Clinical Cases

Welcome to today’s episode of our podcast, where we’re joined by Olivia Madden, a therapist, who shares how the constant anxiety of living with an unpredictable stoma affected almost every aspect of her life—and how adopting the low FODMAP diet has been, in her words, “like a miracle.”

In this honest and deeply personal conversation, Olivia shares what day-to-day life was really like before finding an approach that worked for her—from navigating work and social situations to the emotional toll of never knowing how her body would respond. We explore how unpredictable stoma output can affect confidence, independence, and mental wellbeing, and why this is so often overlooked.

Olivia talks us through how she discovered the low FODMAP diet, what the process involved in practice, and the changes she began to notice—not just physically, but psychologically. She reflects on the sense of control she regained, the reduction in anxiety, and how this has allowed her to re-engage with life in a way that previously felt impossible.

We also discuss the importance of doing the low FODMAP diet correctly and with appropriate support, highlighting that while it can be transformative for some, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

This episode offers both professional insight and lived experience—providing hope, reassurance, and practical understanding for anyone living with a stoma or struggling with unpredictable gut symptoms.

Further information can be found at the excellent charity, Colostomy UK and their website is: www.colostomyuk.org.  More information is available in the Spring 2026 edition of their magazine, Tidings.

Please note: This podcast is supported by Colostomy UK. It provides general information and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice

Welcome to today's episode of our podcast, where we will be talking about Pollen Food Syndrome, the most common form of allergy in adults. Our guest, Osteopath, Rob Williams, will be sharing his personal experience with this condition, which he suddenly developed in his late twenties. Rob will discuss his panic when he first experienced the symptoms and how it affected his daily life.

Joining us today are two experts in the field, allergy specialist Dr Michael Radcliffe and allergy dietitian, Rosemary Seddon. They will help Rob and our listeners understand the science behind pollen food syndrome and how it differs from other allergies.

Throughout the episode, they will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this little understood condition. Dr Radcliffe will explain how pollen food syndrome is related to seasonal allergies and how it can affect individuals differently. Meanwhile, Rosemary Seddon will share tips on how to manage the condition through diet and how to identify potential triggers.

Together, they will unpick Rob's case, providing insights and solutions that can help other listeners who may be experiencing pollen food syndrome, or for healthcare professionals who may be treating patients with similar symptoms. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to learn more about this common allergy and how to manage it effectively.

Find more information on Pollen Food Syndrome at these links:

BSACI Leaflet for GPs: https://www.bsaci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pollen-Food-Syndrome-leaflet-for-GPs_Aug2022.pdf

BSACI Summary of Guidelines for Diagnosis & Management of Pollen Food Syndrome/Oral Allergy Syndrome: https://www.bsaci.org/guidelines/bsaci-guidelines/diagnosis-and-management-of-pollen-food-syndrome-oral-allergy-syndrome/

British Dietetic Association Fact Sheet on Pollen Food Syndrome: https://www.bda.uk.com/resourceDetail/printPdf/?resource=food-facts-pollen-food-syndrome

Allergy UK information on Pollen Food Syndrome: https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/oral-allergy-syndrome-pollen-food-syndrome-factsheet/

If you are a healthcare professional wishing to study allergy in more detail please contact Southampton Medical School for details on their MSc in Allergy: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/allergy-masters-msc

When Tanya Wright went to university, she started to suffer with severe eczema all over her body.  The eczema was so severe that she was hospitalised on a number of occasions in St Thomas's hospital in London for weeks at a time.  Desperate to find a solution she started to remove foods from her diet at the age of 21 years old, only to find that her allergies took a nasty turn as she then went on to develop severe life threatening anaphylaxis.  In this podcast she talks honestly about what she might have done  differently if she'd had better knowledge.  Her episode highlights how we desperately need more research in this area and how as healthcare professionals we need to be careful in advising elimination diets in patients who already have an atopic/allergic background...  Tanya went on to train as a dietitian and is now one of the top allergy dietitians in the UK.  

Marianne Williams interviewed Dr Charlie Andrews who is a GP working in Bristol in the UK. He has suffered with Ulcerative Colitis since his teenage years and talks opening about his journey with this condition. He takes you through his diagnosis and the up and downs of treatment and eventually surgery and tells us candidly about the mistakes he made. His experiences are inspirational and this podcast leaves you with hope and optimism for what is a challenging and difficult life-long illness. Charlie is South West IBD champion for The Royal College of General Practitioners and Crohn’s & Colitis UK

Stories told by the patient:  This is an honest and candid account of how one man suffered severe gut symptoms from childhood and only found a solution in middle age with a strict gluten free diet.  Tests did not support a diagnosis of coeliac disease, but symptoms and family history point strongly to this condition... an excellent podcast for healthcare professionals and patients. Access patientwebinars.co.uk for more information on Coeliac Disease and downloadable information from NHS specialists or visit the UK coeliac disease charity website www.coeliac.org.uk.