Would You Switch Your Biologic If It Was Working?It is truly amazing how many new medications are hitting the market to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease. Whether they are brand new, or medications that were once used...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
I Broke Up with My GI: The Dos and Don'ts of Switching DoctorsOver the years, I have visited numerous doctors seeking treatment for my ulcerative colitis. Through experience, I’ve learned that not all gastroenterologists (GI doctors) are created equally. If you are...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What to Expect at Your First Gastroenterologist AppointmentI remember when my general practitioner (GP) told me that I had Crohn’s more than 3 decades ago. I will never forget it. After the initial shock of it all...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
A Better Colonoscopy PrepColonoscopies are a crucial procedure to have for anyone who has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In my case, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and yearly colonoscopies have become a...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Air-Fried "Roasted" PotatoesRaise your hand if you like fried food. Now raise your hand if fried food doesn't like you. If you suffer from Crohn's or UC, you probably know that fried...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
"What’s Crohn's?" How I Explain My Condition to OthersAfter being sick for a very long time, I was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease back in 2009. By this point, I’d been in and out of doctors offices and...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
UC and Chronic PainAs I'm sure you all know by now, ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms can vary from person to person. Unfortunately, that's the nature of the disease – our symptoms differ, our...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
5 Things Not to Say to Someone With IBDI'm not sure which is more infuriating, having your lab results come back completely normal when you feel like absolute death or having someone tell you, "Maybe you should give...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Crohn's Symptoms That Seem UnbelievableI was diagnosed with Crohn's disease back in 2011. It has been 12 years dealing with this diagnosis and I always found it interesting when discussing symptoms with those who don't...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Childhood Trauma and IBD: Is There a Connection?"What causes ulcerative colitis?" This question is most often asked when I explain my inflammatory bowel disease. Although no one can pinpoint the exact cause, many experts believe some of...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?Remember when we were in college or just starting out in our career and people would ask, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" And you, as a young...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
What Is "Step Therapy"?: The Impact of Insurance on Our Treatment DecisionsMy ulcerative colitis symptoms have mostly been controlled by 5-ASA medications. These medications help manage my symptoms, averting the increased urgency or bloody stool that accompanies flares. However, my UC...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Extreme IBD Fatigue That Comes With a Holiday HangoverOh, the joy of the festive season! Honestly, I do love it, but at the same time, wow... This year truly wore me out! Generally speaking, I try not to...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Pulling Yourself Out of the Lowest of LowsIt's hard to have a good day when every day seems like the worst. Experiencing repeated Crohn's or ulcerative colitis flares can take a toll on your mental health as...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
New Crohn's Disease Guidelines Should Mean Fewer Colonoscopies for PatientsIn November 2023, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) released new guidelines for managing Crohn's disease. The new guidelines may mean that people living with Crohn's disease will need fewer colonoscopies...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Social Impact of Living With IBDI was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when I was 21 years old. In some ways, I am lucky in that I did not have to endure the excruciating symptoms during my...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What's the Root Cause of My Crohn's Disease?Wow, I wish I knew the answer to this question. Does anyone know the answer to this question? That's something I think about all of the time. In truth, we...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Is Anything Safe to Eat?I remember my complicated relationship with food starting really early on in my IBD journey. Pre-diagnosis, actually. When my ulcerative colitis symptoms started in 2007, I was dealing with incredible...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
How to Support Someone with UC or Crohn's This DecemberWhen a friend or loved one is diagnosed with an inflammatory bowel disease, it can be challenging to know what to say or do — especially if you don't fully...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Up-and-Down, Up-and-Down Dance of PrednisoneAt some point in your IBD journey you will need to embrace the world of pharmaceuticals from 5-ASAs to immunomodulators, biologics to steroids. If you are lucky, you may need...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
