LIVING WITH IBD 7 SEP 22
Farnborough Rugby Club was very full when Frimley Hospital IBD Patient Support Group held its busiest meeting so far. Around 35 people were there to discuss the concerns about ‘Living with IBD’ and share tips about overcoming them. Jayne Lifford, Lead IBD Nurse, oversaw the proceedings and organised the discussion groups. The first challenge was for each team to give itself a name and, of course, “Pooh Bears” was deemed the most appropriate!
Each group discussed how they could be affected by different scenarios including an all-day wedding, graduation ceremony, foreign holiday, six month travelling in Asia and the particularly sensitive issues around personal relationships. A wide range of scenarios, but the concerns were often the same: travel itself and ready access to good facilities, uncertainty about strange food, unknown surroundings and provision of appropriate medical support. All of these factors could make for stressful situations. It is very important to identify ways of overcoming them or at least being able to take control of them. Careful route planning, finding out about venues and facilities, good personal supplies, suitable snacks and water were all mentioned. It is also important that your partners/buddies truly appreciate the effects of IBD.
Foreign travel poses additional problems and good knowledge of local medical facilities helps to reduce the stress. Suitable insurance and pre-planning of drug requirements and necessary paperwork is vital. The IBD Team is also able to give specialist advice.
Perhaps the “Tip of the Day” was to invest in a “Bog in a Bag”. True – Google it and you will find a good range of Loo substitutes! Try to get hold of a RADAR key to open “Disabled Toilets”. Some local authorities provide them free and Crohn’s and Colitis will give a free one to new members.
Arlyn and Vonne, the other IBD specialist nurses also attended and their support, input and advice was much appreciated as always.
Next meeting is on Wednesday 7 December – Quiz and Seasonal Celebrations! All Frimley Park Hospital IBD patients are more than welcome.