follied with stomach aches 

i have  just had a bowl resection  have been on biollogics and it hasn’t helped. I have had every test under the Sun but still can’t stop being sick.

I am a psychology researcher at the University of York (North Yorkshire) with my projects funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. You can see my research profile here, and see my research website here,  which includes my web page for participant recruitment here. 

About my research: 

I am recruiting participants to take part in an online survey. The survey is centered around how people interpret the sensations they get from their body. This data is being collected to refine a new questionnaire that asks people about their emotional reaction to sensations from the stomach that signal states such as hunger, satiation, and fullness; gastric interoceptive evaluation. This questionnaire has been developed to better understand if gastric interoceptive evaluation is a source of psychological distress for people with gastrointestinal disorders.

Taking part involves 1) completing an online survey that asks questions about the sensations people get from their body and stomach, gastric interoceptive evaluation, and their gastrointestinal symptoms, and 2) completing the gastric interoceptive evaluation questionnaire (only) again a week later. This whole process is expected to take up to 20 minutes. There are x4 £50 Amazon e-vouchers to be won in a prize draw for completing the interoceptive evaluation questionnaire (only) again a week later. 

To take part, participants must:  

• Be aged 18+

• Identify as having a gastric disorder (have a current diagnosis or think you have one. However, no proof of diagnosis is needed. We recognise that symptoms can be experienced without a formal diagnosis.) 

• Be fluent in English 

• Live in the UK

The survey can be accessed via this link, which includes the information sheet, declaration of consent, and sources of support: https://york.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0vwfUyvV5r2tGWq

Or can be accessed via the Crohn's and Colitis UK website: https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/get-involved/want-to-get-involved-in-research/take-part-in-research/validating-a-questionnaire-on-gastric-sensations 

Thanks everyone, 

Lucy

I'm Ben, 32 years of age and have had Crohn's disease for over 10 years. I had a subtotal colectomy with ileostomy in 2017, after which I gained my PhD in work psychology.

After experiencing the debilitating effects of fatigue as a result of IBD, I have now secured funding from my employer, Nottingham Trent University, to investigate the effects of job demands (e.g. high workload) and resources (e.g. flexible working) on fatigue in people working with IBD.

I am looking for individuals over the age of 18 with an IBD diagnosis who are currently employed or have been employed within the last 12 months to participate in focus groups.

You can register by:

1) directly booking your focus group timeslot using this link: https://nbsntu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_02RKFqJeP5guZhA

2) scanning the QR code in the poster

3) express your interest using the form on the Crohn's Colitis UK website: https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/get-involved/want-to-get-involved-in-research/take-part-in-research/working-with-ibd

Many thanks in advance,

Dr Ben Evans

Good luck and hang in there!

I was diagnosed with Crohn's back in 2003 and had a rough time initially. Loads of pain, weight loss, and a couple of weeks in the hospital. I've been on a few types of medication since then. Figuring out food intolerances was a painful trial and error process. High-fat and processed foods were a big no-no for me.

A few years ago, I read up on omega-3 fats and their benefits for reducing intestinal inflammation, so I started taking cod liver oil capsules. It’s not a cure, but for the past two years, I’ve had virtually no diarrhoea or mouth ulcers. Plus, I can eat pretty much anything now, which is a huge relief!

One thing that might help is gentle stretching or maybe even some light exercise when you feel the pains creeping in. I've found that getting up and moving around can sometimes ease the discomfort.

But hey, it might be worth giving your doc a shout just to be on the safe side. They might have some more targeted advice or even a something else that may help

Living with Crohn's for the past five years has been quite the journey for me, with constant flare-ups adding to the challenges. Hearing about the additional diagnosis of PSC sounds truly tough, and I can only imagine the added worries and uncertainties it brings.

While I don't have firsthand experience with PSC, I'm here to lend an empathetic ear and offer whatever support I can.

Sending positive vibes to all those navigating the complexities of chronic conditions 🙂

I've heard some separate buzz about the potential benefits of omega-3 fish oils for Crohn's disease. If anyone has tried this supplement recently or has insights to share on if it worked for them, I'd love to hear them.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned along the way is the importance of self-care and self-compassion. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day struggles of managing symptoms and medications, but it's equally important to prioritise my mental and emotional well-being.

Through it all, I've found solace in connecting with others who share similar experiences. Whether it's through support groups, online forums, or personal conversations, knowing that I'm not alone in this journey has been incredibly empowering.

If anyone else feels inclined to share their own experiences with Crohn's, I'm all ears. Let's create a space where we can celebrate our victories, commiserate over our setbacks, and uplift each other along the way.