
Choosing Ostomy Surgery With Hannah Martin-Spencer
Is it surprising to learn that some people living with IBD choose to have ostomy surgery? Hannah, a 24-year-old woman, shares her journey through the initial symptoms of IBD at the age of 15, to getting a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. She describes how her symptoms worsened after diagnosis, including bleeding, bowel urgency, and fatigue, which led to multiple hospitalizations. Hannah advocated for surgery to treat her pancolitis, despite an initial difference of opinion with her medical team. After surgery, Hannah's symptoms were significantly improved and she regained a sense of normalcy in her life. Hannah discusses the pros and cons of choosing an ostomy over a J-pouch, the importance of quality of life, and how surgery could impact her future fertility. Concepts discussed on this episode: Yang X, He M, Tang Q, et al. Assessment of anti-inflammatory efficacy of acupuncture in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2023;74:102946. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102946. Bao C, Wu L, Wang D, et al. Acupuncture improves the symptoms, intestinal microbiota, and inflammation of patients with mild to moderate Crohn's disease: A randomized controlled trial. EClinicalMedicine. 2022;45:101300. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101300. Bae JH, Kang SY, You SE, Jeong HI, Jang S, Kim KH. The Effects of Acupuncture on Crohn's Disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pharmacopuncture. 2023;26(3):211-226. doi:10.3831/KPI.2023.26.3.211. Find Hannah Martin-Spencer on: Instagram: @hans_colitisjourney Find Amber J Tresca at: AboutIBD.com: About IBD Verywell Health: Verywell Health Facebook: @aboutIBD Twitter: @aboutIBD Pinterest: @aboutibd Instagram: @about_IBD YouTube: @AboutIBD https://www.threads.net/@about_ibd Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at: Facebook: @maccooneycomposer Instagram: @maccooneycomposer YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer Web: Cooney Studio Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio. Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD159 These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
1 Okt 202458min

Starting College After a Crohn’s Diagnosis
Christina King shares her journey with being diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2021. She was misdiagnosed with gastritis and hemorrhoids, until her severe symptoms of rectal bleeding and weight loss, plus multiple trips to the emergency department led to a hospitalization. An in-patient colonoscopy finally led to a diagnosis of Crohn's, and she was finally able to get treatment and improve. She was unable to go to school with her high school graduating class, and is now ready to start pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. Christina tells Amber where she went for information in the early days after diagnosis and how she's approaching accommodations for IBD as she begins school. Find Christina King at: Twitter: @cking5498 Instagram: @christina_king227 SnapChat: @christinaking16 Find Amber J Tresca at: AboutIBD.com: About IBD Verywell Health: Verywell Health Facebook: @aboutIBD Twitter: @aboutIBD Instagram: @about_IBD YouTube: @AboutIBD Threads: @about_IBD Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at: Facebook: @maccooneycomposer Instagram: @maccooneycomposer YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer Web: Cooney Studio Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio. Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD158 These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
17 Sep 202441min

IBD and the Patient-Physician Relationship
The relationship between patient and physician in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) is so critical to the success of the management of the disease. Both the patient and the physician have roles to play in developing and maintaining a good working relationship. One such example of a truly special and inspirational patient-physician relationship is illustrated here between Dr Julie Spivack, a gastroenterologist with Connecticut GI, and Rosa, her patient. Rosa and Dr Spivack discuss their close bond and how the listening, empathy, honesty, and open-mindedness work to build trust and achieve successful outcomes in patient-physician relationships Find Julie Spivack, MD at: Web: Connecticut GI Find Amber J Tresca at: AboutIBD.com: About IBD Verywell: Verywell Health Facebook: @aboutIBD Twitter: @aboutIBD Pinterest: @aboutibd Instagram: @about_IBD YouTube: @AboutIBD Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at: Facebook: @maccooneycomposer Instagram: @maccooneycomposer YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer Web: Cooney Studio Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio. Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD157 These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
13 Aug 202425min

IBD and Accommodations at Work With Katie Connelly
Amber Tresca and Katie Connelly discuss the challenges and importance of workplace accommodations for individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Katie has been through the process of asking for accommodations with different employers and shares her personal experience, emphasizing the need for understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She relates her experience and gives advice to both employers and employees on how to manage the accommodation journey. Plus, she gives the resources that she found most helpful to help her learn about her rights as an employee. Find Katie Connelly at: Spotify: Katie Connelly Web: Badass With a Bad Ass LinkedIn: Katie Connelly Instagram: @badass.w.a.bad.ass Find Amber J Tresca at: AboutIBD.com: About IBD Verywell: Verywell Health Facebook: @aboutIBD Twitter: @aboutIBD Pinterest: @aboutibd Instagram: @about_IBD YouTube: @AboutIBD Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at: Facebook: @maccooneycomposer Instagram: @maccooneycomposer YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer Web: Cooney Studio Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio. Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD156 These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
30 Juli 202451min

Connecting to Cure Crohn's and Colitis With Stacy Dylan
Amber is joined by Stacy Dylan, co-founder and executive director of Connecting to Cure Crohn's and Colitis (CtoC). CtoC is a patient advocacy group focused on addressing unmet needs in the IBD community. Stacy founded CtoC to help other families after her son was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. CtoC offers support groups, mentorship programs, and gut-friendly workouts. Stacy offers advice to parents of children with IBD, encouraging them to take things one step at a time and not be overwhelmed by information from the internet. Follow Connecting to Cure: Web: https://www.connectingtocure.org Twitter: @connecttocure Instagram: @connectingtocure Facebook: @ConnectingToCure Follow Stacy’s Medium page at: https://stacyjdylan.medium.com. Find Amber J Tresca at: AboutIBD.com: About IBD Verywell: Verywell Health Facebook: @aboutIBD Twitter: @aboutIBD Pinterest: @aboutibd Instagram: @about_IBD YouTube: @AboutIBD Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at: Facebook: @maccooneycomposer Instagram: @maccooneycomposer YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer Web: Cooney Studio Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio. Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD155 These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
9 Juli 202453min

Men's Health and IBD
There tend to be more women than men who share their journey with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis). The reasons are challenging to uncover, but what's clear is that more can be done to raise the visibility of men living with an IBD, ostomy, or other digestive condition. My guest is Jordan William Henry Aggen, also known as Crohn's Trooper. Jordan emphasizes the importance of open communication, pre-planning, and finding support from friends, family, and social media to cope with the disease. Concepts discussed on this episode: Which is Nerdier: Star Wars or Star Trek? Find Jordan William Henry Aggen at: Facebook: @JWHA2011 Instagram: @crohnstrooper Find Amber J Tresca at: AboutIBD.com: About IBD Verywell: Verywell Health Facebook: @aboutIBD Twitter: @aboutIBD Pinterest: @aboutibd Instagram: @about_IBD YouTube: @AboutIBD Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at: Facebook: @maccooneycomposer Instagram: @maccooneycomposer YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer Web: Cooney Studio Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio. Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD154 These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
25 Juni 202438min

"Boo Can't Poo!" With Iris Wang, MD
Dr Iris Wang, assistant professor in the division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Associate Program Director of the GI fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and Amber Tresca discuss the stigma surrounding gut health and poop. Dr Wang shares the experience of writing a children's book focused on preventing and managing constipation titled "Boo Can't Poo!" They also discuss the challenges of publishing a book on gut health and the potential benefits of talking about poop and toileting, emphasizing the importance of open communication and personalized treatment. Listen to learn about where you can get "Boo Can't Poo!" and how parents with IBD can manage their anxiety around the idea of their kids developing IBD. Order "Boo Can't Poo!" ISBN 9798887701431: Mayo Clinic Press Amazon Barnes and Noble Bookshop.org Target Walmart Find Xiao Jing "Iris" Wang, MD at: Twitter: @IrisWangMD LinkedIn: @xiao-jing-wang-b755339 Instagram: @iriswangmd Find Amber J Tresca at: AboutIBD.com: About IBD Verywell: Verywell Health Facebook: @aboutIBD Twitter: @aboutIBD Pinterest: @aboutibd Instagram: @about_IBD YouTube: @AboutIBD Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at: Facebook: @maccooneycomposer Instagram: @maccooneycomposer YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer Web: Cooney Studio Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio. Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD153 These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
4 Juni 202432min

The GEM Project With Chantel Wicks
What is being done to help prevent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the next generation? The Genetic, Environmental, Microbial (GEM) Project is a research study from Crohn's and Colitis Canada (CCC) focused on finding possible causes for Crohn’s disease by following healthy people who are at a higher risk for developing the disease. To talk about GEM, Amber interviews CCC volunteer Chantel Wicks. Chantel is the chapter president for the Durham Region in Ontario and the Chair of their Gutsy Walk, which is a fundraiser and event that takes place every year in the first weekend of June. Learn more about how the GEM Project is uncovering important information on the development of IBD and how to get involved in CCC and The Gutsy Walk. Find Chantel Wicks on the Guts and Glory Podcast at: Web: https://gutsnglory.ca/ Facebook: @GtsNGlry Twitter: @GtsNGlry Instagram: @gtsnglry Find Crohn's and Colitis Canada at: Web: https://crohnsandcolitis.ca/ The Gutsy Walk: https://gutsywalk.ca/ Facebook: @getgutsycanada Twitter: @getgutsycanada Instagram: @getgutsycanada Find Amber J Tresca at: AboutIBD.com: About IBD Verywell: Verywell Health Facebook: @aboutIBD Twitter: @aboutIBD Pinterest: @aboutibd Instagram: @about_IBD Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at: Facebook: @maccooneycomposer Instagram: @maccooneycomposer Web: Cooney Studio Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio. Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD152 These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
14 Maj 202442min