latest book When Life Sucks.  In this episode, Jo talks us through her breast cancer diagnosis and what happened next. We chat about the amount of decisions you have to make after a diagnosis, the stark differences between public vs private health care here in New Zealand, and I have a revelation about life insurance. We also discuss how she incorporates her cancer journey into her stand up comedy, and all about her latest book titled When Life Sucks - a first-aid manual for supporting your teen’s mental health. To find about more about When Life Sucks, head to: drjoprendergast.com Follow Dr Jo on Instagram: @drjoprendergast.whenlifesucks and for all of her comedy information, follow @joghastly For more information about Jo’s comedy show “Cancer and Cartwheels” check out her comedy website: joghastly.com Cold capping information: hairtodayandtomorrow.co.nz And you can always find me over in Instagram and Tiktok: @thatssochronic  Thanks for listening and supporting! You’re my fave!  @thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic Free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com Application form to share your story: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9  Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to That's So Chronic! Today I am joined by Dr Saimun Singla and we are discussing her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis as well as her work as a paediatric rheumatologist and integrative medicine physician.  In this episode, Dr Saimun shares her story of working for years in rheumatology and then going through her own rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis process. We chat about how she felt suddenly becoming a patient of her own expertise, how she manages her symptoms, the art of saying no, and how she navigates working as a doctor, running her own clinic, being a mum and living with RA. Find out more about Dr Saimun’s clinic Rheum To Grow: www.rheumtogrowtx.com Follow on Instagram: @rheum.to.grow.tx   And if you need a reminder… Those three C’s were CATCH, CHALLENGE & CHANGE. You’re welcome!  If you have any questions, or just want to connect, you can find me on IG and Tiktok: @thatssochronic  @thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic Free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com Application form to share your story: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9  Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to That's So Chronic. It’s the final Tuesday of the month, which means it’s time for another That’s So episode. Today I am chatting to Olivia Shivas, the editor of The D*List - the home of disability culture in Aotearoa. The D*List is an online culture magazine that creates space for disabled people to tell their own stories through features, columns and news reporting. It’s quickly becoming one of my favourite places on the internet… so I was very excited to chat to Olivia!  In this episode, Olivia explains what it is that an editor does, what inspired the creation of The D*List, what the reception has been like since launching the website, why this space is important, and how people can reach out if they would like to contribute.  Check out the website now: https://thedlist.co.nz And don’t forget to follow on Instagram @thedlistnz and over on substack: https://thedlist.substack.com  Thanks for listening! Sorry it was a couple of days late this week!  Feel free to reach out on Instagram or Tiktok: @thatssochronic, and subscribe to the free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com @thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #ThatsSoChronic These That's So: episodes are released on the final Tuesday of every month. They are a chance to showcase a piece of content (books, films, interviews, literally anything and everything!) that is in the That's So Chronic world. If you have something that you would like discussed on an upcoming That’s So: episode, I would love to hear from you! Drop me an email ([email protected]) or send a DM on instagram. Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I am chatting to Nick Allen who is living with a diagnosis of functional neurological disorder (FND) and fibromyalgia. However, this was not always the case… In this episode Nick talks us through the long process of initially being diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, and the lifestyle changes that he implemented to manage his condition (one of these being the overcoming MS lifestyle). Nick then explains the adventure he eventually embarks on in the Himalayas, which inspires the creation of Mastering Mountains - a charitable trust helping others achieve their adventure dreams and connect with community. But, of course, as you have probably realised, his story doesn’t end there. Several years later Nick realises he has been misdiagnosed, and suddenly finds himself navigating the world of living with FND… Follow Nick on Instagram: @nick_allen  And check out Mastering Mountains: masteringmountains.org.nz Find That’s So Chronic on IG and Tiktok: @thatssochronic  @thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic Free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com Application form to share your story: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9  Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.