I’ve been helping out with quite a few media-related things lately, partly due to people finding the IBS Tales website and partly because it’s currently something called “Gut Week” in the UK, which is an awareness week for stomach and bowel disorders.
So, yesterday I made the very brave decision of saying yes to a live radio interview. In fact, I turned down a live national TV interview (GMTV for the Brits who are interested) because I just thought the chances of me saying intelligent things while looking intelligent were quite low, and the chances of me saying stupid things while looking seasick were quite high. Unfortunate, because it would have been great for IBS, but I honestly didn’t think I could do it.
But I was very brave and did the radio interview instead, and I thought it actually went OK. It was for “Colourful Radio” which I’d never heard of but I think is a soul music kind of station, one of these new ones which are only on digital.
They had a nice doctor on first talking about general “what is IBS” stuff, and then the presenter lady talked to me (over the phone) about my own experiences. She was very nice and actually admitted to having IBS herself which I thought was good of her, and took it seriously rather than making embarrassed jokes about bottoms, which is always a plus.
The only downside to the interview was that I felt there was rather too much emphasis placed on stress as an IBS factor. Stress is a huge trigger in IBS, but I do worry sometimes that interviews like this lead people to believe that the way to deal with IBS is to remove all stress from your life. This is of course a) impossible and b) not true, as there are plenty of people who find that decreasing their stress has no effect on their symptoms.
Still, overall it went well, so I’m quite proud of myself for that, and although I stumbled over my words a few times I thought in general I did OK, and was quite passionate at saying how we should all talk about IBS and not be embarrassed, cause the only thing that comes from embarrassment is more suffering. Which is true.
On top of this, one of my newsletter subscribers is hopefully being interviewed for the November issue of UK Cosmopolitan, which is pretty great – Cosmo has a huge number of readers. I know from personal experience, and from what other people have told me, that publicity for IBS really does help people feel better and seek further treatment, so it’s definitely a worthy cause.
If anyone’s reading this and thinking that you’d like to help out with this kind of publicity, the best thing to do is join the IBS Tales mailing list, because I usually ask for volunteers through my newsletter. There are sometimes added benefits as well – journalists do pay for some stories, or you might get to go to a nice photo shoot (expenses paid), or you might even be invited on live national television! (Not for the cowardly custards.)
Hello
I am glad you had this interview, too bad it was under the “IBS” circumstances.
I believe mine started when I was going through much stress, but I’ve been fine for a year now and it hasn’t gone away, so…
Take care
Ana
Sophie, that’s so great that you did the radio interview. Thanks for your efforts to raise the profile of IBS. You’re right – people definitely need to talk about it more. Good on ya!
Oooh wow I am so impressed. Way to go you!! Making people more aware and understanding is always a good thing.. Well done. xx
Thank you SO much for this site! I’m 19 and just been told I have IBS. My bowels aren’t so bad I can’t cope but I vomit up to 10+ times a day and have that strange symptom of painful sex and the fatigue. I’ve been really down after finding this out but this site has given me hope. It’s wonderful (in the context of not being alone…not that we all suffer!!) to hear that I’m not alone, and it’s lovely to see hope from everyone. Thank you again, you’ve made me realise I can live through this condition. Rachael XXX
Hi all,
I actually help to organise Gut Week and was the one who asked Sophie to do this interview, and I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to you, Sophie, for being brave enough and eloquent enough to do it. I’m sure it’s a terrifying prospect, but I am informed that you handled it like a true professional…! I found out just this morning that the station has 25,000 listeners, so you were speaking to a pretty vast audience – and I feel certain that you would have helped a significant amount of people who may have been suffering and concerned. Thanks again, Sophie – and congratulations again on a continuously excellent and always enlightening blog. I think I’m becoming addicted to it…!! (It’s had some good comments on the Gut Week forums too, you’ll notice!).
All the best – am sure we’ll speak soon!
Sonya xx
I tried the product Digestrol and it made me sick. It ultimately made my suffering worse and I continue to have worse problems than before trying the product. I filed a report with the FDA and I think anyone who has had problems with this product should do the same. Our efforts could get the product banned from being sold. These products that claim to be safe and healthy plus cure problems that medicine cannot are bogus. These companies like Techmedica Health, Inc. are allowed to make false claims and sell these product to millions of people worldwide. We need to stop them and put a ban on Digestrol.