Johannah Ruddy MEd, is the Executive Director of the ROME Foundation and a patient advocate. Johannah works to provide the patient perspective to everything that she does. She recently co-wrote and published the book Gut Feelings: Disorders of Gut Brain Interaction which is a guide for patients and doctors. Johannah and I got together to discuss our own experiences related to “What I Wish Someone had Told me About IBS”. We discuss how patients aren’t alone and how you can gain information from others. We believe that the stigma about talking about IBS might be decreased if people were more open about suffering with it. Not everyone has the answers so it’s important to leverage your relationship with your doctor and to question treatment options. Be positive things will get better! Find Jeffrey Roberts and IBS Patient Support Group at: Website: https://www.ibspatient.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibspatient Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibspatient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibspatient Music: Werq Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Natalie (Sparacio) Hayden is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease patient advocate who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2005, She is a Mom of 2 beautiful children, with one more on the way. She is a former TV news anchor and reporter so she has had a very active life. Her blog is LightsCameraCrohns.com where she publishes weekly articles. She enjoys sharing stories about pregnancy and motherhood in hopes of comforting and empowering others. I was struck by Natalie’s story about living with IBD and the overlap with the quality of life of living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It’s a similar constant power struggle that we have living with a digestive disease. In my conversation with Natalie, she tells her story when and how was she diagnosed including her warning symptoms. Natalie told me about her day to day coping and what it’s like being a stay-at-home Mom and Mom to be, with the fear of starting a biologic and the effect on fertility. She speaks about parenthood and what can and can’t she do. She says it takes a wonderful partner to be able to cope. Natalie believes that “the moment you open up and share your story is when you will receive support”. Find Natalie Hayden at: Website: https://LightsCameraCrohns.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natalieasparacio Twitter: https://twitter.com/nataliesparacio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalieannhayden/ Find Jeffrey Roberts and IBS Patient Support Group at: Website: https://www.ibspatient.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibspatient Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibspatient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibspatient Music: Werq Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Grace Whittle first started having digestive symptoms that felt like daily food poisoning when she was 23 years old. Fortunately her fiancée, Aonghus Shortt, was a mechanical engineer and invented a device, the AIRE (available from FoodMarble.com), to help measure the amount of hydrogen in your breath, which is how you analyze foods that contain FODMAP. A low FODMAP diet is recommended to patients with IBS to reduce symptoms caused by fermentable sugars in foods. The term FODMAP is an acronym for the different sugars. With Aonghus' device, Grace learned that she could eat some foods which she was not sure she could eat; however a diet in FODMAP wasn’t the only answer for Grace’s symptoms. Grace was fortunate to work with doctors that took her symptoms seriously. Her experience in coping with IBS definitely helped to give her confidence. She believes that you will find a solution but it won’t look like anyone else’s solution. Grace is also fortunate to have a very supportive and empathetic partner in Aonghus and for him to invent a device that would help solve her problems. Find Jeffrey Roberts and IBS Patient Support Group at: Website: https://www.ibspatient.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibspatient Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibspatient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibspatient Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ibspatient Music: Werq Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Shifting from “having IBS” to “have had IBS” is the goal of Dr. Jennifer Franklin (Ph.D., MACP). In this podcast, Dr. Jennifer Franklin (Ph.D., MACP) and I spoke about her unique perspective on how therapy can help people with functional GI disorders. Relationship healing plays a large role in dealing with IBS and this is often something that is addressed by therapy. The relationship that you have with your IBS is something that is worth exploring and as Dr. Franklin (Ph.D., MACP) refers to, as “shifting your patterns”. Dr. Franklin wants patients to feel hopeful and she created the website DontHateYourGuts.com to help patients to be inspired to seek healing and not just symptom management. Dr. Franklin (Ph.D., MACP) offers psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families that she sees on a regular basis as well new patients that she might see for an individual consultation. She is currently working on a webinar series and is involved in writing a book as well as some YouTube videos. Find Jeffrey Roberts and IBS Patient Support Group at: Website: https://www.ibspatient.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibspatient Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibspatient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibspatient Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ibspatient Music: Werq Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We need to use our heads to be able to learn different strategies to manage problems where medications and dietary changes fall short with IBS. In this podcast, Dr. Jeffrey Lackner (PsyD) and I spoke at Digestive Disease Week in San Diego about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT and its role as a validated treatment option for IBS patients. CBT is no longer just for anxious or stressed patients. Rather, positive physical changes are occurring in the gut related to abdominal pain and stool regularities. CBT is now a legitimate treatment option, like diet or medication to manage patient's IBS symptoms thanks in part to Dr. Lackner's research and work. Jeffrey Lackner (PsyD) is an internationally recognized authority on the behavioral treatment of chronic pain disorders, especially Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). He has influenced doctors and therapists guidelines worldwide. He is a Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Behavioral Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. Find Jeffrey Roberts and IBS Patient Support Group at: Website: https://www.ibspatient.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibspatient Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibspatient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibspatient Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ibspatient Music: Werq Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

FoodMarble's AIRE is the first portable breath test device that can measure gases which might help to identify which foods you are not absorbing and producing excess gases and which are causing your IBS-like symptoms. Breath tests are used to detect gases which are produced by bacterial fermentation and are then passed through your breath. Excess hydrogen or methane breath gases can lead to a diagnosis of malabsorption, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrown (SIBO) or can be a key tigger of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms including diarrhea, constipation gas and bloating. The low FODMAP diet is an evidenced based diet for IBS to help you determine which foods might be your triggers. Breath tests might be useful as a way to determine which foods are safe and FoodMarble's AIRE portable breath device makes doing this simple. More information and details about how to order the AIRE breath device are available on the FoodMarble website, https://www.FoodMarble.com. See what's in the box when we unbox'ed it, https://bit.ly/2XzpA4S. Aonghus Shortt,PhD Co-Founder & CEO, and Claire Shortt,PhD Chief Scientist from FoodMarble were my guests while at Digestive Disease Week in San Diego. They explained what was the purpose in creating the AIRE breath test device, how does it work and how this might benefit an IBS sufferer especially when it comes to analyzing foods in a low FODMAP diet. Find Jeffrey Roberts and IBS Patient Support Group at: Website: https://www.ibspatient.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibspatient Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibspatient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibspatient Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ibspatient Music: Werq Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This is a highlights podcast from Digestive Disease Week in San Diego as it provided me with an opportunity to speak with researchers from around the world about their work. 1. John Weinberg, Chief Medical Officer of 4D Pharma explains what Blautix, a bacteria in clinical study is and how it may help bloating, abdominal pain and changes in bowel frequency in IBS patients. More info: https://bit.ly/2RrLlhf 2. Could exposure to pets be related to the development of IBS? More info: https://bit.ly/2Ksz1Nb 3. Using the Low FODMAP diet in children with IBS. We know that there is evidence in some adult patients that a low FODMAP diet will improve their IBS symptoms, but what about children? One study showed an improvement in the quality of life of the children, but the main challenge was keeping the children on the study. All the families recommend the diet despite the challenges. More info: https://bit.ly/2XpxtJV 4. if a hospitalized IBS patient consumes cannabis does it shorten their hospital stay? More info: https://bit.ly/2L22YDn Find Jeffrey Roberts and IBS Patient Support Group at: Website: https://www.ibspatient.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibspatient Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibspatient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibspatient Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ibspatient Music: Werq Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Matt Mitcho is the Founder and CEO of Gemelli Biotech the creators of ibs-smart™️ which is a second generation blood test for IBS. Matt and I met at Digestive Disease Week in San Diego to talk about the ibs-smart™️ blood test and who might benefit from it as well as the process for accessing the test and getting your results within 48-hours. The test offers physicians a way to diagnose diarrhea predominant and mixed-type Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-D and IBS-M) by looking for two antibodies, anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin, which are elevated in the blood of IBS-D and IBS-M patients following a bout of food poisoning. More information and details about how to order the test are available on the ibs-smart™️ website, https://www.ibssmart.com. Find Jeffrey Roberts and IBS Patient Support Group at: Website: https://www.ibspatient.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibspatient Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibspatient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibspatient Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ibspatient Music: Werq Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Dr. Mark Pimentel spoke to me at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) about what is the possible mechanism behind IBS and what is the role that Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth or SIBO plays? Is IBS a diagnosis of exclusion or inclusion? If I have food poisoning, will I develop IBS? Dr. Pimentel is a pioneer in motility disorder research having discovered a blood test to provide a definitive diagnosis for IBS. Dr Pimentel is the Program Director of the Medically Associated Science and Technology Program known as MAST at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles California. Find Jeffrey Roberts and IBS Patient Support Group at: Website: https://www.ibspatient.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibspatient Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibspatient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibspatient Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ibspatient Music: Werq Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

What does an integrative approach combining Diet therapy, Behavioural therapy and Medical therapy look like for IBS? IBS is likely not a single disease. So, what is it? Dr. William Chey spent some time with me at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) talking about these interesting topics. He is an authoritative expert in functional bowel and motility disorders including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and there is a good reason why he is called the UMFoodDoc. Dr. Chey is a Professor of Gastroenterology & Nutrition Sciences and Director, GI Nutrition & Behavioral Wellness Program in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Find Jeffrey Roberts and IBS Patient Support Group at: Website: https://www.ibspatient.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibspatient Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibspatient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibspatient Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ibspatient Music: Werq Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Kate Scarlata is a Boston-based registered dietitian and New York Times best selling author with 25+ years of digestive health experience including IBS, SIBO, Celiac Disease and others. Kate joined me at Digestive Disease Week to talk to about food, the low FODMAP diet and Kate's meaningful I Believe in your Story initiative to raise awareness and money for IBS research. Kate's website is www.katescarlata.com where you can learn more and make a donation for her #IBelieveinyourStory initiative. Find Jeffrey Roberts and IBS Patient Support Group at: Website: https://www.ibspatient.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibspatient Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibspatient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibspatient Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ibspatient Music: Werq Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

I have a wonderful, supportive family that understands what it is like to live with someone with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS); however, it does impact them in various ways. I spent a few minutes having a candid conversation with my spouse and two daughters talking about how they live with someone who has IBS. Find Jeffrey Roberts and IBS Patient Support Group at: Website: https://www.ibspatient.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibspatient Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibspatient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibspatient Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ibspatient Music: Werq Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/