Wrestling the Octopus (IBD)

Rachel (@bottomlineibd) and Nigel (@crohnoid)
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MEDICINE

Two long-term IBD patients, Rachel and Nigel, share their experiences and perspectives on living with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis).

  1. MAY 19

    #35 World IBD Day 2026 - Reflecting on Our Efforts in IBD Patient Education

    Send us Fan Mail In honour of World IBD Day 2026, Nigel has curated his "best bits" from our Wrestling the Octopus: The IBD Patient Podcast over the last 12 months. If you're living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis - or caring for those who do - this is a chance to catch up on some clips from our previous episodes - including surgery, living with a stoma, colorectal cancer risk in inflammatory bowel disease, blood clots, and more besides. Follow Rachel at @bottomlineibd Follow Nigel at @crohnoid

    39 min

  2. MAY 10

    #33 Rachel talks candidly about the return of IBD symptoms after years of drug-free remission

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 33 of Wrestling the Octopus IBD, Rachel chats with Nigel about her feelings on getting inflammatory bowel disease symptoms after 15 years of Crohn's remission - the last five years being without drugs. Follow Rachel at @bottomlineibd Follow Nigel at @crohnoid

    21 min

  3. MAY 10

    #34 Nigel talks about the reality of managing multiple health conditions as part of his Crohn's

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 34 of Wrestling the Octopus IBD, the tables are turned. This time, Rachel asks Nigel about his battery of recent tests and what the reality is like of managing multiple health conditions that stem from his Crohn's disease. Living with inflammatory bowel disease is a full-time job in itself, and Nigel illustrates this well in this highly relatable episode. Follow Rachel at @bottomlineibd Follow Nigel at @crohnoid

    17 min

  4. APR 11

    #32 How to find resilience in chronic illness: IBD and cancer patient, Neil Barker shares his story

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 32 of Wrestling the Octopus: The IBD Patient Podcast, we meet Crohn's disease patient, Neil Barker. Neil recounts his history of living with IBD, bowel and brain cancer. His story offers an honest, deeply human look at what it means to manage a chronic illness while trying to maintain hope, identity and everyday life. Neil reflects on the early signs of Crohn's, the long road to diagnosis, and the emotional and physical toll of living with unpredictable symptoms. He shares how IBD shaped his relationship with food, work and social life, and how he learned to advocate for himself within the healthcare system. Hear Neil's practical insights on managing gut health, coping with flare ups and finding support. Our discussion then moves into Neil’s experience with bowel cancer, including how his IBD history influenced detection, treatment and recovery. He speaks candidly about the shock of later developing brain cancer, the resilience required to face multiple life altering diagnoses, and the importance of community when navigating long-term illness. Whether you live with inflammatory bowel disease, support someone who does, or want to better understand the complexities of Crohn's, ulcerative colitis and cancer, this episode offers compassion, clarity and connection. Follow Neil on Instagram @bigwoofa_agus_siarach Follow Rachel at @bottomlineibd Follow Nigel at @crohnoid

    40 min

  5. MAR 29

    #31 Understanding Blood Clots and IBD - with Professor Beverley Hunt OBE

    Send us Fan Mail Blood clots are not the first thing most people think of when they hear Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis - but they should be on the radar of each one of us living with inflammatory bowel disease. This episode of Wrestling the Octopus IBD dives into clots and thrombosis in inflammatory bowel disease. Our guest is Professor Beverley Hunt OBE, consultant in thrombosis and haemostasis at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London, UK. She joins us to explain why IBD increases clot risk, what this means for our gut and overall health, and what, as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis patients, we can practically do to protect ourselves. We cover: What a blood clot actually is, and the difference between deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and more unusual clots like portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (SMVT)Why people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have a higher risk of clots - including the role of inflammation, “sticky blood” and autoimmune conditionsWhen the risk of thrombosis is highest in inflammatory bowel disease: flares, hospital admissions, surgery and long periods of immobilityHow to reduce your clot risk in everyday life: movement, travel tips, smoking, weight, hormones and looking after your general gut healthWhat to ask your hospital team about clot prevention if you’re admitted or having an operationRed flag symptoms that should make you seek urgent medical helpThe impact of modern biologics and other IBD medicines on clot riskWomen’s health: contraception, HRT, iron deficiency and how to make safer choices if you live with IBDNigel also shares his experience of living with portal and mesenteric vein clots and portal hypertension from a patient perspective. This episode is for anyone with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis who has ever wondered, “Am I at risk of a clot - and how would I even know?” Our aim is not to frighten you, but to give you clear, sensible information so you can feel more confident advocating for yourself. If you find this useful, please consider leaving a rating or review, and share it with someone else living with inflammatory bowel disease. The more people understand about clots, thrombosis and IBD, the safer our community becomes. Follow Thrombosis UK. Follow Rachel at @bottomlineibd Follow Nigel at @crohnoid

    33 min

  6. MAR 14

    #30 Top tips for living with a stoma in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (IBD)

    Send us Fan Mail For Episode 30 of Wrestling the Octopus: the IBD patient podcast, we are joined by Lead Stoma Care Nurse, Natasha Rolls at University Hospital Foundation Trust Bristol and Weston. Natasha provides brilliant tips and practical guidance for everyday life and gut health for people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. 🌟 Key themes discussed 💬 Why stomas are not a last resort  Natasha explains how early conversations about stomas can reduce fear and help inflammatory bowel disease patients understand that stomas can be life changing in positive ways. “I wish I had not been so frightened of this because I now feel well.”🏥 Emergency vs elective surgery   Emergency stoma formation can be emotionally challenging. Patients often need time to process shock, adapt and grieve for the life they expected.🧠 Psychological impact   Support is vital, yet access varies. Stoma nurses provide listening, reassurance and guidance even when formal psychological services are limited.🧩 Temporary and permanent stomas   Reversal depends on healing, safety and patient choice. Many people choose to keep their stoma because their quality of life improves significantly.🧴 Learning stoma care   Confidence develops at different speeds. Some patients manage their stoma within days, others need weeks depending on recovery and emotional readiness.🏡 Support after discharge   Follow up varies across the UK. Some services offer home visits and long term support, while others are more limited.💊 Medication changes   After surgery for ulcerative colitis, some patients may no longer need previous treatments. Those with Crohn's often continue shared medical and surgical care.⚠️ Common physical issues  High output, leaks, sore skin, hernias, blockages and prolapse are discussed with reassurance that most problems are manageable with simple interventions. “There are very few things in stoma care that are an emergency.”🍽️ Diet and gut health   Early low fibre diets help ileostomy patients, but long term eating can be flexible and enjoyable. Food diaries help identify triggers for gas or disrupted sleep.🏃 Exercise and activity   Most activities, including swimming, running and even mountain climbing, are possible with a stoma once recovery is complete.❤️ Intimacy and body image   Stomas can affect confidence, but Natasha emphasises autonomy, communication and the importance of sharing at your own pace.🛠️ Bags and accessories   Stoma nurses help patients choose products based on clinical need and personal preference. Needs may change over time.💷 Prescriptions   Stoma supplies are exempt from prescription charges. Some patients may also qualify for full exemption.🤝 Support organisations   Colostomy UK, Ileostomy Association, Urostomy Association and local groups offer community, advice and peer support.Follow Rachel at @bottomlineibd Follow Nigel at @crohnoid

    45 min

  7. FEB 28

    #29 Understanding Liver Disease in IBD - with Dr Sree Kotha and Dr Phil Berry

    Send us Fan Mail Did you know that up to 30% of people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) will have abnormal liver tests at some point? In this episode of Wrestling the Octopus IBD, Nigel and I are joined by two expert hepatologists from Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London to explore the link between IBD and liver disease - what causes it, what to look out for and how it's monitored. Our Guests Dr. Sreelakshmi (Sree) Kotha – Hepatology Consultant and Clinical Lead for Endoscopy, St. Thomas' Hospital, London. Dr. Phil Berry – Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital. Special interest in medical ethics and patient safety. Co-author of PSC: Voices, Journeys and Challenges. Why Does IBD Affect the Liver? IBD - including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis - is an autoimmune condition, and that autoimmune activity doesn't always stay confined to the gut. Liver involvement is more common than many patients realise. The main causes of abnormal liver tests in IBD include: Fatty liver disease - linked to high BMI or long-term steroid useMedication reactions - IBD treatments such as methotrexate, azathioprine and biologics can all affect liver functionAutoimmune hepatitis - where the immune system attacks liver cellsGallstones - Crohn's disease affects how the body processes bile acids, increasing the riskPrimary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) - a serious bile duct condition closely linked to IBD. Key facts about PSC: Around 70–80% of people with PSC also have IBDPSC is more common in ulcerative colitis (affecting 3–8% of patients) than in Crohn's disease (1–3%)Treating IBD, even very successfully, does not appear to slow PSC — the two conditions can progress independently of each otherPSC is a lifelong condition requiring ongoing monitoring Symptoms to Watch For Early liver disease often causes no obvious symptoms, which is why routine blood tests matter. As things progress, patients may notice: Persistent fatigue and tiredness (though this can overlap with IBD symptoms)Jaundice - yellowing of the eyes or skinFevers, chills and rigors - signs of bile duct infectionAbdominal pain, particularly on the right side Gallstones and Crohn's Disease Crohn's disease carries a slightly higher risk of gallstones due to changes in how bile acids are processed in the gut. Because gallstones are common in the general population and the treatment (gallbladder removal) is the same regardless of cause, the Crohn's connection isn't always explored - but it's worth raising with your team if you have symptoms. When Should You Seek Help? Managing IBD alongside liver disease, gallstones or other complications can make it hard to know who to contact when something feels wrong. A few practical pointers: Severe abdominal pain with fever, vomiting or chills - call 111 or go to A&EGrumbling, uncertain symptoms - contact your gastroenterology team via  Mentioned in This Episode PSC: Voices, Journeys and Challenges - co-authored by Dr. Sree Kotha and Dr. Phil BerryNecessary Scars - by Dr. Phil Berry, exploring how medical professionals cope with mistakes Get in Touch Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Email us at wrestlingtheoctopusibd@gmail.com All Follow Rachel at @bottomlineibd Follow Nigel at @crohnoid

    28 min

  8. FEB 18

    #28 Wrestling the Octopus IBD is one year old! An anniversary episode of thanks and reflections

    Send us Fan Mail We can hardly believe it's been 12 whole months since we started this podcast on patients' reflections on living with inflammatory bowel disease. Happy first birthday, Wrestling the Octopus IBD! During this year, we have spoken with fellow patients and also healthcare professionals to further patient education on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. We are indebted to all our guests for donating their time so generously, but also to all of you, our listeners, for your supportive comments as we bring our patient experience to the podcast airwaves. In this episode, Nigel and I reflect on our first year of podcasting - with a few conversation tangents thrown in for good measure! Hope you enjoy listening... Follow Rachel at @bottomlineibd Follow Nigel at @crohnoid

    32 min
See All (36)

About

Two long-term IBD patients, Rachel and Nigel, share their experiences and perspectives on living with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis).

Information

  • Creator
    Rachel (@bottomlineibd) and Nigel (@crohnoid)
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Wrestling the Octopus (IBD)
  • Show Website
    Wrestling the Octopus (IBD)