Wrestling the Octopus (IBD)

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

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453562/fan_mail/new] 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

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

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453562/fan_mail/new] 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

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

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453562/fan_mail/new] 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

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

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453562/fan_mail/new] 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

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

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453562/fan_mail/new] 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 conditions * When the risk of thrombosis is highest in inflammatory bowel disease: flares, hospital admissions, surgery and long periods of immobility * How to reduce your clot risk in everyday life: movement, travel tips, smoking, weight, hormones and looking after your general gut health * What to ask your hospital team about clot prevention if you’re admitted or having an operation * Red flag symptoms that should make you seek urgent medical help * The impact of modern biologics and other IBD medicines on clot risk * Women’s health: contraception, HRT, iron deficiency and how to make safer choices if you live with IBD Nigel 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 [https://thrombosisuk.org/]. Follow Rachel at @bottomlineibd Follow Nigel at @crohnoid