IBS Game Changers share their stories
6 years ago, after months of chronic discomfort and pain, my first colonoscopy, and endoscopy I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). My Western medicine GI doctor told me to follow a low FODMAP diet, gave me a 1-page piece of paper with a list of foods to avoid, and sent me on my way. After years of limiting the foods I could eat, seeking help from Eastern medicine practitioners, and dreading every time I was faced with eating outside of my house, I was still experiencing chronic pain. Over the last year, the pain had increased significantly, and my normal coping mechanisms weren’t working. I started seeing @fullcirclewellnesssc weekly for acupuncture while I waited for another colonoscopy, abdominal MRI, and contrast CT scan. The tests came back with inflamed intestines, diverticula, and ultimately again a diagnosis of IBS. During this time my amazing friend @queenlunchlady heard a woman speak at a conference about food and gut health. She texted me during her speech and told me to call her immediately. At my first introductory appointment with Katherine Aitken-Young, @ibsgamechanger,I knew I had finally found someone that was listening to me and really understood what I was experiencing, there was a glimmer of hope that I might be able to get my symptoms under control. After meeting with Katherine weekly to start and continuing to see Kristin for acupuncture I finally started to feel better. Today my symptoms are 95% improved and I am even able to eat some foods I avoided in the past.
I wrote this testimonial as a thank you to Katherine and Kristin because I truly believe it was a combo of both of their care that made me better, but also to try and get the word out to other people who are suffering from GI symptoms. Unfortunately, our current healthcare system has a limited view of how to help patients. I am fortunate enough that I could afford to seek this type of care that typical health insurance wouldn’t cover, but not all people have these resources. If you know someone struggling with IBS or other GI symptoms, please share this information with them and hopefully, they can find the relief I did. Thank you, Katherine, and Kristin!
- Nicole, California, USA
Katherine is an extraordinary coach. Her knowledge of FODMAPs is deep and extensive. Her coaching sessions helped me adopt a low FODMAP diet, stay on it, and test every sugar to understand which ones I could tolerate and which I could not. Katherine responds to questions quickly and in a detailed and personal manner. Her follow-up emails, which arrived promptly after each coaching session, were tailored to my personal reactions and questions and showed that she had been paying careful attention to my specific issues and needs. I no longer have IBS symptoms. I know what I can and can’t eat to stay healthy and pain-free. Additionally, my balanced blood sugar is one of the most amazing results from all of this. I’m so happy.
Katherine is a blessing in the world.
- Kathleen, California, United States
“I would never have been able to do this on my own! I have learned a lot about my body and it is so good to finally feel good after suffering for so many years. Katherine is a wealth of knowledge and very patient with all my questions. She helped me understand what IBS triggers are and how to avoid them. And she helped me learn that I need to change my way of eating, thinking, and grocery shopping. She showed me how to get creative with my cooking so I can eat and enjoy every bite without triggering any symptoms.
Katherine changed my life for the better. Her program is worth every penny.”
— Jan, California, United States (with Bryn Aitken-Young)
“I came into the IBS Game Changer program with an open mind, excited about learning how to balance my life as well as understand the foods that affect my body. My daily life was a sore stomach, bloating, cramping and taking medications to keep it under control. I am just past the half way point of my challenge and not only have I not had an extreme stomach issue, but have not taken any medications since beginning the program. I am learning new recipes, how to manage stress, how to read those labels, and most importantly how to take care of myself. I am so thankful for this program and Katherine for helping me. I am learning to take control and manage one day at a time!”
— Amy, Texas, United States
“I have lived with my IBS symptoms for many years – brushing it off, thinking it would somehow resolve on its own. Several doctor’s visits and no resolution, I identified onions, garlic and lactose as triggers. However, I was still having symptoms. After recently being diagnosed and treated for ovarian cancer, I decided I needed to get my IBS symptoms under control. This would help me to see if my cancer was coming back, since IBS symptoms and ovarian cancer symptoms can be similar. I’m so grateful for Katherine’s guidance – her knowledge and experience has helped me overcome my symptoms! Now, for the first time I feel like I’m in control of how I feel and no longer have the fear of an IBS attack and what it might mean. I’m also enjoying her tasty recipes and have learned how to adjust my own to accommodate a low-FODMAP way of life. My family enjoys the recipes too, which makes my life easier. If you are struggling with IBS symptoms, I encourage you to make a consult appointment and get started with Katherine!”
— Leslie, California, United States
“When you are not feeling well, gaining weight, low energy, you often go online and find so many health tips. Top 10 healthy vegetables, top 10 meals to lose weight and so much more. However, when you have IBS none of these top 10 are the right fit. Katherine helped me to find my own personal list of things to eat, meals to cook, and activities to feel really great! It's not always easy but with Katherine as your coach for sure, you will find your own personal list of things to eat and do to feel great!”
— Mariette, Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Costa Rica
“I credit the IBS Game Changer program with reducing my anxiety about leaving the house and worrying about how I might feel. I was skeptical because I have tried so many things to get my stomach under control. I was on the rollercoaster of taking meds to limit any chance of diarrhea if I needed to leave the house, just to realize I would be constipated a day later. It would trigger my anxiety. It was a vicious cycle of my mind making my stomach upset and my upset stomach making me anxious. It had to stop! I had to figure out what was triggering my IBS. After going through the program I was able to take out key triggers that made me feel bad. For the first time in a long time, I can now leave the house without worry. It has truly been life-changing. ”
— Wendy, California, United States