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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

“It’s not your fault. [Fistulas are] a very unfortunate complication, and incredibly isolating.” —Alicia Aiello (President, Girls With Guts) You didn't make yourself sick, & you don't have to carry it alone. 💜 🎧 Get this episode of About IBD Podcast: bit.ly/AIBD207 #IBD #Crohns #GirlsWithGuts

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

"I said, 'I'm done.'" ⌛ People with #IBD deserve to be heard and to receive compassionate care. In Episode 207 of #AboutIBDPodcast, Alicia Aiello, president of Girls With Guts, shares why she fired a surgeon and how to advocate for yourself with #IBD. #Fistula Listen or watch: bit.ly/AIBD207

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Moving forward with a dynamic illness means defining your capacity. That sucks, but it can also open up opportunities. Listen to this episode of #AboutIBDPodcast with Andrew Giffen & learn about his anonymous peer-support app, Brown Note, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or at: bit.ly/AIBD204! 🎧

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

What if you had an anonymous place to send and receive nuggets of support about #IBD? 📛 It's called Brown Note, and it exists! Learn more about Brown Note on episode 204 of About IBD Podcast, in all podcast apps, on the YouTube for the video, or at bit.ly/AIBD204.%E2%...

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

🗻 Let's not lose sight of dreams. Let's figure out how to make them realities. On Ep 203 of #AboutIBDPodcast, we talk about travel with IBD or other chronic conditions. We have to do it differently, which sucks. But we can do it! Catch it in any podcast app, on the YouTube, or bit.ly/AIBD203! 🌟

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

🗺️ How can we travel with #IBD? Like so many things, it doesn't mean giving up. But it does mean doing it differently. Sarah McGovern, certified travel advisor of Halcyon Travel, teaches us how on Episode 203 of #AboutIBDPodcast. Get it in any podcatcher, on the YouTube, or at bit.ly/AIBD203!

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

🎧 Get Episode 202 of the About IBD Podcast to hear our full, unfiltered conversation on navigating corporate barriers and workplace stigma. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or at my website: bit.ly/AIBD202

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

📌 5. Expand Your Definition of Support Remember that community isn't only patients. Your personal "IBD Social Circle" includes the friends, family members, and partners who hold spaces of care for you.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

📌 4. Define Your Boundaries Partners, friends, and other connections should understand the unpredictable nature of IBD and respect your needs in prioritizing your health.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

📌 3. Be Open to Connecting Reach out to an advocate or a fellow patient whose story resonates. Most advocates are eager to help, share insights, or connect you to someone with similar experiences.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

📌 2. Lean into Inclusive Spaces Engage with low-pressure entry points such as the IBD Social Circle, which brings together patient advocates, healthcare professionals, and care partners.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

📌 1. Build Your Community Connecting with others who truly understand your experience can significantly improve your mental health and help you feel less alone as you navigate challenges

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

🧑🏽‍💻 You are not inconsistent. Your IBD is. In episode 202 of About IBD, Katie Neu and I discuss professional challenges and data from the recent IBD Social Circle survey, which show how many patients feel unsupported. We came up with 5 ideas to consider in building a community:

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

😶‍🌫️ Did you know that in one survey, 84% of adults with IBD said they feel stigma in their lives? I sat down with Katie Neu (Badass With a Bad Ass) to talk about how IBD affects relationships and mental health. 🎧 Get it on Ep 202 of About IBD, in podcast apps, YouTube, or my website: bit.ly/AIBD202

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

🪤 We have tied human value to productivity. Add in a chronic illness like #IBD, and it becomes a setup for failure. Bari Gratton joins #AboutIBDPodcast to talk about breaking free from the "push through" trap. 🎧 Stream Ep 201 on your favorite #podcast app, YouTube, or at my website: bit.ly/AIBD201

"We have associated people's value with the level of productivity they have in society. Add in somebody with a chronic illness, and we have set everyone up for failure." —Bari Gratton

After a devastating Crohn’s flare led to three surgeries and a temporary ostomy, marketing executive Barrie Gratton traded the high-stress world of New York City for the healing path of yoga therapy in California. In this episode, Barrie joins Amber Tresca to discuss the "Five Layers of Being," the toxic myth of "pushing through," and how she is building a community for the next generation of IBD patients through Girls with Guts and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

In the meantime, I pack a lot about Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and your eyes into 1 episode of About IBD! Get it on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and at my website: bit.ly/AIBD200

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

🙄 Yes. Even your eyes. On Ep 200 of #AboutIBDPodcast, I go over some eye problems connected to IBD. They range from annoying to potentially sight-destroying. It's good to be aware, but remember everyone has a different risk level. Ask your healthcare providers to put your situation into context.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Did you know #IBD can attack your vision? #Crohns & #UlcerativeColitis are immune-mediated, which means inflammation doesn't always stay in the gut. Even in remission, it can attack other parts of the body. I break down 3 eye conditions on #AboutIBDPodcast episode 200! Get it here: bit.ly/AIBD200

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

"Toughing it out" can be common in endurance sports, but it almost cost T.L. Wright her life. After years of undiagnosed Crohn's, she had to completely pivot her diet and athletic goals to heal. Hear to her journey on the latest #AboutIBDPodcast: bit.ly/AIBD199 #CrohnsDisease #IBD #SCDDiet

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

🎧 Catch the full interview on YouTube, any podcast player, and at my website AboutIBD.com. (short link: bit.ly/AIBD198)

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

5️⃣ Recognize Your Lived Experience You are the expert on your body and your disease journey. Look for opportunities to participate in patient advisory committees to help scientists ask the right questions! #Patients

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

4️⃣ Address Your Needs Expressing worries can feel intimidating, but coming to appointments with data helps replace fear with confidence and encourages true shared decision-making. #Pregnancy

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

3️⃣ Define Your Goals Define what a good quality of life looks like for you (or your child) and make that goal the focal point of your treatment plan. #Asthma

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

2️⃣ Prioritizing Your Health It is natural to worry about how biologics may affect a baby. However, keeping mom's inflammation controlled is one of the best ways to protect a baby. #Arthritis

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

1️⃣ Start the Conversation Early Ask your healthcare team about medication safety before considering a pregnancy. Early conversations give time to build a safe, evidence-based plan without feeling rushed. #IBD

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

🎯 What are your goals? Remission isn't the only one. I sat with Drs Sonia Grandi and Cristina Longo to discuss the BIONIC Study on #AboutIBDPodcast, which uses data to learn how immune-mediated conditions affect pregnancy & babies. We have 5 tips for navigating health conditions & family planning.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

You’re more than a diagnosis. You’re an expert. 🧬 In #AboutIBDPodcast Ep 198, Dr. Longo explains how the BIONIC Study is using data to keep mothers in remission & babies safe—by listening to experts: YOU. 👩🏼‍🍼✅ 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or AboutIBD.com: bit.ly/AIBD198 #IBD #MaternalHealth

"Patients are the experts in their own disease trajectory, the healthcare system, and the challenges that they face. This is an expertise that most, if not all, research projects need." — Dr. Cristina Longo

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

"What do I do now?" 🤰🏾 IBD pregnancy planning brings up questions because trials exclude pregnant people. Dr. Sonia Grandi’s team is using data to give patients the confidence to stay in remission while keeping babies safe. 🚼 Get the whole story on Ep 198 of About IBD: bit.ly/AIBD198 #IBD #Science

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Learn more about how you can use AI to work for you and possibly make your life a little easier on About IBD Podcast episode 196. In your podcast app, on the YouTube, or at AboutIBD.com. bit.ly/AIBD196

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

5. Be Skeptical and Check Sources AI can give outdated or incorrect information. Always check where the information is coming from, and consult with your healthcare team before making changes to your care.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

4. Understanding Medical Terms When test results are confusing, AI can define terms or explain concepts. Always double-check with your healthcare provider before making any changes or decisions.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

3. Tracking Symptoms and Diet An AI-powered app can track symptoms and diet. Ensure the tool is reputable, respects privacy, and doesn’t recommend non-evidence-based information.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

2. Drafting Questions Use AI to brainstorm and organize questions to ask healthcare providers, so you can make the most of your appointment time.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

1. Organize Information Patients might use AI tools to keep track of appointments, medications, and test results, ensuring everything is organized for the next appointment.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

🤖 Everyone likes to use AI to make cartoons. But there are ways that AI can actually help you with your health! Here are 5 Tips to Safely Use AI to Manage Your Health Information from About IBD Podcast episode 196.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

😒 Have you heard of artificial intelligence (AI) "hallucinations"? It says what you want to hear rather than the truth. ✅ Learn more about AI & how it could benefit patients on About IBD, especially if you aren't using AI. Get About IBD Ep 196 in your podcast app, on YouTube, or at bit.ly/AIBD196

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Should we use AI to manage #IBD? The answer: Maybe. For #AboutIBDPodcast, I asked my husband, Mike, to explain how AI works, how to use it responsibly, and where it may not be ready for prime time. Get Episode 196 in your podcast app, on YouTube, or on my website: bit.ly/AIBD196

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

🚦Pressure and expectations get in the way of connection and pleasure for people living w/ #IBD. Intimacy is about communication, closeness, and finding what works for you & your partner. Learn more on About IBD Podcast Ep 195 w/intimacy coach @drstacyfriedman.bsky.social at: bit.ly/AIBD195

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

🪞Body image issues are common in #IBD. Symptoms change our bodies & stigma doesn’t help with dating and intimacy. On #AboutIBDPodcast Ep 195, sex coach Dr Stacy Friedman shares how to build a better relationship with your body & your partner. Listen, watch, or read on my website: bit.ly/AIBD195

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

💟 63% of women, 34% of men & 75% of LGBTQ+ people with IBD struggle w/ intimacy. If you are dissatisfied with your intimate life, please know help is available! Learn from #intimacy coach @drstacyfriedman.bsky.social how you can bring sexy back on #AboutIBDPodcast ep. 195: bit.ly/AIBD195

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

💭 I’m inspired by the idea of leaving people better than we find them. On Episode 193 of #AboutIBDPodcast, Lisa Zawrotny of Positively Productive Systems shares her philosophy: improve the things and people she touches. Find this episode in any podcast app, on the YouTubes, or here: bit.ly/AIBD193

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

🌟 She makes a good point! We're not talking about denying reality. It's about going into a situation with optimism. Because the truth is that most of the things we worry about never happen. 🧠 Kinsey explains it best on episode 191 of About IBD: bit.ly/AIBD191

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

⚡Katryna, my guest for About IBD Podcast Ep 190, points out how life with #IBD is distracting. After #colectomy with #ileostomy placement, she was more present in her relationships. Get the whole episode (audio, video, transcript) with more wisdom (plus some laughs) on my website: bit.ly/AIBD190

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

🍾 #IBD shows up even on our biggest days. In Episode 190 of #AboutIBDPodcast, Katryna Loewen shares how she navigated #UlcerativeColitis, flare-ups, a colectomy, and an ileostomy during major life milestones. Her courage, creativity, and community spirit shine through. Get it here: bit.ly/AIBD190

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

See episode 189 of #AboutIBDPodcast to get more perspective on this topic and how the #gastroparesis and #IBD communities can support one another. In your podcast app, on YouTube, or use my episode homepage for easy access to everything here: bit.ly/AIBD189

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

5. Find Community Support Support groups, both online and in-person, can help you feel less isolated and give you resources, tips, and a social connection with people who understand your experience.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

4. Don’t Compare to Others People with gastroparesis or IBD have individual journeys, so comparing symptoms, treatments, or eating plans with others can lead to frustration.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

3. Prioritize Quality of Life It’s okay to advocate for symptom management, like treating nausea, even without a diagnosis. Medications, lifestyle support, or nutritional advice can make a big difference in symptoms.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

2. Recognizing Overlapping Symptoms Gastroparesis, other motility disorders, and IBD have similar symptoms. If your symptoms aren’t explained by your diagnosis, talk to your team about other potential causes.

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Amber - About IBD @aboutibd.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

1. Advocating for Yourself If you’re not being heard, seek another opinion. You deserve to be taken seriously and to find providers who listens to your concerns.

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