Crohn's & Colitis Unfiltered

🎙️ In episode 30 of the Crohn's & Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Pamela from Latina, Italy, who spent more than a decade experiencing rectal bleeding before finally being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 32. After years of being told she had hemorrhoids, undergoing unnecessary surgery and receiving inadequate treatment, her symptoms became so severe that she was rushing to the bathroom up to 30 times a day, losing weight and struggling to live a normal life.💊 Pamela opens up about the devastating consequences of a delayed IBD diagnosis, losing trust in doctors and eventually finding a gastroenterologist who transformed her care. She shares how she continued working as a teacher during a severe flare, sometimes wearing adult diapers to get through the school day. From prednisone side effects and chronic fatigue to body image struggles and the uncertainty of future treatments, Pamela discusses the physical and emotional toll of living with ulcerative colitis.💜 Today, Pamela is learning to put her health first, set boundaries and rebuild her confidence with the support of her husband, family and therapist. She talks candidly about mental health, fears surrounding motherhood, self-advocacy and the importance of finding the right medical team. For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.com

🎙️ In episode 29 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Mason, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 17 after experiencing severe abdominal pain, significant weight loss and difficulty eating. Already diagnosed with autism at the age of nine, Mason suddenly found himself navigating two very different conditions, with doctors, teachers and even those closest to him sometimes struggling to understand his needs.💊 Mason talks about growing up with autism, the challenges of mainstream education and how his Crohn’s diagnosis changed his confidence and outlook on life. He reflects on a frightening reaction to an infliximab infusion that left him struggling to breathe, his ongoing treatment with Humira, and the difficulties of managing inflammatory bowel disease alongside autism.💜 Today, Mason uses his voice to raise awareness of Crohn’s disease, autism and invisible disabilities through his podcast, advocacy work and social media. He speaks openly about misconceptions, losing friendships, the importance of supportive communities and why better understanding in schools and healthcare is essential.For more stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.comFollow Mason's IBD journey on InstagramListen to Mason's podcast on Spotify

🎙️ In episode 28 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Dana, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at just 15 after developing severe diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting. By the time she saw a gastroenterologist, her iron levels were dangerously low, requiring hospitalization and a blood transfusion before a colonoscopy finally confirmed her diagnosis. 💊 Dana talks about spending the next decade cycling through steroids, immunomodulators and multiple biologics as she battled severe inflammation and strictures. At 26, after years of treatments failing to control her Crohn’s disease, she chose permanent ostomy surgery; a decision that ultimately gave her back much of the life IBD had taken away. 💜 Now living with an ileostomy and finally feeling healthy again, Dana opens up about body image, relationships, ostomy life, diet, surgery fears and learning to accept a permanently changed body. She also shares practical advice for anyone newly diagnosed with IBD and challenges the misconception that Crohn’s disease is simply a “bathroom disease,” showing that surgery doesn’t have to mean the end of your life.For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.com

🎙️ In episode 27 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Maria, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 23 after months of blood in her stool and becoming so sick she could barely stay awake. After initially reaching remission quickly, she stopped her medication while feeling well, unaware of just how serious the consequences could be.💊 Years later, Maria entered a flare that she is still fighting today. After prednisone, mesalamine, multiple biologics and years of treatment failed to bring lasting remission, her doctor recommended surgery. Not ready to take that step, Maria searched for another option and entered a clinical trial using an implanted neurostimulator to explore whether stimulating the brain-gut pathway could help manage her refractory ulcerative colitis.💜 Maria opens up about chronic illness, body image, relationships, healthcare self-advocacy and refusing to give up hope when conventional IBD treatments stop working. Despite hospitalizations, years without remission and uncertainty about what comes next, she has learned to focus on what she can control, ask more questions and keep searching for a path forward.For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.com

🎙️ In episode 26 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Savannah, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at just 16 after severe abdominal cramping, blood in her stool and relentless urgency began disrupting her life. Growing up in rural Tennessee with limited access to specialists, she was bounced between doctors before a colonoscopy at Vanderbilt finally gave her an answer.💊 Savannah talks about navigating ulcerative colitis as a teenager, being bullied as “the girl with the shit disease,” spending months isolated at home and, at her worst, going to the bathroom nearly 40 times a day. After years of treatments including mesalamine, prednisone, 6-MP and multiple biologics, she is now participating in a clinical trial for a new ulcerative colitis medication after previous treatments stopped working or failed to bring lasting remission.💜 Today, Savannah is turning her experience with IBD into purpose, pursuing a doctorate in psychology and openly sharing her chronic illness journey on social media. She talks candidly about body image, mental health, relationships, finding the IBD community and learning that sometimes saying “no” is essential. For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.com

🎙 In episode 25 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Jack, who first started experiencing blood in his stool at just 14 years old. Misdiagnosed two years later, it would take years of pain and symptoms before a colonoscopy finally revealed the truth: Jack was living with ulcerative colitis.🤐 Jack and I talk about spending years hiding his IBD, pushing through painful flares at work, and feeling deeply embarrassed about a disease he struggled to even admit he had. After an 18-month flare brought bleeding, accidents, exhaustion and worsening mental health, he began fighting harder for better treatment and learning to listen to his body instead of constantly pushing through.💪 Today, Jack is determined to break the stigma around men talking about IBD and chronic illness. He opens up about mental health, masculinity, workplace rights, exercise, self-advocacy and his changing fears around potentially needing a stoma.For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.com

🎙️ In episode 24 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Trina, whose years of severe gastrointestinal symptoms eventually led to a life-threatening bowel perforation, emergency surgery, and the removal of 75% of her large intestine. After initially struggling to accept an ileostomy, she spent the next decade trying to avoid another one before ultimately choosing a permanent ostomy and reclaiming her life. 💜 Trina opens up about body image, scars, touch starvation, sex and the fear of feeling undesirable after IBD surgery. Now an intimacy coach, she shares practical strategies for rebuilding confidence and connection, from visualization and positive self-talk to non-sexual touch, communication, and navigating intimacy with an ostomy. You can find Trina at https://www.intimateostomate.com and follow her journey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intimateostomate/For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered,com

🎙️ In episode 23 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Alicia, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at just 14 after years of unexplained stomach pain, bleeding, and symptoms that were repeatedly dismissed. Within months of her diagnosis, her condition became so severe that she lost her colon and woke up from emergency surgery with an ostomy she never had the chance to prepare for.💜 Diagnosed as a teenager and later re-diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, Alicia talks about navigating body image, multiple surgeries, a J-pouch, and the emotional journey of learning to accept a permanent ostomy. She reflects on finding strength through community, rebuilding confidence, and how finally receiving the right treatment transformed her quality of life.👥 Today, Alicia is the acting president of Girls With Guts, one of the largest support communities for women living with IBD and ostomies. Through storytelling, advocacy, and education, she helps thousands of women navigate body image, relationships, motherhood, and life with chronic illness, proving that even the most difficult diagnosis can become a source of purpose and hope.For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.com

🎙️ In episode 22 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Victoria, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 24 after years of brushing off bloating, cramping and changes in her bowel habits. Despite having a brother with Crohn’s, Victoria never imagined she could have the same disease until the pain became so severe she could barely walk.💉 After blood tests revealed high levels of inflammation, a CT scan and colonoscopy finally confirmed Crohn’s disease, along with a nearly connecting fistula in her bowel. Victoria talks about starting Remicade, navigating recurring flares, fatigue and medication side effects, and the complicated reality of relying on a treatment that helps control her Crohn’s while creating other challenges for her body.🧠 Now a mental health counselor and outspoken IBD advocate, Victoria shares how Crohn’s disease has changed her relationship with fitness, friendships, mental health and her own body. Through social media, she challenges dangerous misconceptions about treating IBD without medication and uses her experience to remind others that chronic illness affects far more than just the gut.For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.com

In episode 21 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Harriet, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 22 after years of believing she simply had IBS. With a family history of Crohn’s, blood in her stool led to a colonoscopy, years of uncertainty, and eventually a diagnosis that would completely change her life.After trying multiple medications, developing allergic reactions, losing response to biologics, and struggling through pregnancy with active disease, Harriet reached the point where emergency stoma surgery became the only option. She opens up about living with anxiety, body image, motherhood, and the fear of surgery, before discovering that her stoma gave her back the freedom she’d been missing for years.Today, Harriet is in remission on biologic treatment and has become a passionate advocate for the IBD community. Through her honest and unapologetic social media presence, she challenges misconceptions about Crohn’s disease, surgery, and life with a stoma, proving that sometimes the treatment you fear most can become the reason you get your life back.For more inspiring storied from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.com