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Welcome to the I'll Be Determined Exploration, designed to help you take a closer look at how you're living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), understand your choices in managing IBD, and find the determination to live the life you deserve.
Choose a journey below to get started. At the end of each journey, you'll earn a badge proving your determination to effectively manage IBD. Earn all four badges, and you'll be invited to join THE WALL — a place where people like you are sharing their thoughts about IBD, empowering declarations, inspirational notes from their journeys, and the choices they're making to take charge of IBD. See THE WALL.
Share your empowering IBD declarations, and see what others are saying.
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Start your Treatment Journey to rethink how you're managing IBD, explore your treatment options, and learn the risks and benefits associated with each treatment. Complete all five challenges along your journey to earn your Senior Partner badge.
By the end of your journey, we hope you'll be driven to work with your doctor to find the treatment plan that helps you better manage IBD.
Treating your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the most important choices you can make when it comes to overall disease management.
Depending on the treatment, benefits may include:
Choosing to not treat IBD may result in:
How well do you know IBD medications? Match the medication class on the left with its description on the right. At the end, we'll let you know how you did!
Challenge 1 of 5
Medications are an important part of your IBD management plan. Work with your doctor to weigh the risks and benefits of medications and make the treatment decisions that are right for you. Learn more
Challenge 2 of 5
Many people with IBD use complementary therapies to help manage symptoms. But it's important to understand that complementary therapies should not replace treatment with prescription medications. Additionally, you should always tell your doctor if you are using or planning to use complementary therapies, as they could interact with your medications or with other products.
Keep going. You’re on your way to earning the Senior Partner badge!
Roll over the commonly used complementary therapies below to see their potential benefits and risks:
Possible benefits Many people with IBD may experience vitamin and mineral deficiencies for a variety of reasons. Common reasons include lack of absorption of nutrients in the GI system, and elimination of certain problematic foods from their diet (which in turn means elimination of important nutrients). But vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, folic acid and iron supplements can help replace vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Possible risks In general, vitamins are considered low-risk, but excessive use of certain vitamins may be harmful, so it's important to discuss your vitamin and mineral needs with your doctor. Also, keep in mind that unlike pharmaceutical products, vitamins are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Possible benefitsProbiotics can help restore the "good" bacteria that normally reside in the intestines. Some scientific evidence shows that probiotics may help people with IBD maintain remission, and prevent and treat pouchitis — a complication that can result from surgery to remove the colon.
Possible risksProbiotics are generally low risk. Some people may experience mild gas or bloating. And keep in mind that unlike pharmaceutical products, probiotics are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Also, the safety of probiotics in young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems has not been adequately studied.
Possible benefitsFish oils — found in fatty fish like salmon, certain nuts and green vegetables, and supplements — may help relieve intestinal inflammation in IBD, and help people with Crohn's disease maintain remission.
Possible risksFish oils are generally low risk, but it's important to note that there are conflicting studies when it comes to their ability to relieve symptoms and maintain remission. Also, unlike pharmaceutical products, fish oil supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Possible benefitsAloe vera is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. Some people with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis who drink aloe vera juice have reported reduced symptoms.
Possible risksPeople with IBD should be cautioned that aloe vera, taken orally, has a laxative effect. Plus, it can boost your immune system. This can be dangerous for people with IBD, who already have an overactive immune system. Keep in mind that unlike pharmaceutical products, aloe vera products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Challenge 3 of 5
What are you using (or have you used) to treat your IBD? (Check all that apply.)
Treating IBD is an important part of your overall IBD management plan. Even if you don't have active disease symptoms, treatment can:
This Doctor Discussion Guide can help you and your doctor take a closer look at how IBD affects you, and determine if you could be doing more to manage IBD. Be sure to print it, fill it out, and take it to your next appointment.
Challenge 4 of 5
Surgery should only be used as a final treatment option for IBD.
While surgery does bear some risk, it is an important treatment option for IBD. Plus, in certain situations not having surgery may be riskier than having surgery. Learn more
One more challenge to earn your Senior Partner badge!
Challenge 5 of 5
Starting today, I will: (Check all that apply.)
We are so glad you're being proactive in managing your IBD! This Doctor Discussion Guide can help you and your doctor determine how IBD affects you, and your next steps in effectively managing IBD. Be sure to print it, fill it out, and take it to your next appointment.
Treating your IBD is an important part of living well with IBD. This Doctor Discussion Guide can help you and your doctor take a closer look at how IBD affects you, and determine if you could be doing more to manage IBD. Be sure to print it, fill it out, and take it to your next appointment.
You finished the Treatment Journey and earned your Senior Partner badge. To save your badge in your profile, please log in or register.
Get involved in CCFA programs and advocacy opportunities.
Two patients share their individual IBD treatment journeys.
Dr. Stephen Hanauer talks about IBD treatment options.
Earn all four badges for your chance to write on THE WALL.
Start your Diet Journey to rethink how you're nourishing your body, explore your diet options, and understand the risks and benefits associated with certain foods and diets. Complete all five challenges along your journey to earn your Top Chef badge.
By the end of your journey, we hope you'll be dedicated to maintaining a nutritious meal plan — along with a treatment plan — that helps you better manage IBD.
Maintaining a well-balanced, nutritious diet is something we all should strive for. But it's especially important if you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) because you're more susceptible to malnourishment than people without IBD.
Good nutritional status may lead to:
Poor nutritional status may lead to:
Eating the right foods is all you need to do to effectively manage IBD.
Sorry, but the correct answer is False.
That's correct!
A healthy diet can help you maintain good nutritional status and manage symptoms, but medications are recommended to effectively treat IBD. Work with your doctor, nutritionist or other health care provider to create the meal plan and treatment plan that are right for you. Learn more
Which special diet(s) are you on (or have you been on)? (Check all that apply.)
Hear what nutritionist Sally Ritz has to say about special diets. Watch video
It's important to remember that while many people have reported that certain diets have helped provide symptom relief, most have not been proven scientifically, and their benefits have not been shown in research studies. Always talk to your doctor or dietitian if you have questions about a particular diet or are considering trying one. Learn more about these diets.
That's true!
And so are options B and C.
And so are options A and C.
And so are options A and B.
All of these are reasons why it's so important for people with IBD to maintain good nutritional status.
Learn more about the importance of good nutrition, and the relationship between food and IBD.
One more challenge to earn your Top Chef badge!
We are so glad you're being proactive in managing your IBD!
Start your Food Journal today, and make an appointment to create your customized IBD meal plan with your doctor or dietitian.
Maintaining a nutritious diet, and knowing which foods to avoid and which to include in your diet, may help you better manage your IBD and ease your symptoms. You might want to start a Food Journal to help you and your doctor or dietitian see if there are problematic foods in your diet, and if you’re meeting your nutrition needs. Also, consider working with your doctor or dietitian to develop a customized IBD meal plan.
You finished the Diet Journey and earned your Top Chef badge. To save your badge in your profile, please log in or register.
Sally Ritz discusses the link between food and IBD.
Dr. Jennifer Strople talks about the role of nutrition in managing IBD.
Start your Complications Journey to learn more about IBD complications, rethink how they can affect you, and explore different ways to manage and reduce your risk of complications. Complete all five challenges along your journey to earn your Chief Navigator badge.
By the end of your journey, we hope you'll be disciplined in doing all you can to effectively manage — and in some cases even prevent — IBD complications.
Complications of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) — which can involve the intestinal tract itself or other areas of the body — can interfere with your overall management of IBD, and in some cases, lead to serious consequences.
It's important to remember that not everyone with IBD will experience complications, and some of these events are very rare. However, early recognition, prompt treatment, and making efforts to reduce the risk of complications are important.
Choosing to manage IBD complications may result in:
Choosing to not manage IBD complications may result in:
Some intestinal IBD complications are specific to Crohn's disease, and some are specific to ulcerative colitis (UC). Do you know the difference? Match the complication on the right with either Crohn’s or UC on the left. At the end, we’ll let you know how you did!
Early detection and prompt treatment are the keys to managing complications. So make sure you learn as much as you can, and pay attention to any changes or symptoms of these complications.
If your IBD isn't active (not having symptoms), you don't have to worry about colorectal cancer.
Even if you're not experiencing symptoms, you're still at risk for colorectal cancer (CRC). It's important to see your doctor regularly and have routine tests to be sure there are no signs of cancer. Use our CRC Risk Discussion Guide to talk to your doctor about your individual risk for CRC.
Keep going. You're on your way to earning the Chief Navigator badge!
Some medications can cause side effects that mimic IBD complications:
It is believed that most IBD complications are caused by an abnormal immune system response that triggers inflammation in the intestine and other parts of the body. However, some extraintestinal complications are caused by certain medications. Even though certain medications can have side effects in some people, it's important to weigh the benefits and risks of medications with your doctor.
Learn more about extraintestinal manifestations
If you have colorectal cancer, where have you turned for support? (Check all that apply.)
We know how important it is to have a strong support system when living with colorectal cancer. Hear what Dr. David Rubin has to say about colorectal cancer, and get tips for coping. Watch video
You can also find support through the CCFA Community site and CCFA support groups.
One more challenge to earn your Chief Navigator badge!
We are so glad you're being proactive in managing IBD complications! Get started today by assessing your risk for colorectal cancer, and making sure you're up-to-date on check-ups and routine tests.
IBD complications can be serious. It's important to learn all you can about managing them and potentially reducing your risk of complications. Get started today by assessing your risk for colorectal cancer, and making sure you're up-to-date on check-ups and routine tests.
You finished the Complications Journey and earned your Chief Navigator badge. To save your badge in your profile, please log in or register.
Get familiar with IBD complications.
Dr. David Rubin tells you what you need to know.
Start your Quality of Life Journey to rethink how you're coping with IBD, learn more about the effects of IBD and what it means to live well, and explore tips and resources for coping. Answer some eye-opening questions along your journey, and you'll receive your Life Coach badge plus a Quality of Life Discussion Guide that can help you and your doctor take charge of IBD today!
By the end of your journey, we hope you'll be deserving of a life dictated by you, not IBD.
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) can have a significant physical impact on individuals living with the condition.
The good news is, with the right IBD management plan and support system, you can take charge of IBD and focus on living the life you deserve.
Taking charge of IBD may help you:
Not taking charge of IBD may lead to:
Question 1 of 6
The best way to cope with IBD is to seek effective treatment. Work with your doctor to create a treatment plan that’s right for you. If you’re not satisfied with your current treatment, talk to your doctor about other options.
Question 2 of 6
It's important to understand that these feelings are perfectly normal. And the better you can manage your IBD symptoms, the better you'll be able to cope with these feelings.
Keep going. You're on your way to getting your Life Coach badge and discussion guide!
Question 3 of 6
Question 4 of 6
It's inevitable that at some point, you'll have flare-ups while you're away from home. But that doesn't have to stop you from living your life. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options. And for peace of mind, be prepared before heading out for the day or traveling.
Question 5 of 6
One more question to get your Life Coach badge and discussion guide!
Question 6 of 6
We are so glad that you've decided to take charge of IBD! Start by turning your questions and answers into a Quality of Life Discussion Guide. Take it with you to your next doctor appointment. It can show you and your doctor how IBD is affecting you, if you could be doing more to manage it, and what your next steps should be for seeking support and taking charge.
Taking steps to better manage IBD and seek support can help you cope with the challenges of IBD. Start by turning your questions and answers into a Quality of Life Discussion Guide. Take it with you to your next doctor appointment. It can show you and your doctor how IBD is affecting you, if you could be doing more to manage it, and what your next steps should be for seeking support and taking charge.
You finished the Quality of Life Journey and earned your Life Coach badge. To save your badge in your profile, please log in or register.
Hear how one couple is taking charge of IBD.
Dr. Paul Kredow offers tips on coping with the challenges of IBD.
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