When I was first diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, I had no idea how important my community was going to be for me. Hearing the words - "you have a chronic illness" - is NOT easy to comprehend or incorporate into your daily life. I struggled for a few months and decided to only lean on… Continue reading Creating Your Community
Author: Christie Chaump
The Difference Between IBS and IBD
Many people often confuse Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) because they both have to do with the digestive system, but they are in fact both very different diseases. In this blog post, I want to separate the two and explain the main differences. Keep in mind there is no cure for… Continue reading The Difference Between IBS and IBD
Chronic Illness and Invisibility
Having a chronic illness or a disability does not always mean your symptoms are visible to others. People are quick to discount you if your symptoms are not physically seen. When I go about my normal daily life, people around me probably assume I am a healthy young woman. Little do they know, I have… Continue reading Chronic Illness and Invisibility
A Book Review: The Mind-Gut Connection
I stumbled upon a book titled The Mind-Gut Connection by Emeran Mayer, MD at Sundance bookstore here in Reno recently. It was not a book I was really looking for, but was misplaced on the shelf and the cover caught my eye. I have written a previous blog post about the brain-gut connection and how… Continue reading A Book Review: The Mind-Gut Connection
Navigating a Post-Pandemic World with IBD
Having a chronic illness is hard. But navigating a post-pandemic world with a chronic illness is ten times harder. For people with IBD or IBS, the pandemic was actually a blessing in disguise because it allowed us to be comfortable in our own homes and use our own bathrooms. The shutdown was an excuse for… Continue reading Navigating a Post-Pandemic World with IBD
Be Your Own Advocate
One thing I have learned from seeing multiple doctors over the years was to be my own advocate. At my age, it is really easy for doctors to discount what I tell them and just shove medication down my throat. On my first trip to the GI doctor, I was worried they wouldn't believe me… Continue reading Be Your Own Advocate
The Low-FODMAP Diet for IBD
Recently, I have gotten a few questions from friends about the low-FODMAP diet and how it helps in controlling IBD or IBS symptoms, such as diarrhea, bloating, constipation and stomach pain. When I was first diagnosed with IBD, I was given a list of foods that I should be eating and a list of foods… Continue reading The Low-FODMAP Diet for IBD
Living With Gratitude
When I was first diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, practicing gratitude was hard. How could I be grateful that I got a chronic, autoimmune disease with no cure? Those of you that know me personally know that I am a Catholic, faith-based woman. I grew up in the Catholic church and actively practice my faith. My… Continue reading Living With Gratitude
The Importance of Essential Oils
Essential oils are a huge part of my bedtime routine. In addition to my white noise machine that I mentioned in my previous blog post about getting a good night's sleep, I have an essential oil diffuser I turn on about thirty minutes before I go to sleep. Essential oils have become very popular in… Continue reading The Importance of Essential Oils
A Book Review: What Doesn’t Kill You
I recently read Tessa Miller's book titled What Doesn't Kill You which has proved to be a big hit in the chronic illness community. A member of my support group recommended the book to me and without hesitation, I bought it. Through every word, I felt connected. By the end, I just hoped that even… Continue reading A Book Review: What Doesn’t Kill You
