Podcast Summary: Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

Episode: Understanding the Latest Evidence with Neurologist Dr. Agne Straukiene

Date: August 13, 2025
Host: Geoff Allix (Overcoming MS)

Episode Overview

This rich episode of Living Well with MS dives into the latest evidence and evolving practices in multiple sclerosis (MS) management and wellness. Host Geoff Allix welcomes leading neurologist and MS specialist Dr. Agne Straukiene for a candid discussion about self-management, digital health innovations, lifestyle interventions, and the future of MS care. Dr. Straukiene, recognized internationally for her work in MS brain health, offers both clinical insight and practical advice for living well with MS, emphasizing the power of both medical therapies and proactive lifestyle choices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of Self-Management in MS

• Empowering Patients:
  • Dr. Straukiene stresses that MS care doesn’t just happen in the clinic; patients must be equipped to manage their health daily.

  “If people living with MS just rely on the doctors and doctors' appointments, it can be very disappointing... Everyday things can make a real difference if you know how to self-help.” (03:58)

• Lifestyle as an Adjunct, Not a Cure:
  • She clarifies that there is no cure for MS yet, and cautions against “miracle cure” claims, but highlights the tangible benefits of resilience through healthy habits and knowledge.
• Core Lifestyle Pillars:
  • Exercise, social connection, stress management, proper sleep, and mindful nutrition are repeatedly emphasized for their role in slowing disease progression and improving quality of life.

  “Disease modifying therapies, exercises, building the resilience, socializing, connecting with other people, practicing mindfulness meditation, knowing how to manage the stress...” (00:00, 19:38, 25:02)

2. Digital Tools for MS Self-Management

• Introduction of Patient-Led Digital Apps:
  • Connect Plus App: Offers curated information, podcasts, referrals, and resources—especially valuable for those newly diagnosed.
  • Patients Know Best (PKB): A platform for symptom tracking, test results, device integration, and direct communication with clinicians, shown to correlate with better functional outcomes.

  “When we look at the scores of the disability and function... PKB users have a lower score that indicates their function is much better...” (06:31)

• Other Tools:
  • Mentions numerous MS symptom trackers and emphasizes even simple symptom journaling—digital or paper—is valuable for pattern identification and preparation for clinical visits.
• Remote Assessments using Augmented Reality:
  • Ongoing research into using AR glasses and wearable sensors to remotely assess patients’ motor function in their home environments, aiming to make care more accurate and accessible.

  “With the glasses, you have a vision of the environment where they live, how they cope, how can they mobilize... It's a really immersive experience.” (15:18)

3. Navigating Clinical Conversations

• Preparation for Appointments:
  • Dr. Straukiene recommends that patients prepare a prioritized list of symptoms for limited appointment times.

  “I quite often say to my patients, OK, tell me top three symptoms that you would like to get some help with... Preparation, journaling, being record of your symptoms, almost like helps you to prepare for the clinical consultations.” (10:39, 12:10)

• Bi-Directional Communication:
  • Advocates an open, honest dialogue between patients and healthcare providers, tailored to the patient’s readiness and phase of disease.

  “It's creating that confidence, trust, and partnership, at the end of the day, and finding the right time to discuss these issues.” (19:38)

4. Latest Research and Evidence on MS & Lifestyle

• Dietary Impact:
  • Recent studies show high-quality diets (plant-based, Mediterranean, reduced meat) may decrease disability progression, depression, and brain inflammation.

  “Plant-based food that reduced meat, for example, intake can reduce the progression of the disability, lowers incidence of depression and anxiety, and alleviates the inflammatory processes within the brain.” (30:48)

• Non-Pharmacological Interventions:
  • Psychological well-being programs, physical activity, and dietary improvements are associated with improved quality of life and possibly disease trajectory.
• Preventive Strategies:
  • Emerging research on genetics, environment, and MS risk underscores the need for preventative lifestyle strategies even before onset.

5. Addressing Progressive MS

• What if Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs) Aren’t Effective?
  • Dr. Straukiene encourages continued emphasis on rehabilitation, social connection, mental stimulation, and symptom management even when DMTs are no longer useful.

  “It’s not the end of care plan; it’s something that is a beginning of something very exciting and new. Rehabilitation is very, very important...” (33:29)

• Practical Advice:
  • Stretching, preventing contractures, and maintaining social engagement are all key (“calling a friend, having conversations, having mental stimulus”).

6. The Future of MS Research & Care

• Optimistic Outlook:
  • Advances in early diagnosis (new MRI techniques, biomarkers), digital health, EBV virus vaccination research, and personalized medicine are guiding the next decade.

  “I think the future is bright because we are focused on MS disease prevention… the future is here to some extent, but some exciting things are also coming in the next decade or so.” (35:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Self-Efficacy:

  "If you add a bit of your intentions and show some interest in helping yourself, step by step you will find your way how to improve your life. With wellness and lifestyle, it’s not an instant effect… it's a long journey."
  (22:20) – Dr. Agne Straukiene

• On Stress:

  “Stress is every day for everyone. Nobody’s defended and protected from that, but knowing how to respond to their stress stimulus is the art and that comes within time.”
  (25:00) – Dr. Agne Straukiene

• On Patient-Physician Partnership:

  "We both work as partners and we both worry about your situation, but if we have a structure, segmented plan, it really gives us a lot of smart management strategies."
  (13:12) – Dr. Agne Straukiene

• Memorable Podcast Story:
  • Dr. Straukiene’s favorite podcast episode involved learning about olive oil production from an actor-guest, which inspired her to visit Tuscany and deeply reflected her passion for integrating “blue zone” longevity lessons into MS wellness.
    (27:49–29:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Definition & Impact of MS, Importance of Lifestyle: 00:00 – 02:00, 19:38 – 22:36
• Self-Management Philosophy: 03:58 – 05:49
• Digital Tools & Symptom Tracking: 06:31 – 10:12, 15:06 – 19:20
• Clinic Preparation & Communication: 10:39, 12:10, 13:45
• Augmented Reality Assessment: 15:18 – 19:24
• Latest Research on Diet & Psychological Well-being: 30:48 – 33:08
• Advice for Progressive MS: 33:29 – 35:49
• Future of MS Care: 35:55 – 37:15
• Podcast Reflections: 26:43 – 30:37

Additional Resources

• Dr. Straukiene's Podcast: Be Well with MS – covers practical, real-life and evidence-based wellness advice for the MS community.
• Overcoming MS Program: Offers structured resources on nutrition, exercise, stress management, and community support.

Tone

The tone throughout the conversation is supportive, practical, and hopeful, blending scientific rigor with compassion and real-world advice. Dr. Straukiene comes across as deeply dedicated to her patients’ holistic well-being and keen to bridge the gap between evidence and everyday life.

Takeaway

Living well with MS is a multifaceted journey; while medication remains central, the daily actions, habits, and self-management strategies of people with MS play a profound role in shaping outcomes. With ever-advancing tools, research, and a culture of patient empowerment, both the present and future for those living with MS hold greater potential than ever before.