For those of you new to my site or just wanting to learn more about my story, I figured I would do a blog post talking about my where my IBD journey started to where I am now. I want to emphasize that my experience with IBD has never been linear. It has required a… Continue reading My IBD Journey: From the Beginning to Now
Tag: IBD
Creating Your Community
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
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
Trust Your Gut (But I Can't!) 