Alicia Aiello, president of Girls With Guts, shares her journey with IBD, which began in childhood. She discusses major surgeries, including a proctectomy that resulted in an unexpected loss of her fallopian tubes and an ovary, and the early onset of perimenopause. Alicia opens up about navigating rectovaginal fistulas, feeling dismissed, and the importance of knowing when to switch providers.
Continue readingAmber Tresca talks with Andrew Giffin, a product manager in Toronto who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 19 after years of symptoms in high school. Andrew shares his experience navigating three major surgeries, adjusting his career path away from law enforcement, and learning to manage stress as part of living with a chronic illness. He also discusses developing apps, including Brown Note, a free, anonymous peer-support app for people with digestive diseases. Brown Note was inspired by his own feelings of isolation while preparing for his third surgery and is available on Apple, Android, and the web.
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We explore the idea of setting intentions instead of resolutions in the new year, which are more adaptable for people living with IBD. Amber shares clips from guests who explain their intentions, such as prosper, discipline, generosity, consistency, and the importance of taking breaks. Each guest highlights how intentions guide actions and mindset, emphasizing personal growth, resilience, and kindness, despite unpredictability.
I’m a little tired of being “resilient,” aren’t you?
I’m told I’ve developed resiliency, and that’s how I’ve made it through the difficulties with my illnesses (ulcerative colitis and others) and their treatments, such as surgeries. I don’t really think of it that way, however. My perspective on resilience is that I don’t see how I could exist without it.
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Amber and Mariah discuss how women with chronic illnesses cope with advice on medication use in pregnancy—especially in light of the confusion around acetaminophen. Mariah shares her experiences with rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy, focusing on changes in medication safety data. They talk about the pressure, stigma, and lack of support for pregnant women, the need for nuanced guidance, and provide resources.
Living with a chronic illness like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is isolating. Not only are there stigmatizing physical symptoms, but there’s an emotional toll. It’s challenging for patients to find understanding and support in their everyday lives.
In episode 184 of About IBD, I sat down with Crohn’s patient and advocate Aaron Blocker to talk about the role of online community. Aaron shares his journey in building an online support group for people with IBD, including the successes and the frustrations.
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Community can help people with IBD access disease information and feel less alone. Amber talks with Aaron Blocker about the importance of finding and creating community for those living with IBD. They explore how online groups provide support and counter misinformation, while also discussing the importance of being cautious when sharing personal experiences online. They emphasize the importance of authenticity, learning from mistakes, and prioritizing the well-being of others.
A children’s book leads to this conversation, which bridges the worlds of chronic illness, creativity, and connection. I talk with MB (Britt) Mooney, author of “The Mouse Who Couldn’t Eat Cheese,” a children’s book inspired by a young woman named Alex who lived with severe Crohn’s disease. MB, a science fiction and fantasy author, stepped outside his usual genre to create a story that helps kids and families understand invisible illnesses and the power of friendship. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes insight on MB’s creative process, the lessons learned from working with Alex’s family, and the message he hopes every reader takes away—whether they live with inflammatory bowel disease or not.
Living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex journey that extends beyond physical symptoms. IBD affects us as whole people, not just digestive systems.
On The Mind-Body Connection in IBS and IBD Featuring Ali Navidi, PsyD – About IBD Podcast Episode 178, Dr. Ali Navidi, a gastropsychologist and co-founder of GI Psychology, discusses the often-overlooked mental health challenges that come with an IBD diagnosis. Patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals will all come away with a deeper understanding of the gut-brain connection and practical strategies for holistic care.
This blog post covers some of the themes and expert advice from the episode, offering in-depth guidance and actionable tips for managing the mental health aspects of IBD.
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Elizabeth Coldrick, a nutritional therapist and breathwork facilitator living with IBD and a permanent ostomy shares her experiences living in Bali, the challenges and benefits of managing IBD abroad, and the importance of nutrition and breathwork for mental and physical health. She explains how breathwork can reduce stress and inflammation, offers a simple breathing exercise, and discusses her new nutrition e-book for people with ostomies. The episode highlights self-care, community, and practical strategies for living well with IBD.
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