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People with IBD and other chronic conditions have questions about receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. Rosanne Mottola works at a hospital and was therefore eligible to receive a vaccination through her employer. Rosanne gives her experiences and takeaways as a "mild to moderate" ulcerative colitis patient and how she made the decision to receive the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. She offers some great advice about how the internet may skew our perception of what IBD life is like, and because of her background, she's a wonderful resource for people living with IBD. Concepts discussed on this episode: An Overview of C. Diff Can Immunocompromised People Safely Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine? An Overview of Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine Find Rosanne Mottola on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

Did an IBD diagnosis change the direction of your life? For Danielle Golden and Joe Teeters, being diagnosed as a young adult had a profound influence on their lives. The plans they had for their lives were derailed, but they only met, formed a strong friendship, and founded Double Baggin' It because of their IBD. Learn more about their disease journeys, how they met, and how they use humor to raise awareness of IBD and ostomy life both inside and outside the IBD community. Further Reading: Pre-Existing Condition—What It Is & Why It’s a Big Deal Dependent Coverage for Young Adults Proctectomy Surgery for Inflammatory Bowel Disease How to Prepare Yourself for Ileostomy Surgery Leading Charities and Organizations for Ostomy Surgery Find Double Baggin' It at Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

What does it mean to act with intention? The pandemic altered the course of our year and divorced us from our intentions. However, there were learnings that we can build on to create a better, more inclusive, and informed IBD community. In this mini-episode, I share my thoughts on how the year affected me and how I plan to move forward in 2021 by getting back to my intentions. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have had many questions. Now that vaccines against the virus are becoming available, people living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis need even more information in order to make decisions. I asked Dr David Rubin, Chief of the Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition and the Co-Director of the Digestive Diseases Center at The University of Chicago Medicine to answer some of these initial questions about the first COVID-19 vaccines (manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna). Topics discussed on this episode include: How vaccines work How mRNA works How IBD medications affect the immune system IBD medications and their potential effect on COVID-19 vaccination When we'll have more information about COVID-19 vaccines and IBD Why side effects with vaccines are expected and what they mean Key Quotes: The first thing is to remember that inflammatory bowel disease itself is a condition where in almost all situations, the immune system is overactive. So having Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis is not a situation where you're immune deficient. So IBD patients in all the analyses during COVID have not actually been found to be at increased risk for getting infected, or at increased risk for developing COVID as having just because they have Crohn's or colitis or have an ostomy or have a j pouch. The messenger RNA is degraded within a couple days it's out of your system doesn't hang around. It doesn't ever enter the nucleus of cells, it doesn't become a permanent part of your genetic material in your body. And therefore that's why it is thought to be extremely safe. But I want to make it clear to everyone that they didn't just decide to do this in February, March. This was something that actually was in development, it just got pushed through because of the critical nature of the pandemic. ... there are no data to say that vaccination triggers IBD. And it's been looked at carefully in many studies. And there's no data to show that getting a vaccine triggers a relapse of your IBD. And the newer vaccines that we're talking about here, will not do that either. ...we don't know for sure yet is whether you'll have impaired ability to mount a protective immunity at the same level as if you weren't on therapy. But that doesn't mean you won't develop any immunity. And in fact, it's possible that you'll develop the same immunities to general population because the messenger RNA vaccine is a completely new mechanism. Dr Rubin's Tweets and Tweetorials: "I've created a thread that summarizes the statements from the #IOIBD global expert panel about management of #IBD during #COVID19." https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1247526583985823749.html "Here are my thoughts and a few updates about #SARSCoV2 vaccines, and also about implications for our #IBD patients. A tweetorial in 20 parts." https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1333972549848469508.html "Terrific @US_FDA presser this morning. The agency has its origins in SAFETY and then EFFICACY became part of their regulatory pathway. Both Director Hahn @SteveFDA and career scientist Dr. Peter Marks @FDACBER used the language "safety and efficacy" (in that order). IMPORTANT." https://twitter.com/IBDMD/status/1337771896721563655 Further Reading: Understanding How Vaccines Work How mRNA Vaccines Work Understanding and Explaining mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines How the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Works (NYT: Paywall) GI Physicians Urge COVID-19 Vaccines for All IBD Patients COVID-19 Vaccines: What IBD Patients & Caregivers Need to Know Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine: What to Know If You’re Immunocompromised Expect Mild Side Effects From COVID-19 Vaccines, CDC Advisory Group Says Doctors for America COVID Vaccine FAQ Toolkit Scholarly Publications: Winter is coming! Clinical, immunological, and practical considerations for vaccinating patients with IBD during the COVID pandemic COVID-19 vaccinations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease Safety and immunogenicity of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: a preliminary report of a phase 1/2, single-blind, randomised controlled trial Find David T. Rubin, MD at The University of Chicago Medicine, Twitter, Rubin Lab, Rubin's Reflections (Blog), and Cornerstones Health. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

For many of us who live with a form of IBD, being a performer seems like it would be impossible. Some of the problems include needing a job that provides health insurance, the stress of auditions, and being healthy enough to perform onstage. Justin Baker, however, has found a way to make it work for him as he lives with Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis (a form of degenerative arthritis that's associated with IBD). Justin is an actor, a photographer, and a clown. He tells me how he manages stress, how empathy informs his work and his life, and how not having health insurance led to emergency surgery for his Crohn's disease. Concepts discussed in this episode: Ankylosing Spondylitis "Find the Pony" Camp Esperanza Find Justin Baker, actor, on Acts4Food, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Find Justin Baker, photographer, on Photo-Baker.com and Instagram. Find "You Don't Look Sick: A Documentary Series," on Facebook and Instagram. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week is full of events that aim to raise funds and understanding of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). One of these is Gaming4Guts, a gaming marathon to raise funds for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. Participants stream over Twitch during the 72-hour event but they have also formed a community, keeping in contact year-round on the Gaming4Guts Discord server. Kenzie, John, and Mark from Gaming4Guts sat down with me to talk about their personal connections to IBD, the evolution of Gaming4Guts, and what their goals are this year. Donate to Gaming4Guts on Tiltify. Concepts discussed in this episode: Indeterminate Colitis Pott Puffy Tumor Exclusive Enteral Nutrition (EEN) Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Find Gaming4Guts on Twitch, Discord, Facebook, and Twitter. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

After hearing from my 10-year-old daughter, it’s now time to hear from my 13-year-old son. My kids are in hybrid school, and for my 8th grader, this means he goes to school in person  two full days a week, with 3 days of distance learning at home. We are managing it as well as I think we can expect. However, my son brings up a small wrinkle in regards to the "return to normal" to which we are all looking forward. It is going to be challenging for us to go back to our prior pace and there will be new struggles along the way. Be sure to listen to the end to hear my son’s tips for parents on how to talk to their kids. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Find IBDMoms on IBDMoms.org, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

How often do you check in with your friends and family about how they're doing during the pandemic? Families have had to make difficult choices regarding school, playdates, and extracurricular activities. We are all concerned about how our kids are faring during the pandemic. But are we asking them about their worries and concerns as often as we should? Amber sits down with her 10-year-old daughter to talk about hybrid school, concerns about getting sick with COVID, what kids are missing right now, and what they want to do when the pandemic is over. Concepts discussed in this episode: 7 Random Acts of Kindness for Kids The Benefits of Altruism for Stress Management How to Practice Gratitude This Thanksgiving Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Find IBDMoms on IBDMoms.org, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

Do you worry that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) will get in the way of finding a romantic partner? Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can make dating challenging but they can also simplify it. It becomes clear pretty quickly if a potential partner is going to struggle to cope with chronic illness. This episode focuses on communication, as Amber and her husband, Mike, discuss how he reacted to his first introduction to ulcerative colitis and why it's important to check in with your partner before discussing IBD outside of the relationship. After more than 20 years, they finally put an incident of miscommunication to bed, and Mike gives his tips on being a supportive partner. Concepts discussed in this episode: Advice for Partners of People With IBD How to Create Your IBD Elevator Speech The Differences Between an Ileostomy and a J-Pouch How to Prepare Yourself for Ileostomy Surgery Overview of J-Pouch Surgery What You Can Say to Your Friend With IBD Pregnancy and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Living With Prednisone Find Michael Tresca on Facebook, Twitter, and Patreon. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Find IBDMoms on IBDMoms.org, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects more than the digestive system. Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can also affect the eyes, joints, and skin. Jordan Ditty was diagnosed with IBD as a child, though her diagnosis floated between Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis and she had j-pouch surgery due to a colonic perforation. Recently, she had her j-pouch removed and a permanent ileostomy placed. Surgery gave her with a better quality of life but also a new diagnosis of a skin condition related to IBD, called pyoderma gangrenosum. Learn how Jordan remains hopeful through her long journey with IBD and a host of complications. Concepts discussed in this episode: The Differences Between an Ileostomy and a J-Pouch Fistula Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis How to Prepare Yourself for Ileostomy Surgery Mouth Ulcers (Aphthous Stomatitis) Overview of J-Pouch Surgery Pouchitis After IPAA (J-Pouch) Surgery Proctectomy Surgery for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (“Barbie” butt or “Ken” butt surgery) Pyoderma Gangrenosum as a Potential Complication of IBD Find Jordan Ditty on Instagram. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

I'm taking some time off from producing new episodes of About IBD. But I don't want to leave you without great Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis content for your ears. That’s why I’m sharing another podcast with you, called PSC Mami. PSC stands for primary sclerosing cholangitis, and it’s a liver condition that is related to IBD, and ulcerative colitis in particular. PSC Mami brings you stories at the intersection of PSC and parenthood. You can find PSC Mami in any podcast app as well as on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The host of PSC Mami is Monika Aldarondo, who talks to parents about their perspective on life with IBD and PSC. Subscribe to PSC Mami in your favorite podcast app, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Soundcloud. Find PSC Mami on her web site, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design for About IBD is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party," is from ©Cooney Studio.

I'm taking some time off from producing new episodes of About IBD. But I don't want to leave you without great Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis content for your ears. That's why I'm sharing a new IBD podcast with you, called Crohn's Veteran. You can find Crohn's Veteran in any podcast app as well as on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. The Crohn's Veteran hosts are Jordan McConnell, CJ Cabrera, and Renika Wood, who give their perspective on life with IBD and interview guests from the IBD community. Subscribe to Crohn's Veteran in your favorite podcast app, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Anchor. Find Crohn's Veteran on their blog, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Twitch, and their merch store. Find the Crohn's Veteran hosts on their personal Instagram accounts: Jordan McConnell, CJ Cabrera, and Renika Wood. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design for About IBD is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

Kids with chronic illness face special issues when going back to school because they’re at risk of their accommodations becoming eroded. In particular, children who live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, might be in danger of not being granted appropriate bathroom access. I speak with Dr Brad Jerson, a Pediatric Psychologist in the Division of Digestive Diseases, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Connecticut Children’s and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. We discuss the worrying behaviors that parents should watch out for in their kids and how we can help kids who feel scared to go back to school. Episode transcript: https://bit.ly/AIBD78 Concepts discussed in this episode: How to Practice Active Listening How Is Your Child Coping With COVID-19? Here’s What to Look For Managing Family Stress During COVID-19 Template Section 504 Plan for Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease IBD Patient Advocacy Organizations Connecting to Cure Crohn's and Colitis Crohn's and Colitis Australia Crohn’s and Colitis Canada Crohn's and Colitis New Zealand Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation The European Federation of Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis Associations Girls With Guts IBDMoms (Amber is a co-founder) IBD Apps Gali Health (Affiliate Link) The Mighty Healthline IBD (Includes Podcasts Hosted By Amber) Find Dr Brad Jerson on Twitter and at Connecticut Children’s. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

Back to school will be quite different for families across the United States and the world this year. There aren’t many answers to be had to our questions, yet we must make decisions with the best information that we have at this time. I speak with Dr Brad Jerson, a Pediatric Psychologist in the Division of Digestive Diseases, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Connecticut Children’s and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine about how we can prepare our kids, and ourselves, for the school year. We discuss the behaviors we can model for our children, how we can talk to young kids about mask wearing, and how to engage kids of all ages in conversation about their fears and anxieties during this time. Concepts discussed in this episode: A Checklist to Help Parents Decide: Send Kids Back to School or Keep Them Home During COVID-19? Is It Safe to Send Your Child Back to School During COVID-19? Advice From Connecticut Children’s Physician-in-Chief Ask a Pediatrician: Is It a Good Idea for My Child With Asthma to Go Back to School or Day Care During COVID-19? 7 Ways to Introduce Your Child to Wearing a Mask Coronavirus and IBD Reporting Database Find Dr Brad Jerson on Twitter and at Connecticut Children’s. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

While everyone who lives with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, has their own story, there are major themes. Finding someone whose story is similar to yours is both validating and empowering. This is why Amber Tresca, who lives with ulcerative colitis and a j-pouch, developed the About IBD Podcast.   IBD is not only isolating but it also affects every aspect of the lives of those who live with these diseases. It touches relationships, finances, and careers. On About IBD, Amber talks to caregivers and people living with IBD to get their stories so that they can share what they’ve learned from their journey.   She also talks to healthcare providers and other experts to get their perspective on a wide variety of topics including research about IBD, improving relationships with physicians, becoming a critical thinker, and how to get involved with healthcare activism. Amber wants to give people touched by IBD the information they need to live a better life, as well as feel less alone while navigating the ups and downs of the patient journey.   Subscribe to About IBD on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.   Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.   Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

What’s in your microbiome and how does it interact with your IBD? The bacteria that’s in the gut of someone that lives with IBD is different from the bacteria in the the gut of someone that doesn’t have IBD. This is a major area of study because it may help researchers not only in developing new treatments but also in better understanding IBD. That’s why I asked Arielle Radin, Director of Clinical Research for Gali Health, to talk to me about the Footprints Program. The Footprints Program is an ambitious research project that is going to sequence poop and saliva from IBD patients. It’s being used in conjunction with the Gali Health app, which is made especially for IBD patients to track their symptoms and connect with other people who live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Participants in the Footprints Program will get access to some information about their microbiome. They can then look at the changes over time and see if there are any trends with the symptoms that are kept in the Gali app. It sounds pretty amazing, which is why I signed up for the program. Arielle Radin, who answers my questions about Gali Health and the Footprints Program, and on a personal note, tells us about getting married during the pandemic. Concepts discussed in this episode: Research Studies & Clinical Trials in IBD Roundtable The Footprints Program Download the Gali App (affiliate link) Find Gali Health at GaliHealth.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

The Sherman Prize is an award created by Bruce and Cynthia Sherman to recognize those who are making great contributions to the field of research and care in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Sherman family has been touched by IBD and their goal is to create a ripple effect that spreads awareness, fosters innovation, and provides inspiration in the hope that in the future, other families won’t have to contend with IBD in the way that theirs has. Dr Dermot McGovern, Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles and the 2020 Committee Chair for The Sherman Prize talks more about the value of the Prize to the IBD community, who can make a nomination, and how to nominate a great candidate. He also talks about his research on the genetics of IBD and why it might help in leading to new treatments. Make your nominations for the 2020 Sherman Prize 2020 by July 17th! You can learn more and do so at ShermanPrize.org. Find The Sherman Prize at ShermanPrize.org, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Find Dermot P. B. McGovern, MD, PhD, FRCP at Cedars-Sinai and Twitter. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

Being diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) can upend your entire life. Then being diagnosed with a rare liver disease? It could truly leave you feeling hopeless. But that’s not what happened to Jenna Ziegler of The Comical Colon. Not long after her ulcerative colitis diagnosis, her doctor was concerned about her liver test levels. With more testing and a lot of patient empowerment, Jenna now has a presumed diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis, or PSC. She tells how she has fought to get the tests she needed to understand her level of risk, and the treatment that can help prevent PSC from progressing and causing more damage to her liver. Concepts discussed in this episode: Clostridium difficile Infection Liver Function Tests IBD and Liver Disease IBD and PSC Biopsy Fibroscan Cirrhosis Enteropathic Arthritis Jenna’s Liver Biopsy Series Learn about Gali Health and download the app (affiliate link). Find Jenna Ziegler at TheComicalColon.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

Do you have a sense of humor about your IBD? Jenna Ziegler of The Comical Colon found that keeping her sense of humor has helped her through the challenges she faced after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in college. After fighting her way back to health after severe flare-ups and carving out the life she wanted for herself, Jenna received another stunning diagnosis: a rare liver condition called primary sclerosing cholangitis, or PSC. Over the years she has done the hard work to learn how to be an empowered patient and she shares her 5 tips on how you can learn to advocate for yourself. Concepts discussed in this episode: Pancolitis Helicobacter pylori IBD and Liver Disease IBD and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) Learn about Gali Health and download the app (affiliate link). Find Jenna Ziegler at TheComicalColon.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney. "IBD Dance Party" ©Cooney Studio.

What has been your experience with ostomy surgery? If you know someone who lives with an ileostomy or a colostomy, you'll likely get your impression about having a stoma from them. But what if that person struggles to accept their stoma? When Amber Wallace Ogle of The Ostomy Diaries was faced with ileostomy surgery to treat her Crohn's disease, she was reminded of the negative experiences of her family members who lived with an ostomy. However, it didn't take long after her surgery before she was embracing life again and working to show others that life with an ostomy can be fulfilling and beautiful. Amber tells her Crohn's disease story, gives 5 tips for advocating online, and shares a message she received from a family that has been touched by her advocacy. Concepts discussed in this episode: Clostridium difficile Colectomy Proctectomy Find Amber Wallace Ogle at OstomyDiaries,com, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney. "IBD Dance Party" ©Cooney Studio.