5 faqs about ibd

5 FAQs About IBD There are many misconceptions about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It’s on all of us to educate the world that these are more than just a bathroom disease. It impacts us in countless ways and none of them should be minimized.

Both Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis are unpredictable diseases, meaning there is a likelihood that they will get worse over time. This is why I think it’s important to treat IBD early and with effective treatment.

It is not only about the treatment plan you make with your physician, but it’s also about your own effort to complement it. There will be hurdles along the way and it will not be easy, but you do have the power to take additional steps that can help you along the way.

The easy thing to do is hope that things will get better and to lean on one thing that might help. It was hard for me to hear, but a fellow IBD friend told me I can’t just hope one medication will help and that I need to also consider making larger lifestyle changes to get better results. This is when I was able to start to take control again. This is when IBD no longer defined me.

You will not do this alone. I have always said that living with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis is a team sport. There will be loved ones and medical professionals that help you along the way. I did not go from bedridden to IRONMAN by myself. I had people by my side, helping me in countless ways, and while I might have been the one that crossed the finish line, in my mind my entire team crossed it together.

Your IBD journey will take time to figure out. It is a complicated disease with many moving parts. This is not a sprint; it is a marathon. So, take your time to figure out what is best for you with your medical professionals and loved ones. In the long run, you will be happy that you did.

Thanks to AbbVie for sponsoring this video.