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Comedian Ian Goldstein takes us through his journey with Crohn's disease, beginning with his diagnosis at 16 when he was just trying to navigate the already challenging world of high school, SATs, and planning for college. With candid humor, he recounts the moment he realized something was seriously wrong – not just from frequent bathroom trips, but when a coworker pointed out his dramatic weight loss.

What follows is a rollercoaster of medical experiences that many in the IBD community will recognize – from the shock of needing a colonoscopy as a teenager to the trial and error of finding effective medications. Ian vividly describes his first major bowel obstruction during his senior year of college, complete with what he calls the "modern-day torture device" known as an NG tube. Despite his best efforts to manage his condition through diet alone, he eventually required surgery in 2022 to remove seven strictures from his small intestine.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Ian shares how he's transformed his medical journey into comedy shows. From "The Autoimmune Saloon" to a celebration party for meeting his healthcare deductible (complete with custom cupcakes and hats), he's found ways to create community while addressing serious issues like medical debt. These creative outlets not only helped him process his experiences but connected him with others who could offer crucial advice about doctors and treatments.

Perhaps most valuable are Ian's insights about navigating the healthcare system with a chronic illness. He speaks honestly about the frustration of insurance denials, the anxiety of unexpected medical bills, and the challenges of having an invisible disability. His experiences highlight the importance of self-advocacy, finding the right medical team, and building a supportive community.

Ready to laugh, cry, and feel a little less alone in your IBD journey? Listen as Ian shares his practical wisdom: record your doctor appointments to remember important information, and seek out community connections that might literally change your life. Whether you're newly diagnosed or a veteran of chronic illness, this conversation reminds us all that finding humor in dark places might be our most powerful medicine.

Links:

• Ian's website
• New York Times article about Ian's party to celebrate meeting his healthcare deductible
• The Squeaky Wheel- satire publication that focuses on the experiences of people living with disabilities.
• Tina's episode with us
• Dr. David Schwartzberg's episode with us
• Nicole's episode with us- Ian mentioned Nicole and how supportive she's been to him but we sadly had to cut that part out for length. But- get to know Nicole!!

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Imagine visiting your gastroenterologist and feeling comfortable enough to discuss every aspect of how IBD affects your life—including your sexual health and practices. For many patients, particularly those in the LGBTQI+ community, this remains an elusive dream rather than reality.

Dr. Victor Chedid, gastroenterologist and director of Mayo Clinic's Pride Clinic, joins Bowel Moments to tackle this crucial gap in IBD care. With disarming honesty and clinical expertise, he reveals why addressing sexuality isn't just about inclusivity—it's about providing complete medical care. When 95% of providers believe discussing sexual health is important but only 27% actually do it, patients suffer in silence with questions that directly impact their quality of life.

The conversation dives deep into practical approaches for both patients and providers. Dr. Chedid shares his framework for discussing sexual practices with patients, from the straightforward question "What do you do for sex?" to navigating complex conversations around surgical interventions like J-pouch formation. For transgender patients, he unpacks recent research on gender-affirming hormones and IBD, emphasizing that life-saving gender-affirming care should never be withheld due to IBD concerns.

Perhaps most compelling is Dr. Chedid's perspective on cultural humility and intersectionality. Each patient's experience is shaped by multiple overlapping identities—their sexuality, gender, race, nationality, and more. Rather than making assumptions, he advocates for providers to "leave their biases at the door" and approach each person's unique situation with curiosity and respect.

"People living with IBD are the experts of their own bodies," Dr. Chedid reminds us in his powerful closing thoughts. "When they say something feels off, it's not a guess—it's lived experience." This principle forms the foundation of truly inclusive care—care that sees patients as whole people deserving of dignity, understanding, and comprehensive treatment.

Ready to advocate for more inclusive IBD care? Share this episode with your healthcare team and join the conversation about creating safe spaces for everyone in our community.

Links:

• AGA's Pride Month Provider Spotlight on Dr. Chedid
• Dr. Chedid talking about forming the IBD Pride Clinic
• "Your Top 6 Questions Answered by Dr. Victor Chedid" -A Program Dedicated to IBD Patients from the LGBTQIA+ Community- Crohn's & Colitis Foundation- USA

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For two decades, Rachel Gebhardt has navigated the complex terrain of Crohn's disease with a refreshing perspective shaped by her father's experience with the same condition. Where her father let illness define him, Rachel chose a different path—one filled with humor, openness, and resilience—despite her case being more medically severe.

Rachel's journey encompasses four bowel surgeries and fourteen hospital admissions since 2020 alone, including a colostomy she affectionately named "Whoopie." With disarming candor, she shares the moment her surgeon showed her a photo of a woman in an American flag bikini with a matching ostomy bag cover as encouragement—a moment that eventually inspired her own celebratory beachside photo years later. Through skin infections, bowel obstructions, and dietary restrictions, Rachel maintains her commitment to living fully and modeling positive coping for her children.

The military healthcare system presented unique challenges, but also connected Rachel with Dr. Anish Patel at Brook Army Medical Center, who became not just her gastroenterologist but her advocate and ally. Their relationship exemplifies the profound difference compassionate, specialized care makes for patients with complex conditions. Rachel details her experience with hyperbaric treatments, medication complications, and the surprising remission she experienced only during pregnancy and breastfeeding—highlighting the understudied connection between hormones and IBD.

What resonates most deeply is Rachel's transformation from initially viewing her ostomy as "the end of the world" to embracing it as a source of freedom. Now training for a half marathon and hiking mountains previously inaccessible when bathroom urgency controlled her life, she's become an outspoken advocate for ostomy awareness. Her message is clear and powerful: life with an ostomy can be not just manageable, but genuinely good—a perspective desperately needed by those facing similar paths. For anyone navigating IBD or supporting someone who is, Rachel's story offers both practical wisdom and heartening hope.

Links:

• United Ostomy Association
• Our episode with Dr. Anish Patel
• Pregnancy and Crohn's - video from Brigham & Women's IBD Center
• Pregnancy & Breastfeeding info- Crohn's Colitis UK

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