About IBD

A diagnosis of IBD can take away the thing that you feel defines you as a person. This is how it felt for Megan Starshak of The Great Bowel Movement, who describes how her ulcerative colitis diagnosis at age 18 stole her passion for running. The process of losing and then regaining her identity as a runner fueled her desire to help people live well with a diagnosis of IBD. Her foundation seeks to educate those outside the IBD community through the use of a simple conversation prompt: Ask Me About My IBD.

Find The Great Bowel Movement at:

• Web site: https://thegreatbowelmovement.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreatBM/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGreatBM
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGreatBM/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney/ "About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

The internet runs on advertising, which means that editors and writers are often tasked with getting the most possible eyeballs on their story. That can mean that there's pressure to write a controversial or sensational headline to get those clicks. In this episode, I invite experienced medical writer and university instructor, Shereen Lehman, to weigh in and tell you how to figure out if a story about IBD is good reporting — or if it's crap. Articles on critical thinking and research:

• Should IBD Patients Look To Mouse Studies For Hope?: http://aboutibd.com/2015/02/27/should-ibd-patients-look-to-mouse-studies-for-hope/
• 5 Keys to Uncovering Poor IBD Information Online: http://aboutibd.com/2018/03/26/5-keys-to-uncovering-poor-ibd-information-online/
• Why You Can't Trust "Dr Google": http://aboutibd.com/2016/08/08/why-you-cant-trust-dr-google/
• Why Not Every Study on IBD Is a Breakthrough: https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-not-every-study-on-ibd-is-a-breakthrough-4099015

Find Introvert's Retreat at:

• Web: https://introvertsretreatbox.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/introvertsretreatbox/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/introvertsretreatbox/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney/ "About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

I wanted to let you know what's happening in the About IBD world and how you can stay in touch and keep up with all the great progress that's happening! Find IBD Moms at:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IBDMoms/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibdmoms
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibdmoms/

Find National Ulcerative Colitis Alliance (NUCA) at:

• Take the survey! https://nuca.life/about-nuca/nuca-survey/
• Blog: https://nuca.life/did-uc-blog/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NUCALife/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/nuca_life
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/
• LinkedIn: https://twitter.com/NUCALife

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

"About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

Why is it important to tell our stories? Every person who has IBD is unique and so is their disease journey. You might not think your experience is relevant to others living with IBD or another chronic condition, but it is, in many ways. A story can provide validation and hope while helping put the reality of life with IBD in perspective. Brooke Abbott of The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles and IBD Moms and I continue our discussion of how we can support others with IBD through telling our stories and listening to yours. Find Brooke Abbott, The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles at:

• Blog: https://crazycreolemommy.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrazyCreoleMama
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrzyCreoleMommy/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazycreolemama/

Find IBD Moms at:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IBDMoms/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibdmoms
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibdmoms/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney/ "About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

What are your traditions around Thanksgiving? What we eat and how we celebrate Thanksgiving depends on where we live, our ethnicity, and our family traditions. What matters is coming together and remembering to be thankful. Brooke Abbott of The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles and IBD Moms tells me about some of her family's Thanksgiving traditions and how she talks about being grateful with her son. We discuss some of the ways we try to support the IBD community and what we can do better, especially during the hectic and stressful holiday season. Plus, see the end of the show notes for some of Brooke's recipes! Find Brooke Abbott, The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles at:

• Blog: https://crazycreolemommy.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrazyCreoleMama
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrzyCreoleMommy/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazycreolemama/

Find IBD Moms at:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IBDMoms/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibdmoms
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibdmoms/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

• Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney/
• "About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

Brooke's Jambalaya Recipe I cook my rice separately than the meat & broth. Then combine them together. This is the non-spicy version of cajun jambalaya. If you want it spicy you can add crushed red pepper or andouille sausage.

• Boneless Chicken Breast or Thighs
• Raw Shrimp w/out the tail
• Smoke Sausage
• Ham
• White Onion
• Fresh Garlic
• Bell Pepper
• Canned Diced Tomatoes
• Bay Leaf
• Green Onion
• Parsley
• Olive Oil
• Lemon Pepper
• Garlic Powder
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Tony Chachere Creole Seasoning

Directions: Use a large stewing pot to cook in and another pot for rice. Season the chicken and shrimp separately with lemon pepper, garlic powder, salt, and Tony's Chachere Creole Seasoning. Dice onion, garlic, and bell pepper together. Cover the bottom of the pot in a layer of olive oil. Place chicken in and brown on all sides. Remove chicken, dice, and set aside. Add the trifecta of garlic, onions, and peppers to the pot and brown. Add diced ham and sliced smoked sausage. Mix in a can of diced tomatoes and a bay leaf. Add salt and black pepper. Add chicken back in. Simmer. Stir in shrimp. Simmer again for 20 minutes. Add cooked rice and mix together. Garnish with sliced green onion and chopped parsley. Brooke's Christmas Spaghetti You can use any kind of pasta with the sauce.

• Ground Turkey or Beef
• Smoked Sausage
• Pete's Hot Sausage or Andouille Sausage
• Shrimp
• Ham
• Canned Peeled Tomato
• Onion
• Garlic
• Bell Pepper
• Tomato Sauce
• Salt
• Pepper
• Oregano
• Tony Chachere Creole Seasoning
• Better than Bouillon Chicken
• Olive Oil

Directions: In a large stew pot brown the ground meat. Once cooked through, add the onions, garlic, and bell pepper. Add ham and smoked sausage. *If adding a spicy sausage like Pete's Sausage or andouille, brown those in separate pan and then add to the mixture* Add canned peeled tomato and mash into large pieces. Mix in the tomato sauce. Add a teaspoon of Better than Bouillon Chicken. Season with Oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix all together and simmer. Pour over your choice of pasta.

Dating can be challenging for anyone at any stage in life, but having IBD and/or other chronic conditions adds another level of difficulty that can be disconcerting. Angela Cohen was diagnosed with Crohn's disease after her intestine perforated. Her long-term relationship ended not long after and she was thrust into the dating world. What she discovered while going on more than a few "first dates" was illuminating not only about how IBD and other autoimmune conditions are perceived by potential partners but also about herself and what she wants to get out of dating, as well as her life goals. Concepts mentioned in this episode:

• What Is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome?: https://www.verywellhealth.com/postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-pots-1746386
• Diagnosing And Treating Dysautonomia: https://www.verywellhealth.com/dysautonomia-diagnosis-and-treatment-1746402

Find Angela Cohen at:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/angelee828
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ange_lee_me/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibdcrohns/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

"About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

Even when you're knowledgeable about IBD, it can still sneak up on you and skew your perception of how much control the disease has over your life. Angelica Catalano, Director of Media Partnerships at The Mighty, describes how ulcerative colitis has affected her since her diagnosis at the age of 6, and how she was living with symptoms on a daily basis. Emergency surgery shook her world, prompting her to make a change in her treatment program to prevent future IBD-related complications. Through her work at The Mighty, Angelica pursues her passion of helping people with chronic illness improve their quality of life by bringing them together with the nonprofits that provide support and resources. IBD topic areas on The Mighty: Crohn's disease: https://themighty.com/topic/crohns-disease/ Ulcerative colitis: https://themighty.com/topic/ulcerative-colitis/ Find The Mighty at:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMightySite/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMightySite
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themightysite/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/themightysite/
• App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-mighty/id1432324582

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibdcrohns/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney/ "About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

What have you done when you couldn't get anyone to take the symptoms of IBD seriously and you found yourself out of options? For Meredith, the road to a Crohn's disease diagnosis was long and so frustrating that she wound up pleading for help from a specialist she'd never met. Going online to connect with other patients also took Meredith to places both light and dark, and she, Jaime, and I sort through our various experiences with social media as well as how we can work towards creating more hopeful content for new IBD patients in the future. Concepts mentioned on this episode: What Are Mast Cells?: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-mast-cells-1944889 What Is Gastroparesis?: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-gastroparesis-1741788 Find Meredith Smolen at:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShearTruth/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mere282/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/been_foiled

Find Jaime Weinstein at:

• Blog: http://prettyrottenguts.tumblr.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaimeEditor
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slightlyjaided/
• YouTube: http://po.st/prKAKf

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney/ "About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

Is it possible to take the diagnosis that turned your world upside down and turn it into a positive force in your life? My guest on About IBD is Lilly Stairs, Head of Patient Advocacy at Clara Health who lives with Crohn's disease did exactly that. First diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, it was only after Lilly's symptoms weren't improving and she was in and out of the hospital that healthcare providers finally discovered a Crohn's disease flare-up in her small bowel. Lilly found the right mix of treatments to get her Crohn's under control and now works with her team at Clara to connect patients to clinical trials. Find Lilly Stairs at

• Blog: https://www.lillystairs.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LillyStairs
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillyrosestairs/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillystairs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lilly.stairs.56

Find Clara Health at:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Clara_Health
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarahealth/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clara-health
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clarahealth
• Patients Have Power Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/patients-have-power/id1321097377?mt=2

"About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

What is your favorite week of the year? For the kids, counselors, and volunteers at Camp Oasis, their favorite is camp week. Learn more about a summer camp that's designed especially for kids who have IBD but is also the place where the campers actually feel the most freedom from their disease. Amber visited camp on visitor's day and talked with campers, leaders in training, and counselors to find out what makes Camp Oasis so special to them.

• Find out more about Camp Oasis: http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/get-involved/camp-oasis/
• Find Camp Oasis locations: http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/get-involved/camp-oasis/find-a-camp/
• Crohn's & Colitis Foundation: http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibdcrohns/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

"About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/