Colitis Unfiltered | Podcast on RSS.com

Colitis Unfiltered

Colitis Unfiltered

by Franck Tabouring

Self-Improvement Health & Fitness

Season 1

Crohn’s, Motherhood and Resilience: Liesel’s refusal to give up

In this episode of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Liesel, who started experiencing swollen knees, extreme fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain while in college. It would take nearly two years before blood in the toilet finally led to a colonoscopy and a Crohn’s diagnosis. Liesel talks about navigating life with a chronic illness long before online communities and social media existed. She reflects on the isolation, anxiety, and depression that followed, as well as the devastating flare that led to emergency surgery just months after the birth of her first child. From living with an ileostomy to facing sepsis, multiple surgeries, osteoporosis, and even cancer linked to long-term immunosuppression, her journey has been anything but easy. Today, Liesel is a doctor, educator, mother, and passionate advocate who uses her experience with Crohn’s disease to help others navigate illness and adversity. Her story is one of resilience, perspective, and hope, showing that even after decades of setbacks, it is possible to build a meaningful and fulfilling life beyond IBD. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

Ulcerative colitis, gut health and remission: Kylie’s naturopathic IBD journey

In episode 19 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Kylie, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 35 after suddenly experiencing urgency, bleeding, and symptoms she immediately knew were not normal. What started shortly before her daughter’s first birthday quickly turned into a confusing diagnosis, unanswered questions, and years of feeling alone in a system that never seemed to fully listen. Diagnosed while raising three young children, Kylie talks about navigating steroids, failed medications, and the emotional toll of constantly being stuck on the toilet while trying to be present as a mom. Frustrated by a lack of answers, she eventually turned to a gut health naturopath, changing her diet, treating underlying gut issues, and ultimately reaching remission after years of trial and error. Now balancing motherhood, work, and the reality of occasional flares, Kylie shares how stress, food, and self-advocacy shaped her colitis journey. Her story is honest, hopeful, and a reminder that healing with ulcerative colitis is not always linear, and sometimes the right path looks very different for everyone. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

Crohn’s at nine, control and letting go: Kyle’s IBD evolution

In episode 18 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Kyle, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at just nine years old after months of vomiting, severe stomach pain, diarrhea, and exhaustion. What began as a confusing childhood illness quickly turned into a lifelong battle with active inflammation, failed medications, and a body that never seemed to fully cooperate. Diagnosed in elementary school and never fully reaching remission, Kyle talks about growing up embarrassed by his symptoms, hiding his disease from others, and pushing his body beyond its limits through school, college, travel, and intense work environments. He reflects on years of Remicade, methotrexate, prednisone, and the emotional toll of feeling like his own body was constantly working against him. Today, Kyle uses his experience with Crohn’s disease to advocate for others living with chronic illness and co-founded Tummy, a platform helping patients better understand how food and lifestyle impact their symptoms. His story is honest, introspective, and deeply hopeful, showing that even without full remission, it’s still possible to build a meaningful life beyond IBD. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

Flares, denial and acceptance: Jaime’s J-Pouch journey

In this episode of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Jaime, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 25 after months of severe symptoms she initially ignored, despite correctly self-diagnosing herself online. What started as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue quickly escalated into hospitalizations, failed medications, and a body breaking down faster than she could process. Diagnosed in adulthood and thrown into a relentless cycle of flares, steroids, and biologics, Jaime talks about spending over a month in the hospital, being fed through IV, and reaching a point where surgery became the only option left. She opens up about fear, denial, body image, and the emotional weight of facing an ostomy at a young age. Now living with a J-pouch after multiple surgeries, Jaime shares how that decision ultimately saved her life. From learning how to live in her body again to building a family she once feared she couldn’t have, her story is raw, resilient, and deeply hopeful. A powerful reminder that even the hardest IBD journeys can lead to a life rebuilt. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com And do not miss out on Jaime's IBD journal. Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD2JGZCY

Colitis diagnosis, surgery and survival: Clare’s IBD turning point

In episode 16 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Clare, who was diagnosed with indeterminate colitis after a sudden and severe onset of symptoms that landed her in the hospital. With no clear diagnosis and little information available at the time, she was thrown into a confusing and frightening start to life with inflammatory bowel disease. Diagnosed as a teenager and navigating years of flares, steroids, and uncertainty, Clare shares what it was like to grow up with IBD while trying to live a normal life. After more than a decade of remission, her condition came back aggressively, leading to emergency surgery and a life-changing ostomy. She opens up about fear, complications, mental health struggles, and the reality of starting over after major surgery. Today, Clare lives with a stoma and ongoing complications, but also with perspective, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose. She speaks honestly about body image, advocacy, and why surgery should not always be seen as a last resort. Her story is raw, complex, and a powerful reminder that life with IBD doesn’t end, it changes. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

IBD, surgery and acceptance: Jess’ long colitis battle

In this episode of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Jess, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 32 after years of being told it was “just IBS.” What began with mucus, bleeding, and exhaustion quickly turned into a relentless cycle of flares, medications, and uncertainty that took a serious toll on her mental health. Diagnosed in adulthood and facing worsening symptoms every year, Jess talks about steroid dependence, failed treatments, chronic fatigue, and the constant fear of when the next flare would hit. She opens up about hitting a breaking point, spending weeks in the hospital, and ultimately undergoing stoma surgery after exhausting every other option. Now living with an ostomy, Jess shares how surgery gave her back her energy, her identity, and her life. From struggling to even look at her stoma to building a support group for others, her story is raw, emotional, and deeply hopeful. A powerful reminder that what once feels like the end can become a new beginning. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

Ambition, Crohn’s and acceptance: Lewis’ new IBD normal

In episode 14 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Lewis, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 23 after waking up one day with relentless diarrhea, bleeding, and inflammation that doctors described as “off the charts.” Fit, healthy, and in the best shape of his life, Lewis had no warning signs before his body suddenly changed overnight. After months of waiting for a colonoscopy through the NHS, Lewis finally saw the damage on screen for himself. What followed was enemas, steroids, a revised diagnosis of Crohn’s colitis, and the mental battle of accepting a new normal. He opens up about health anxiety, joint pain, fatigue, and learning to listen to his body instead of pushing through flares. Now in remission on biologic injections, Lewis shares how chronic illness reshaped his mindset, deepened his compassion, and pushed him to advocate openly about IBD on social media. His story is honest, motivational, and a powerful reminder that life with colitis may be harder, but it is not impossible. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

The long way to diagnosis and recovery: Sarah's ostomy marathon

In episode 13 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Sarah, whose IBD symptoms began at just 15 years old. What followed were eight years of colonoscopies, misdiagnoses, eating disorder accusations, and being told it was “just IBS” before she finally received a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis at 23. Through law school stress, repeated flares, and worsening symptoms, Sarah tried to power through until her body forced a breaking point. After multiple hospitalizations and a final severe flare, she underwent emergency ileostomy surgery in July 2024. What was meant to be relief turned into a medical marathon: bowel perforation, ICU, ventilator support, additional surgeries, and months of recovery. Today, Sarah hikes, runs races, and lives without the constant intestinal pain that defined her teenage years and early adulthood. She opens up about medical trauma, body image, stopping medication, and learning that an ostomy didn’t ruin her life, it gave it back. Her story is raw, resilient, and proof that even the longest road to diagnosis can still lead somewhere powerful. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

Crohn’s, loss of control and acceptance: Oktober’s hard IBD reset

In episode 12 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Oktober, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 18 after months of relentless bathroom trips, joint pain, exhaustion, and rapid weight loss. What began during a stressful year quickly escalated into six years of failed biologics, steroid cycles, and a life shrinking around the nearest toilet. After losing response to every available treatment, Oktober faced the reality of stoma surgery. What was meant to be temporary turned into emergency surgery, intensive care, and ultimately a permanent ostomy. She opens up about fear, body image, leaks, panic attacks, and the moment she realized she couldn’t keep living confined to four walls. Now living with a permanent stoma while still managing Crohn’s, Oktober shares how surgery gave her back freedom, travel, and control. She challenges misconceptions about ostomies, speaks candidly about mental health and fatigue, and reminds anyone facing surgery that life with a bag is not the end. In many cases, it’s the beginning. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

Ulcerative colitis, surgery and humor: Janelle’s decision to let go

In this episode of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Janelle, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 25 after years of confusing symptoms, mucus, bleeding, and the constant fear that something was seriously wrong. What began as manageable flares slowly turned into nearly two decades of pain, accidents, and a body that kept pushing her to the edge. Diagnosed in her mid-twenties, Janelle talks about navigating medications, steroids, remission cycles, and the mental toll of living with an invisible illness. She reflects on advocating for herself, hitting rock bottom, and ultimately choosing permanent ostomy surgery after her colon failed beyond repair. Her story covers the realities of surgery, body image, intimacy, and finally getting her life back. Using humor, blunt honesty, and zero shame, Janelle shares how living with an ostomy didn’t end her life. It gave it back. This episode is raw, funny, and deeply real, and a must-watch for anyone living with ulcerative colitis, facing surgery, or trying to survive the mental weight of IBD. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

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