**This is a sponsored post about my frustration with IBS written on behalf of the Picture My IBS initiative. All opinions are my own.** #PictureMyIBS #ad
It happens more than I would like to admit. I get my work out clothes on. I head to my Crossfit Box with energy and enthusiasm and then I feel the churn of my insides that always reminds me that I deal with a mild case of IBS. I am So Over the Frustration with IBS. Irritable Bowel Syndrome rears it’s ugly head more times that I would like to admit. In fact, when I do go to my doctor for anything, I usually fail to mention the reality of dealing with it because I brush it off to something else. ‘I drank too much coffee.’ or ‘I ate something that did not agree with me.’. I’m just…embarrassed, you know? It is an annoying, irritating problem that can cause great discomfort at any time of the day. Usually at the worst times! So, to help build our confidence in being completely honest with our doctors when we go in, the Picture My IBS sweepstakes is encouraging all of us to be more open about this all too common condition! It is time to get creative and share what IBS really looks like to us!
The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), in a collaboration with Allergan and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has created Picture My IBS, an initiative where you can share your feelings and IBS journey through art! Picture My IBS is designed to make us all more comfortable while also giving us a chance to WIN BIG!
The whole point of Picture My IBS is to help people who suffer from it, about 1/3 of the population, find a more comfortable way to talk to their doctor about their symptoms and the reality of living with it. This artwork, of which you can see mine below, shared by real people living with IBS, will help elevate public awareness of IBS and shine a light on the many ways it affects people’s lives. Through art, the hope is that physicians treating IBS will better see into the world of IBS patients — with the ultimate goal of improving patient care. We all want that, right?
Personally, I love this. As a sufferer, I can express my frustration with symptoms that flare up and the stoppage of life that happens when I have to deal with it. Now, listen, I am not an artist. I cannot draw or paint to save my life. But I can illustrate that I usually try to set up my workout station right in front of the ladies bathroom so that, if and when and episode occurs, I can get to a bathroom quickly. I used blue ink in the photo instead of adding other colors to show that having to do this, always having to be on alert, is depressing sometimes. I want to go to the gym, workout and mingle and not have to worry about whether there will be a break for me to go should my IBS flare up!
Draw your photo and submit it and you could WIN BIG!
For the Picture My IBS initiative, a panel of judges will evaluate submitted artwork and the Grand Prize Winner will receive 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. This is such a helpful thing for those of us who may have a hard time talking to our doctors!
Whether you have IBS or you have loved ones that do, Picture My IBS would love to see your artistic expression. Visit PictureMyIBS.org today for details and to enter the contest for a chance to win one of these exciting prizes.
Get to drawing and painting and GOOD LUCK!!
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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