WANT THE TEA?ASK ME ANYTHING.
You will remain anonymous, and I’ll post my responses to your questions on a rolling basis. Feel free to ask more than one question, but please submit each question separately. Oh, and please be respectful. This is a safe space. <3
HERE’S THE TEA:
(aka my answers to your most recent questions)
What are your favorite snacks?
My go-to snacks are berries and nuts, fresh green juice made with vegetables, plain rice cakes with nut butter, plain rice cakes with avocado, or plain rice cakes w/ hummus (organic everything)!
How do you deal with people who don’t understand your illness?
This has been a tough one for me, but before I had IBD, I didn’t know what it was either! It’s my choice how much information I want to give the person I’m telling about my illness, and I have to remind myself that if they don’t understand it, that’s not my problem.
How do you manage your stress? I know stress is a huge trigger for IBD.
It depends where the stress is coming from. If I’m feeling an overall stress, the best remedy is getting into the forest for a walk or hike with my dog. If I don’t have a ton of time, even a neighborhood walk helps… Or I’ll jump on my stationary bike. Exercise helps flush stress hormones! Getting outside and taking deep breaths is my go-to. I will also sometimes do a meditative yin yoga to help, or I’ll jump into my Heat Healer. If I’m feeling stressed at work, I make a list of everything I need to accomplish and prioritize each task. Laying everything out makes it easier to visualize and therefore less overwhelming. I also use CBD as well as other various adaptogenic supplements.
Do you have any tips for traveling with IBD? I haven’t traveled since my diagnosis and I’m worried about being in an unfamiliar place.
YES, I travel a lot and have learned along the way. I’m planning on an entire blog post about this, but here are my quick tips:
Bring snacks on the plane and non-perishable snacks in your suitcase to ensure that you always have food within reach that you know you can tolerate.
Bring your own teabags on the plane so you can en joy a soothing cup of herbal tea (most airlines only offer black tea, so I always bring my own bags and ask for hot water).
Check out the restaurant options near where you’re staying and look at the menu. I also make sure there’s a grocery store nearby.
Make sure you bring alllll your medication and supplements, and pack a few extra of everything just in case!
How do you normally prepare for a doctor appointment? Is it hard to advocate for yourself?
Such a good question! I ALWAYS take notes beforehand so I don’t forget anything. I also bring my notebook and write things down throughout the appointment, and I always ask them to slow down or repeat things if they’re moving too quickly. I also double check all my lab results beforehand to make sure that they’re in before the appointment. It has always been easy for me to advocate for myself because I hired my doctor, and I can fire them at anytime. Remembering this makes it easier to advocate for yourself. You’re paying these doctors, and you’re worthy of the best care!
Do you have any pointers on being in a relationship while having IBD?
Be as open and honest as possible. It will make things A LOT easier in the long run. Also, clearly communicating how you’re feeling and what you need goes a long way. Your partner should be loving, supportive, and understanding of your illness, and if they aren’t, maybe they aren’t the right one for you!