Living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis is challenging (ahem…understatement). And navigating the world of IBD medications can be scary and confusing. However, knowing about your treatment options can make things a little easier. One of the big improvements in recent years is the use of biologic medications. In this post, I will explore what these medications are, how they can help, and what you need to know to make the best choices for your…
Dealing with doctors If you are living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, there is a good chance you are going to have a fair amount of interaction with the health system. Especially early on during diagnosis or during a flare. This usually involves a lot of doctors appointments. Unfortunately, this is just a fact of life for many of those with IBD. Picture this: you are sitting in a small exam room waiting to…
As I said in a previous post: “Oh, prednisone, what a magical, terrible drug you are”. And I mean it. For people with IBD who are in the midst of a bad flare – prednisone can literally be a lifesaver, as it can knock down inflammation FAST. Of course, I am not a doctor, and everything I say in this post should be taken with a grain of salt. However…for better or worse, I do…
Hi All. After another lengthy hiatus…I’m back at the keyboard. Here’s hoping 2024 brings us all good things. I’d like to start the new year by saying a huge thank you to those who have posted comments and positive feedback on my blog. Your words are incredibly touching, and it warms my heart to know that even just a few people are benefiting from this project. This latest post is focused on a topic that…
Weighing the decision The dreaded “S-word”. The thought of surgery can bring up a ton of emotions for those living with IBD. Some are negative, like fear, panic, and uncertainty. Others are more positive – change, hope, and healing. This post is for anyone with IBD who may be considering surgery. Or has undergone surgery…or is supporting someone undergoing surgery. When I was first diagnosed with IBD in 2016, the prospect of surgery rarely crossed…
In the beginning The road to diagnosing IBD is often a frustrating process – overwhelming, scary, and embarrassing. Your whole world can feel like it’s being turned upside down. IBD can be a pain in the butt to diagnose (sorry, bad pun). Symptoms vary person-to-person. You may experience varying degrees of diarrhea, nausea, cramping, bloating, or fatigue. Initially, many chalk it up to nothing. IBD can be mistaken for a laundry list of different issues,…
From physician to remission Right now there is no cure for IBD. The main goal then is to find a medication that will put you into remission (heal the lining of your GI tract) and keep you in remission. For some, this will be a relatively straightforward process: you find a med that works and stay on it (“maintenance”). Likely forever. Or until they find a cure for IBD. Or until your body develops a…
Inflammatory bowel what? So what the heck is IBD anyway? I’ve been talking about it a lot, but I have yet to actually define it. Whoops. Most of you reading are likely already well versed in IBD: you are living it, or you know someone who is living with it. But for those of you who are unfamiliar, new to IBD, or need a refresher…here are a few quick IBD facts. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)…
