Picture My IBS- What it really looks like

This is a sponsored post written on behalf of the Picture My IBS initiative.

This post is super honest, and super personal. I want to be upfront about it. The topic on hand is IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome). It’s one of those things, that unless you have it or a close friend/family that does, you probably don’t think about. This post, is to bring IBS more into the public eye, show you how real this really is.

For the most part I’m an open book. If someone has a question about one of my illnesses, I tell it like it is. I don’t talk around it, and I certainly don’t sugar coat it (a blessing and a curse). There was a survey taken in 2015 that showed people would rather talk about an STD than IBS, even with their own dr. When I read that, I was like, “wait, what?!” I would definitely be more uncomfortable discussing how I got an STD than discuss how my body reacts to different things.

Living with IBS can be difficult as you don’t know when symptoms will arise and when they won’t (at least for me). One day I will have a lot of issues, and the other, those same triggers won’t do a thing. I also have to remember, that everyone is a little different and show symptoms differently. For me, I react a lot to different foods. Like I said before, one day I’ll be ok and another not. So, it’s not that ONE food type, which makes it difficult to isolate the real cause. Going out to eat can be very difficult as I don’t know if I will have a reaction right there in the restaurant or not.The term “food baby” is so real for me and others that have IBS. Bloating is no joke. If you think you have IBS, talk to your dr, don’t be afraid. I’m pretty sure they have seen just about everything, and they can always refer to another dr if they aren’t sure how to help you.

In an effort to create a better way to communicate The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) has collaborated with Allergan and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, in a campaign called Picture My IBS. They are asking people to create original pieces of art to show their IBS journey. Not only does it show their medical team, but others as well what they go through.

It's fun to create art, but even better when there is a prize involved. There will be a panel of judges to evaluate all the entries. Prizes are:  a trip for two to a luxury hotel and spa in New York City, and five Honorable Mention Winners will receive a $100 American Express gift card.  All winning art will also be featured on the Picture My IBS website, so even if you don’t win, your art will still be seen my millions.

So, go create some awesome art, submit (you never know if you will win, if you don’t try), and share with others.

Please share with me as well, your experiences with IBS if you have it, or even better, your artwork.

This is a sponsored post written on behalf of the Picture My IBS initiative. *NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE FIFTY UNITED STATES, D.C., AGE 18 OR OVER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. THE SPONSORS OF THE CONTEST ARE ALLERGAN USA, INC. WITH AN OFFICE AT HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER; PLAZA V, SUITE 1900; JERSEY CITY, NJ 07302; IRONWOOD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. WITH AN OFFICE AT 301 BINNEY STREET, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02142; AND THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF GASTROENTEROLOGY. APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE OF ALL PRIZES IS $6,500. ODDS OF WINNING DEPEND ON NUMBER AND QUALITY OF ENTRIES RECEIVED. ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1, 2016 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2017. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLY. PLEASE SEE COMPLETE CONTEST TERMS AND CONDITIONS AT PICTUREMYIBS.ORG.

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This is a sponsored post written on behalf of the Picture My IBS Initiative. financial compensation was received for this post. The sponsor and any compensation received for this post in no way affected my opinion or any statements presented in this post. Top Notch Material blog always provides honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products and services reviewed. If you have any questions or would like your product, service or company featured on Top Notch Material, please contact katrina  from Top Notch Material at katrina dot gehman {at} gmail [dot] com. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.