Hey fam! Welcome to the Thursday live chat 🌸 The last of the week! Tonight is a Community Corner chat, No theme, no agenda, just conversation. What's on your mind today? What do you want to chat about? Anything goes! For fun, what’s one plan or intention you have going into the weekend?💕

Certainly not condoning the horrible act of violence associated, which I imagine/hope will remove the name from the ballot. Like so many others, I battle with Insurance companies each year. Every January, for last several years, I get denied for an expensive, yet effective, medication. Every January, with my GI’s support, that denial has been overturned. This year has been no different- except for the intentional delays and only providing a “verbal” approval- as I’ve waited 2 + weeks for “corrected” documentation since I was informed. I had to notify Aetna, that the approval letter they shared had old dates. Was that by mistake or design? I’m fairly certain that these initial rejection letters are ChatGPT generated, w/o physician review. I’ve never experienced close to these issues, in my 30 years of managing IBD. The end game is to hold out for patient fatigue and allowing the insurance companies to dictate our quality of care. Like so often the case, follow the money. I truly hope that something is passed which protects all managing an illness that requires medication(s).

All: I’ve shared something similar before, as it pertains to CCFA followers on LinkedIn. 1.1 Billion subscribe to LI, worldwide. 1 in 100 in the U.S have IBD. 27k followers of their profile. A huge miss on behalf of their marketing outreach, considering how impactful IBD is on the business community. Not a blanket criticism of the Foundation, as they do many great things. But, hopefully they’ll attach to an influencer soon and grow that number by 10x or more. P.S- 15 “liked” their post and not one comment. Stigma of identifying with disease? Perhaps. Or no one likes their physician. Either way, increased exposure/continued education of those in positions of power, especially in the workplace, is vital.

Hey all- I’m nervous to say it but I think the tremfya is finally working…. I’ve been sick and in a hole for the past 14 months but since I started the first Iv bag, I’ve gotten my energy back. The GI symptoms improve some days and are horrible others but many days, I can almost go about parenting, going to my kids activities etc. I FEEL SO OVERWHELMED! it’s like sensory overload and my family will take as much as they can get (I mean it’s been a rough year so I’m so happy but having a hard time with the transitions back into life!!!) Has this happened to anyone?

I'm fairly new to the UC club and am learning as I go. I appreciate all the suggestions and help I've received from you guys here. I have a question for you folks who have dealt with this curse longer than I have. I know to stay home if I'm experiencing full-on symptoms. And I feel comfortable leaving the house when I'm in remission. But what about those times when you're just not sure? Do you take a chance? If you do go, is there anything you do before you leave like meds, something to eat, something to drink? If I'm planning to go out in the morning, I don't eat anything until I get back home. And sometimes I take an OTC anti-diarrhea med. I don't know if that helps or not. I was going to run some errands this morning but I changed my mind when my stomach starting making a little noise. I'm really apprehensive about this and I'm becoming a hermit, a prisoner in my own house. I've been in situations where seconds count but the bathroom is minutes away. Very embarrassing and I don't want that to happen again. Fortunately, all of the incidents, so far, were either at home or in the hospital. So what's your secret? What do you do that makes you feel comfortable leaving your house and going out in public? Thanks, Steve

Hello friends! Does anyone know how biologics work in Europe, specifically Spain? I’m on Entyvio and I’m wondering jf that’s offered in Spain and Europe in general and what are the criteria to get approved over there or how does the system work