Salix Pharmaceuticals

This IBS Awareness Month, as part of “IBS Symptoms Aren’t Black & White: Living in the Gray,” Salix is partnering with the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) to amplify the real experiences of people living with IBS. Today, we are proud to feature our final patient story of the month, Shannon’s testimonial about living with IBS-M (Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Mixed: Diarrhea and Constipation). Shannon has been living with combination IBS for 20 years, and it all began with extreme stomach aches during her senior year of high school. She faced much discomfort and confusion during what was meant to be a carefree and enjoyable time in her life. “I just remember sitting at the lunch table, thinking, am I going to eat something that will hurt my stomach? Should I sit here and not eat? I was just so embarrassed. I sat there afraid of what I was going to eat, and anxious about what other people would think if I didn’t eat.” At the age of seventeen, Shannon had her first colonoscopy after finding blood in her stool. It came back clean, but she was officially diagnosed with IBS and confirmed lactose-intolerant. Condition persisting, Shannon was stepping into adulthood, filled with profound concern about her health and the seemingly limited treatment options available. “I just had to live with it. Diarrhea, constipation, I never knew which one it was gonna be.” By the time Shannon was 23, she was fed up with her complicated, unpredictable symptoms and her inability to manage them. She went back for another colonoscopy and a biopsy, but her diagnosis was still “just IBS.” She struggled to find a management option that worked for her, and her condition persisted. “Back when I was a TV reporter, I was often stuck on assignments for hours, with no idea whether I’d even have access to a bathroom. I told some of my immediate managers about my condition, but they didn’t understand. They didn’t see it as a real issue. Few realize that even when you’re doing everything you can to manage it, IBS is still unpredictable.” Since her days on air, Shannon has found ways to manage her condition, but she still struggles with unexpected symptoms and challenges on a regular basis. She believes it is important to speak transparently about her experience, and encourages others to do the same, to help destigmatize IBS and improve how the condition is treated. “Whether it is your stress levels, food, work, or other aspects of day-to-day life, those things can impact IBS symptoms – and those things are different for everyone. Life looks different for each person, and as a result, so does IBS. I wish more people understood that IBS isn’t black and white.” #IBSSymptoms #LivingInTheGray

We see your potential! Salix is excited to once again offer ten scholarships to outstanding students living with the challenges of a #GI disease or disorder to aid in pursuing their higher education goals. Don't miss the application period. https://lnkd.in/e3a-qXYP

We're excited to announce that we'll be attending the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) Conference! Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn, connect, and explore with us as we host a Product Theater with Dr. Marina Roytman or meet us at the Salix event booth 101! #SHM2025

We understand that living with IBS can be challenging and impact one's day-to-day activities. That's why, in our dedication to improving the lives of patients, we observe #WorldIBSDay2025 to raise awareness about IBS and help patients overcome the stigma surrounding their symptoms. #IBSAwarenessMonth #SalixPharmaceuticals

This IBS Awareness Month, Salix is partnering with the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) to amplify the real experiences of people living with IBS. Today, as part of “IBS Symptoms Aren’t Black & White: Living in the Gray,” we are proud to feature the story of Chris – mom and nurse living with IBS-D (Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Diarrhea). During her teenage years, Chris sensed that something was off with her bowels. However, when she was younger, people often didn't take IBS seriously, so she felt embarrassed to discuss it. Chris went undiagnosed and untreated for 10+ years, suffering from severe abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and other unpredictable symptoms. “I’m a nurse – my condition made my job nearly impossible. Most nurses barely have time to use the bathroom at all during their shift, let alone every hour or more. There was a time where I was stopping for the bathroom three times on the way to work; I only live 15 minutes away. My IBS was affecting every minute of every day.” Chris’ condition worsened after the birth of her second child. She was struggling with the emotional toll of IBS, which further triggered her physical symptoms. She faced extreme weight loss of nearly 40 pounds during that period, and sometimes, she didn’t leave the house for days. “It didn’t just impact my work, but my personal life, too. My husband is very social and loves to travel, so we’d go to the Caribbean with friends, and sometimes plan a day trip on a catamaran boat. I just remember preparing for it, and you think you’re ready. But suddenly 5 minutes before the boat is about to arrive, you’re not ready. Everyone’s on the boat waiting for you, and you’re stuck in the bathroom. Panicking, taking meds, doing whatever you can to resolve the issue. Sometimes I wouldn’t eat for 24 hours just to go on these trips.” A turning point for Chris came while she was at work one day – she saw an advertisement for a doctor specializing in women’s gastrointestinal health at the hospital where she worked. Chris quickly made an appointment with the GI, and after meeting with her, things began to change. She felt comfortable discussing her complex symptoms. Her doctor began running tests. Finally, Chris had found someone who understood her struggle, and believed progress was possible. Chris now has a clear management plan and knowledge of her triggers. She’s doing well, but her symptoms can still be unpredictable at times. However, thanks to the support of her understanding doctor, Chris is now able to speak honestly about all her symptoms and has found ways to live with her condition more comfortably. She encourages other patients to seek a doctor who can help them do the same. #IBSSymptoms #LivingInTheGray

Want a $10,000 scholarship for your higher education? We're accepting applications for our scholarship program that recognizes outstanding students living with gastrointestinal (#GI) disease and disorders. https://lnkd.in/e3a-qXYP

Living with a #GI condition can make it challenging to pursue higher education. The Salix Gastrointestinal Health Scholars Awards were created to help patients achieve their academic goals. Learn more. https://lnkd.in/e3a-qXYP

This IBS Awareness Month, as part of “IBS Symptoms Aren’t Black & White: Living in the Gray,” Salix is partnering with the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) to amplify the real experiences of people living with IBS. Today, we are proud to feature Julie’s powerful story about living with IBS-C (Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Constipation). About 30 years ago, Julie began struggling with constipation and abdominal pain, but she had no idea it was IBS-C until she was hospitalized due to abdominal pain. Suddenly faced with a new diagnosis and the psychological challenges that accompanied it, Julie feared the winding road ahead. Now, Julie has learned to live with her condition, manage her symptoms and is motivated to increase awareness about the complexities of IBS. “This condition is with me every day. I follow my treatment and management plan, but it’s a gray issue. When it gets really bad, it’s like labor pains. This makes it really difficult to go to any event, because I have to plan ahead and oftentimes, people don’t understand. I get anxious and fearful about how to navigate it, but I work hard to make a game plan. Sometimes you just need to take space for yourself to relax. It’s a big strategy.” As an athlete, Julie works hard to prioritize her health so she can continue to do what she loves and stay on her game. She swims, instructs pilates and yoga, and walks on a daily basis. She prioritizes fiber in her morning smoothies. While IBS-C has caused Julie to miss some days of training and restricted her abilities at times, her experience has also reinforced the importance of staying active – both for managing her physical symptoms as well as helping her mental wellbeing. Julie says her condition “hasn’t been disabling,” but that managing it has been incredibly challenging, and it is often misunderstood, even by friends and family. She encourages others with stories like hers to speak up about their symptoms to bolster camaraderie in the community and help get the word out about the complexities of IBS. “It's great to have a group who you can confide in and talk to about these issues. Once you know it’s okay to cross over to these conversations, it opens a great dialogue of sharing experiences.” #IBSSymptoms #LivingInTheGray

This IBS Awareness Month, as part of “IBS Symptoms Aren’t Black & White: Living in the Gray,” Salix is partnering with the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) to amplify the real experiences of people living with IBS. Today, we are proud to feature Loretta’s inspiring story about living with IBS-D (Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Diarrhea). At first, Loretta ignored her #IBS symptoms. She was a junior in college, busy with schoolwork and friends, and didn’t know what was happening with her stomach – or what it meant. Before long, Loretta was impaired by completely unpredictable symptoms, and her condition was controlling every aspect of her life. She couldn’t even run to the grocery store without disruption. “It was so isolating. There were few things I could eat or drink without abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating. I was so desperate to find out what was wrong and was constantly looking for answers. It was exhausting.” Loretta has since found a supportive and understanding doctor who diagnosed her with IBS-D and helped her find management and treatment options that work for her. She still lives with unpredictable symptoms sometimes, but she finally feels like her life is back in her control. “I want people to understand that during this time, my life was on hold. I had to withdraw from classes at my university. I couldn’t go on an airplane or a car ride longer than two hours. I could barely go to the grocery store. It was even hard to drive because of the pressure it put on my abdomen while sitting. I couldn’t wear jeans, and I didn’t eat pizza for four years. I couldn’t work a job. I was in so much pain, watching my friends progress while I couldn’t.” Despite her experiences, Loretta looks back on her complex journey as a “blessing in disguise.” The suffering she endured and the lack of clarity she felt around her symptoms and diagnosis have since motivated her desire to improve care for others living with IBS. Now, Loretta is deeply involved in the IBS community and is even pursuing a career as a gastroenterologist. “When things aren’t going your way, it’s easy to be a negative person. But you can’t stop, you have to look for the positives and keep going. It felt like my pain would last forever. But now, I’m studying for the MCAT, and I eat pizza all the time. I’m not just the girl with IBS. I’m Loretta and I like cats and gardening and going to the beach.” #IBSSymptoms #LivingInTheGray

In honor of IBS Awareness Month, we at Salix are pleased to announce the launch of “IBS Symptoms Aren’t Black & White: Living in the Gray,” an authentic storytelling campaign that aims to address the complexities of living with irritable bowel syndrome (#IBS). We are partnering with the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), to amplify real patient experiences on social media. Throughout the month of April, IBS Awareness Month, we will be sharing patient stories on our LinkedIn channel, highlighting the unique journeys of individuals living with IBS. By normalizing open and honest discussions about IBS, we hope to motivate patients to talk to their healthcare providers about the full range of their IBS symptoms, and ultimately help improve how IBS is perceived, diagnosed and treated. Stay tuned for patient stories on our channel throughout the month and read more about the campaign here: #IBSSymptoms #LivingInTheGray https://lnkd.in/eGsDCVtY