ImproveCareNow Talking_about_ibd


Being tube-fed is about finding ways to continue to thrive.

Hello, I am Caroline! I’m 20 years old and live with a feeding tube. Since I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 10, my experience with feeding tubes has taken many forms. What can that look like? There are a variety of types of tubes which include nasal and surgically placed tubes, with many different reasons and uses such as nutrition, hydration, medication, or drainage. For me, the process of learning more about feeding tubes with my providers started when I was 12 years old.


IGNITE - Bringing awareness to Very Early Onset IBD and helping other VEO families

This is Tori's story about her son's Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease (VEO-IBD) diagnosis at just two years old. It's a story of misdiagnoses, frustrating dismissals, and the eventual discovery of a chronic condition that affects a growing number of very young children. More importantly, it's a story of resilience, hope, and the power of community. Enjoy Tori's powerful #IgniteTalk as she recalls the challenges and triumphs of raising a child with VEO-IBD and discovers how this journey has transformed her family and inspired them to advocate for others.

Be inspired by Tori's #IgniteTalk 🔥


IGNITE - This too shall pass.

As a public speaker, it can be challenging to embody positivity while talking about such difficult experiences. Leela struck this balance in her Ignite Talk at our Fall 2024 Community Conference; she led us into the darkest moments of her IBD story and then turned on the light. During her recovery from abdominal surgery, when the stress, fear, and pain was palpable and all she wanted to do was cry but couldn't because "if I did, my stomach would feel like lava," Leela's Mom never gave up on her or left her side. In a pivotal moment involving a 🐞 ladybug, Leela felt her Dad's words "This too shall pass..." spring into her mind. Those comforting words woke her up and she was hit with the realization that this was her defining moment; "a moment in your life that you look back on and it fills you with motivation to keep moving forward - a time in your life where you went...yeah, I did that! 

Be inspired by Leela's #IgniteTalk 🔥


PAC Moment - New patient-developed one-page resources

Patient Advisory Council members have been crowdsourcing their wisdom, tips, and tricks about IBD topics that are timely and important to them. Using their insights, they have been developing brief, helpful one-pagers that are then reviewed by various members of the ICN community such as dietitians and psychosocial providers. Take a PAC Moment to check out new patient-developed resources!


Never Say Never - Changing My Crohn's Treatment

by Autumn

When I received a MyChart message from my GI, suggesting we consider changing my Crohn's treatment, it hit me like a bullet straight to the gut. I wasn't expecting it. I did not have any symptoms of a flare yet, but labs and scope biopsies said otherwise. I received that message while waiting for an appointment, just one minute before my doctor came out to get me.


You are not alone if you have less common IBD symptoms or locations of inflammation

Hi! I am Emma and I want to share the story of my IBD diagnosis because I think it could help others who have less common IBD symptoms and locations of inflammation. It all began when I was a senior in high school. I had this pain in my chest and upper abdomen whenever I ate or drank so I decided to go to the doctor.


IGNITE - It is OK if your illness changes you.

In a matter of days, Caitlyn went from being a full-time student athlete (following her dream of running at a D1 college) to being a full-time patient (diagnosed with IBD and severe visceral hyperalgesia). She went from balancing a rigorous training schedule and school, to managing doctors appointments, meds and nearly constant pain and fatigue. In the midst of this, she turned 21 and was pushed to find an adult care provider who would take her complicated case. She wanted someone to fight for her, who took time to understand how her illness was affecting her life and mental health, who recognized how hard she was fighting and who would support and advocate for her. In time, she found those people. With new treatments, her health began to turn around and she was able to return to school. However, her collegiate running career had come to an end. "I found myself grieving for my past life. For a body that I no longer had."

Once known affectionately as the "runner girl," who was Caitlyn without running? It turns out she is many things! Read her story to find out.

Be inspired by Caitlyn's #IgniteTalk 🔥



Olivia's journey with the SCD + some of her favorite recipes

Recently, the team at UVM Children's Hospital noticed that food and diet regularly came up during their monthly UVM Pediatric IBD Advisory meetings. Members discussed their personal experiences and learned from each other about how some respond differently to the same foods, how to be aware of food triggers, and what go-to comfort foods people enjoyed while flaring. Recognizing the power of learning from each other and wanting to reach more members of their IBD community, the team asked Olivia if she would share her story about using the Specific Carbohydrate Diet to help manage her IBD symptoms.

Get #InTheLOOP with Olivia's story 💚💙


PAC Moment - Acing Injections!

Injections are a common way to receive medication for IBD patients. It can be a nerve-wracking experience, so PAC experts have compiled a list of tips and tricks - for patients, by patients - that can help make your injections go as smoothly as possible!


ICN Research Explained: Physicians’ Explanatory Models of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Qualitative Interview Study

This study characterized the explanatory models used by pediatric gastroenterologists when explaining inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to children.


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