I’m really excited to share with you all how I have been travelling with IBS, but it would not be possible without the help of my dietitian, Chelsea McCallum (@ibs_dietitian on Instagram), so major shoutout to her, my saviour.
A little bit about me: in July 2023, I entered a constant state of nausea. To the point where I couldn’t go in to work, all I did was move from my bed to my sofa and back to my bed every day, eating practically nothing, watching Netflix constantly, and cuddling a hot water bottle permanently. Now, I love the fact that Britain has a National Health Service, but unfortunately it is severely underfunded and staff are overworked and underpaid, meaning it took a while to get to the bottom of what was causing my nausea.
I wasn’t diagnosed with IBS until October 2023. I started taking Mebeverine, tried the low-FODMAP diet, and completed a food diary. My symptoms improved slightly, but not enough. The medication helped, but I had no understanding of the low-FODMAP diet and found it restrictive and confusing. I spoke to a dietitian only once every twelve weeks, and tried Buscopan and Peppermint Oil, both of which did not agree with me. I lost a lot of weight and had to hand in my notice at work.
And then, I found Chelsea on Instagram. She posted about low-FODMAP recipes, podcasts, 1:1 coaching, and questions regarding IBS. I kept tabs on her page, and saw that she was hosting a webinar called FREE IBS TRAINING: Four Science-Backed Steps to Unlocking IBS Relief, so I signed up.
Throughout the webinar, Chelsea discussed the foundations for successful IBS management, mistakes she had made as someone diagnosed with IBS and what others can do instead, and how to implement the low-FODMAP diet with success. We learnt how to minimise gut irritants and counter-productive behaviours, and identify our intolerances and manage them day-to-day. At the end of the webinar, she offered a Q&A Session and attendees received a free copy of her guide, 101 Low FODMAP Snacks.
She also discussed her IBS Relief Accelerator Group Program. This is what saved my life. It seems expensive but it is so worth it to get your life back. I was wary of the cost, but it was my last hope, I needed to get better. And it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Trust me, if you’re even thinking about signing up for this program, do it.
Chelsea offered a complimentary strategy call to discuss the program before signing up, where you can discuss your struggles and goals, and where Chelsea provides an overview of the program and answers any questions. She sent me a roadmap of the program, with the following steps:
- Laying the Foundations (Week 1): Gain clarity and accurate information
- Finding Relief (Weeks 2-3): Implement a personalised plan and start to see improvements
- Identifying Your Triggers (Weeks 4-12): Reintroduction phase (with accurate, detailed, specific guidance and constant communication)
- Gaining Freedom (On-going): Building your tolerance
The program starts with another 1:1 with Chelsea, where you can discuss your medical history, symptoms, and diet, and Chelsea will implement a personal plan for you. This personalised plan is what made me realise that the low-FODMAP diet does not have to be so restrictive. I ate a bigger variation of food in this twelve week period than I did for the eight months prior.
Throughout the program, there’s fortnightly group coaching sessions held via Zoom. Chelsea starts these calls with a bit of information and then moves on to laser coaching sessions with each person in the call, where others can participate by listening to the advice or offering their own.
One of the most important parts of this program is the online learning platform. A lot of people get diagnosed with IBS and are told nothing about it, but you should be able to understand what’s going on in your body and how you can manage it. Throughout the program, you learn about the following:
- What is IBS & The Low-FODMAP Diet
- Apps such as the Monash FODMAP App, Insight Timer, Nerva, and Spoonful
- Digestion
- Looking after your gut micro-biome with IBS
- Limiting gut irritants & living an IBS-free lifestyle
- FODMAP Stacking (this is what they never tell you about)
- Reintroducing FODMAPS (Chelsea actually goes into detail about how this process works)
- Modifying your favourite recipes & adding flavour
- Eating out & takeaway
- Travelling with IBS (I’ll be exploring this in more detail in my blogs)
- Overcoming painful bloating & gas
- The mind-body connection
- Managing diarrhoea
- Controlling constipation
- Reflux & heartburn
- Meeting your calcium requirements
- Healthy eating & weight loss with IBS
- Building tolerance to FODMAPS (I didn’t even know this was a thing)
- Probiotics & digestive enzymes
- Over the counter medications & supplements (this was so important to me, as someone who couldn’t take Buscopan or Peppermint Oil)
You will also be able to join a private Facebook Support Group where you can connect with Chelsea’s other clients and support each other through your journey’s. People discuss low-FODMAP alternatives and recipes, as well as probiotics, supplements, digestive enzymes, and medication.
This is why I signed up for the program in March 2024:
Me, 2024“I’ve been suffering with IBS symptoms constantly for eight months, I was diagnosed in October, I have improved slightly but I am still unable to work, study efficiently, socialise at all, or exercise enough, I am in pain near enough all of the time.”
At the time of writing, I am still not working because I’m travelling around Europe. I finished my studies on time, and I achieved a First Class Honours. I’ve socialised in cafe’s, cinema’s, restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs. I walk about 20,000 steps a day. I can’t remember the last time I was in serious pain. One of the last times I spoke to Chelsea, I’d just eaten garlic bread and a pasta dish with cheese at a gluten-free restaurant in Paris (I never thought I’d be able to eat garlic bread or cheese again).
Chelsea, I know I’ve said this hundreds of times now, but I literally cannot thank you enough. And for anyone reading this who is suffering from IBS, I cannot recommend Chelsea enough.