The Food Hospital

Crohn's Disease Forum

Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:

Astra

Astra

Moderator
Joined
Jan 21, 2010
Messages
4,953
Hiya everybody,

before I start I would like to mention by no means is this Lauras fault, this is poor researchers on the programme The Food Hospital, channel 4, 15/11/11
I'm not one for complaining usually, but felt incensed to email channel 4 about their misrepresentation of Crohn's.
The programme started off well, showing a detailed account of an IBD, I got quite excited at this point, at last, awareness!
But then failed miserably. It didn't even mention other EIMs such as joint pain, or the fact that everyone with Crohn's is different. No mention of surgery, other meds, etc
The Food Hospital sent out the wrong message to non Crohnies, it's just bloating with skin rashes!
here's my reply


Dear Mrs Burrows,

Thank you for contacting Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries regarding THE FOOD HOSPITAL.

We are sorry to hear that you feel this programme did not give the correct information regarding this disease.

Please be assured your complaint has been logged and noted for the information of those responsible for our programming.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate all feedback from our viewers; complimentary or otherwise.

Regards,

Grace Dawson
Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries

Hope I'm not out of order here peeps?
But we need awareness and a high profile channel had the opportunity to raise it, but instead informed the viewers that it could be 'cured' with diet.
I'm sorry if this offends Laura and Emma but it had to be said.
I'm grumpy, I'm off work, in pain, full of a cold and miserable
xxx
 
I'm not in the UK and didn't see the show, but if it bugged you Astra, enough to send an email to them, then I am sure it was annoying.
The premise of the whole show seems to be that food can cure anything, and so it sets itself up for failure. A great shame that they appear to have overlooked so many of the issues involved in dealing with Crohns, other than diet.
(And yeah, no offense to the brave girl who took part in the show - good on you!)
 
I must admit that I had similar misgivings about the programme Joan. Although I did think it was very interesting about treatment without drugs it didn't seem to mention half of the symptoms that we all on here know well. It didn't even seem to make much of a point about the dreaded d.
Of course I was very glad that it helped Laura I wished it had given a more in depth description of the variety of the disease.
The website though does seem more in depth and there's a great link to an NHS site about treatment called the map of medicine which I had never seen before.
I'm glad you wrote to channel 4 about this Joan. Hopefully next time they'll be more informed!
Hope you feel better soon
 
Was it just me, or was the diet they were recommending not new? They said the LOFLEX diet was being 'pioneered' by Addenbrooks, perhpans it now has a posh name but it's certainly not news to me, I was put on that 15 years ago when I was first diagnosed! I agree that it's great that it helped Laura, but didn't think it gave enough information or context at all!
 
Astra said:
But we need awareness and a high profile channel had the opportunity to raise it, but instead informed the viewers that it could be 'cured' with diet.
Click to expand...

That's right, they said that! Recently I saw a book on amazon that claims to do exactly that too. :ywow: There is no cure for our disease! Grump over now, sorry! x
 
It seemed to me they didn't want to mention diarrhoea, blood, vomiting etc - preferred socially more acceptable rashes and bloating etc!
As for the diet...as said nothing new, been there done that and will wear my tshirt with lots of others on here.
 
Tinkerbelle, was the book you saw on Amazon called Inflammatory bowel disease by professor John Hunter ?As he is he is from Addenbrookes and he developed the lofflex diet with the dietiticians there.
 
Well done Joan, I was quite peed off with the show tbh, espesh seeing as they only mentioned a few symptoms. I felt that from this show you'll just get busy bodies saying 'well it said ..... on the food hospital so why aren't you doing that?? After all it did cure that girl' etc etc
xx
 
Yeah, well done for emailing them!
I was suprised by the symptoms list too. I feel a bit disapointed as I know a lot of people who know I have crohn's and would have thought about me when watching it and they didn't mention so many things!
Thinking about it, the concentrated more on d when they spoke about IBS last week.
 
Hi- Just watched it, and felt disappointed.
On another note, one of my friends has just finished a degree in Media and Film Studies, so I suddenly had a brain wave and thought why doesn't someone who suffers from this horrendous illness actually MAKE a program about it, thats factual and representative. At the moment I feel quite low with this illness and thought why don't I try and put this negative energy into making something about it, to raise awareness? I know its only in the planning stage, but I am hoping that somehow I could get channel 4 interested if i do a good enough design plan.
Therefore, I know what I want to do myself, and if people think its a good enough idea, whether you could put down ideas of what you think a program on Crohns should contain!?
 
Hi, it was so disappointing. It made me feel like it is my own fault I had to have surgery, because all I really had to do was follow a diet! What utter rubbish. I have tried everything, and I still have more surgery planned.

I had told my family to watch this programme and now I feel like they are misinformed.

Sorry, feeling sorry for myself this week lol xxxx
 
Excellent!
In fact, my daughter is doing the exact same course at Leeds Uni!
Oh wow, start a thread 'what would you like to see in a TV programme about Crohn's?'
You'll get a great response straight from the Horse's Mouth (this forum)
 
I actually felt like sending a similar email, And it wouldn't shock me if more people did. Like I said in the other thread I was dissapointed. Like Astra has already said, this certainly isn't a pop at Laura in anyway, more the show and the researchers who just didn't put across the full extent of how Crohn's disease can affect people. I asked friends to watch it hoping they would have a better idea off what Crohns disease is and what it does to people, yet now they probably think its a bowel disorder that gives you a nasty rash and can be just cured by diet. It didn't even acknowledge the fact that 80% of sufferers will ultimately need surgery and probably end up with some form of ostomy. however this would of just proved the show wrong, which was trying to prove the right foods can cure illnesses, which in a small minority may be the case. The website did seem to have more details, but this was a missed opportunity imo to finally get some recognition/awareness of what crohns is and the many different ways in which people suffer because of it, and it gave a totally false account imo, and left me in an ever harder position of explaining how crohns affects me after they've seen that.
 
I didn't watch the programme last night but I'm about to 4od it now - it's such a shame it seems like it misrepresented Crohn's disease for so many people who are really suffering. I always liked channel4 but I'm wondering how I'll look at their documentaries again after I've watched The Food Hospital.
 
rob101 said:
Tinkerbelle, was the book you saw on Amazon called Inflammatory bowel disease by professor John Hunter ?As he is he is from Addenbrookes and he developed the lofflex diet with the dietiticians there.
Click to expand...

Hi Rob, no it was by some woman.... found it:

Controlling Crohn's Disease: The Natural Way by Virginia Harper and Tom Monte x
 
Why do they keep talking about steroids as the most common treatment - there are lots of treatments for Crohn's, and what about Remicade? Hmmmm I'm not liking it so far, and it didn't even mention diarrhoea!!
 
hannah-rose said:
Why do they keep talking about steroids as the most common treatment - there are lots of treatments for Crohn's, and what about Remicade? Hmmmm I'm not liking it so far, and it didn't even mention diarrhoea!!
Click to expand...

If I remember correctly, I don't think diarrhoea gets mentioned once. And didn't you know the right diet or steroids are the only treatment options available?..... The annoying thing is that whenever I've been on steroids, along with most of the people on this forum have only been on them short term or as a quick fix whilst other drugs are given time to get in the system.

I'm beginning to wonder if they were purposely holding back to keep the gruesome details off the telly, although this hasn't stopped them with other programs like embarrassing bodies, which incidentally also had someone with crohns on, but again details where kept to a minimum. and also another C4 program.
 
I completely agree - I was aware that steroids were used relatively short term to get flare symptoms under control when it's necessary, and biologics and immunosuppresents and other drugs were used to control symptoms and maintain remission over longer periods of time.


It is frustrating because it's just basically incorrect information, and I know if I had severe digestive symptoms I would be very angry at the way Crohns is being depicted. Obviously Im not surprised that theyre not talking about anal disease but no one wants to hear about that on tv!

I applied to be on embarassing bodies live in the clinic - I even had a chat with one of the maverick tv researchers and sent in photos of my butt and everything. They said they'd try and feature me but they didnt. I'm not surprised really, the photos of my butt are pretty gruesome even by embarassing bodies standards!
 
I did mention the steroids to someone at work who asked about the show. On the show itimplies that Laura had no option to take steroids every month, which I though was odd when generally a course lasts at least 6 weeks. And I did get asked how come I don't have mouth sores!
 
Hannah, they've already featured an anal prolapse on Embarrassing Bodies!

In my email to Channel 4 I stressed the importance of this diet being monitored by the patient's consultant; about people taking this as 'the norm' and stopping their meds; about how a person with Crohn's needs to have some degree of remission in order for this diet to work; and how I was disgusted with the notion that Crohn's is just bloating and skin rashes. And so on, it was quite long!

If I don't get a reply within the next 7 days from the programme makers I'm writing to Ofcom (the Office of Communications) to ask for The Food Hospital to rephrase their interpretation of Crohn's with the facts in a future episode of the programme.
 
Astra said:
Hannah, they've already featured an anal prolapse on Embarrassing Bodies!

In my email to Channel 4 I stressed the importance of this diet being monitored by the patient's consultant; about people taking this as 'the norm' and stopping their meds; about how a person with Crohn's needs to have some degree of remission in order for this diet to work; and how I was disgusted with the notion that Crohn's is just bloating and skin rashes. And so on, it was quite long!

If I don't get a reply within the next 7 days from the programme makers I'm writing to Ofcom (the Office of Communications) to ask for The Food Hospital to rephrase their interpretation of Crohn's with the facts in a future episode of the programme.
Click to expand...

great stuff, hopefully they will take note of what you are telling them!
 
Astra said:
Hannah, they've already featured an anal prolapse on Embarrassing Bodies!
Click to expand...

Yes I saw that episode! Was quite freaky, I hope I never have any sort've post-childbirth prolapse, anal or otherwise...

Photobucket deleted my butt photo but I thought Dr Christian would be more open minded :(

I think you should approach ofcom if you don't get an apology because I agree with everyone in this thread - Crohn's has been misrepresented in this programme
 
It was ridiculous. We know there's no "typical" case of Crohn's, but anyone who watched that with no prior knowledge of it will think that Laura's case is typical and will be convinced that it can be cured by this diet. Other than of Laura's visible symptoms, they didn't mention the most common symptoms and how embarrassing it can be from that point of view.

Someone on Twitter when I was looking through the things mentioning it seemed offended for another reason: he felt they portrayed her case of Crohn's as being worse than it is... in other words not as bad as his... Of all the things wrong with the programme, that defnitely wasn't one of them. I felt really sorry for her.

I'm not sure if it broke any rules or if it could count as misrepresentation, but if it turns out it did, OfCom should be contacted! Well done for e-mailing Channel 4, but their reply just sounds like their bog standard fobbing off one :(.

EDIT: I just saw your comments about psoriasis, and I was reading some psoriasis forums' reactions to it earlier and they seem pretty annoyed as well.
 
I've tweeted Dr Christian for his opinion on the representation of Crohn's in the show.

I <3 Dr Christian I hope he tweets back.

Ps PortableAfternoon I agree wholeheartedly
 
Lol why ot loads of people tweet him - and he usually replies. I have a bit of a crush on his medical brain.

I think its hannarwillis but I don't use it too much its mostly for trying to network for jobs. My life's a bit boring so no one wants to read my tweets.
 
'and I was reading some psoriasis forums' reactions to it earlier and they seem pretty annoyed as well.'

Brill, I'm glad

but I'm not naive enough to believe that Ofcom give a rat's arse but it would be great if the Food Hospital acknowledged their mistake, wouldn't it?
Channel 4 haven't broke any rules per se, but broadcasters get away with murder due to poor researchers and that surgeon bloke Shor summit or other should've known better before he opened his Pinocchio gob!
 
I didn't mean your post was OT hannah, lol, just mine was going OT in asking for your addy. I tend to phrase things the wrong way!.....
 
Haha oh right! It is OT asking for my twitter addy because my tweets are so dull but I do have fb

Oh you just added me, ok no need for me to type 'I do have fb' then.

I think the Doctors on the food hospital are far too goodlooking to be real Doctors anyway. I hope this situation gets resolved eventually I cant wait to see if channel4 reply to you Astra. For now though, nighty night all xx
 
I've sky+ it (recorded it) and will try and find time to watch it over the weekend.

I suggest we all, or those that have actually watched it, send a disgruntled email and let's see if us crohnies get another mention on a future episode, just so we can 1) highlight their poor research and most importantly 2) give people out there a true picture of this disease which ISN'T curable and ISN'T someone who just has an "upset tummy"..

It's already annoyed me and I haven't even watched it?!

Who's with me???!!
 
I'm worried about people giving me advice from that as well now.
I'm doing a degree in Human Nutrition, so I have found the programme interesting to watch from that point of view and I do worry about how the general public view it. They need to emphesize how extreme some of their diets are. At the end of every programme they should tell people to consult their doctor and to follow a healthy balanced diet unless otherwise told by a specialist.
Also, I get enough grief from my friends about how I should ask to see a dietition (I have never been offered any dietary advice for Crohn's) and now I just see this being more frequent even though I don't think changing my diet would help me with my symptoms.
 
I'm still yet to watch this documentary but have it on sky and ready to go! I'm gutted to hear that it wasnt a fair representation of the disease. Definitely worth writing a complaint. TV channels have gone reality TV mad though. At the moment I can hear my parents in the other room watching a programme titled 'A gypsy life for me' that looks at the lives of travellers - maybe they should do a Crohn's equivalent. I can see the title now - 'A ****** life for me'! haha Pardon the pun but couldnt resist it. I love my dad jokes! :)

Hannah I really think you should blog your opinion on The Food Hospital :) I LOVE your writing style!

x
 
OK.... how about everyone watch the show again and realise that your being far to miserable and negative and perhaps should smile and be positive ?!?!?!?!

Firstly they said Crohns is incurable!

Secondly they said symptoms 'MAY' include.... XY&Z

Thirdly the 'SAFE FOODS' that are included in the LOFFLEX diet work for 95% of crohns sufferer's- which in 8/9 years of having crohn's disease i have NEVER been told about by any doctor SO THANK YOU channel 4 for telling me about this! I suggest Astra you should not 'shame' channel 4.... Cos they've done a hell of a lot of good for me and loads of the other people on the show .... FOR EXAMPLE did you see the very young boy on the first episode who suffered from migraines??? and used to say to his mum 'i want to die????' well he doesn't have migraines any more thanks to channel4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fourthly - This is a show NOT about crohns but about DIET.... thus they had like 10 mins to explain crohns - explain MY crohns and explain what might work for me.... and thus other people with crohns too.... it doesnt mean it will work for everyone. BUT i guarantee there are more people out there who it will benefit.

Fifthly they explain that is a 'TOOL' (not a 'cure') for me for life- for remission- for flare ups.

They explain crohns pretty dam well within like 10 mins- for people with or without crohns. If you wanna go into detail about crohns then you'd have to read books, read all research articles, watch documentaries, speak to LOADS of dif people with dif symptoms/stories etc etc etc

they ask me 'how are you feeling about YOUR ability to manage YOUR crohns'.... not everyones crohns in the world!

then i explain that 'it is definitely an ongoing process which i learn more about as i go along that there'll always be a trigger food but iv learnt more knowledge about recognising symptoms etc etc'

THEY end on the phrase if i can continue to do my own research on my self.... there is a CHANCE that i could put my crohns into remission for life'

AND you know what... there is a CHANCE (theres a chance for EVERYONE)

you can either believe that- try the diet, try other diets, try other treatments and have the hope and faith that you could also have a CHANCE of being in remission for life...... or you can be negative!


LITTLEMISH.... 'preferred socially more acceptable rashes and bloating' the fact that my rashes have so far not come back because i make sure i dont eat/drink the foods that caused them is Blooming amazing for me----- since SOCIABLY rashes on my body would NOT be acceptable for a dancer like myself..... - thanks again channel4

oh MAN i now feel like the only person with crohns who found this programme useful and good cheers guys!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Hello Laura,

I'm sorry to hear u sounding so upset so just thought I'd post a quick reply. I've been reading everyones comments regarding The Food Hospital and have repeatedly found people saying how brave you have been. I personally haven't yet watched it but have it taped and will be doing soon. Nobody means to hurt your feelings but since the disease it so different in the way it effects people there are bound to be people who feel disappointed if their main symptoms aren't explained extensively. I agree that a positive attitude and diet can be beneficial and hope to pick up some useful tips. Maybe this programme has merely highlighted that crohns cannot be adequetely explained in such a short slot. It's possible channel 4 would satisfy more crohns sufferers if they did one show fully dedicated to it. Please don't feel disheartened with the response. Everyone appreciates the awareness and admires the strength you shown. Maybe more stories just need to be told. I will watch the show myself very soon.

Hope you are well,

Becky x
 
I'm glad to hear the program has made a difference in your life and your disease, however that doesn't mean the complaints voiced in this forum aren't valid. I think the response seen in this thread clearly demonstrates that our community doesn't feel well represented by the show. I know I agree with them.

Also there's a difference between believing something is important and wanting to discuss it and "being negative."
 
diesanduhr said:
I'm glad to hear the program has made a difference in your life and your disease, however that doesn't mean the complaints voiced in this forum aren't valid. I think the response seen in this thread clearly demonstrates that our community doesn't feel well represented by the show. I know I agree with them.

Also there's a difference between believing something is important and wanting to discuss it and "being negative."
Click to expand...

What a brilliant post! Exactly what I was thinking! :thumleft:
 
I had a funny feeling we would see a reaction like this. And as I've already stated you shouldn't take it so personally because no ones having a pop at you in anyway. The Show was about treating a particular case of Crohn's disease by diet. Which they did. So as far as the show's target was concerned it was a success, And I'm glad things have worked out for you. The show obviously covered your particular case of crohns disease very well, But a lot of people are dissapointed that a broader image of what crohns disease can be like wasn't given, and they have every right to be. It's the first time i have ever seen crohns disease even mentioned on tv, and they could have done a little bit more to create awareness about it, even if it went slightly off the shows point of just treating one case (and possibly however many people have the same symptoms) by diet.

If in 8/9 years you have never once been told about how diet can affect crohns, or about the lofflex diet then that is a poor representation of your doctors tbh. The lofflex diet is nothing new, and even if you look back through this forum you will find topics about it dating back a few years. It has worked for some, whilst for others it hasn't made a blind bit of difference.

"you can either believe that- try the diet, try other diets, try other treatments and have the hope and faith that you could also have a CHANCE of being in remission for life...... or you can be negative!"

I wish it was that simple, I've tried diets, I've gone through every treatment available, and yes I even remained positive during what where very hard times...But that hasn't sorted things for me, and im sure its the same for a lot of people around here. So ill stay being "negative"....
 
Also, Laura, I am so pleased this has worked for you, rarely are chronies lucky enough to get relief from their symptoms. I think most of our frustrations are about Channel 4 and the way they suggest CD can be 'fixed' or 'helped' with diet . . . . having been suffering for 10 years (which is NOTHING compared to some guys on here) I've tried most things and found no relief. Also the way the condition was portrayed has meant I've had 4 seperate people contact me this week telling me I should try this diet because 'it really works' . . . . I've tried, it doesn't help me at all. We do all wish you well, and are pleased it's working for you. We would just have liked C4 to be a bit more 'all encompassing' in their explanations. CD is hidden and people don't undderstand it, unfortunately, it is often left to the media to inform people, and the did a poor job.
 
Laura as I mentioned, this has nothing to do with you, I'm very pleased that YOUR symptoms have reduced.
People with Crohn's need people with awareness, people who they work with, family and friends.
This programme sent out the wrong message to the unaware I'm afraid.

You don't know me at all, the people on this forum do, and they know I'm not a negative person. I am very positive, either that, or I'll just may as well lie down and die! I've been dealing with this condition for over 20 years.
There's no way the LOFFLEX diet would've saved my life last year, I nearly died, so count yourself lucky that YOUR symptoms are mild and that YOUR Crohn's can be helped with diet every month.
So please don't get the wrong impression of us on this forum that we're all negative and miserable.
We all have our own cross to bear
I'm not getting into any confrontation about this, this is something I strongly believe in; raising awareness and Channel 4 failed miserably after getting all our hopes up.
Peace
 
To be honest channel four also failed to show the lofflex diet in a realistic and rounded way ,whether that was down to bad editing ,time constraints or what ! I am on this diet and it is carefully monitored and you are told which foods to introduce and when .In the programe it all seemed very haphazard Laura introduced wheat first whereas it should be one of the last to be introduced. I know if it was being monitored by Addenbrookes or by the tv Dietitian.
Its a shame as it could of been so informative.
 
@ Astra ~ Everyone here knows how wonderful you are. You are always one who lifts us and puts smiles on our faces. What would we ever do without happy caring people like you, love?
 
Porkpie84 said:
Hannah I really think you should blog your opinion on The Food Hospital :) I LOVE your writing style!
Click to expand...

Your wish is my command!

Just read through all the rest of the comments on this thread and I'm still siding with Astra and everyone else on this one.
 
Jessi sweetie, thank you! That really cheered me up no end!
I'm having a 'negative' day, ha ha ha ha

Thank you Hannah and every other Crohnie on here for your support, that means so much to me and that what I believe in isn't a fruitless task.
 
I've finally just watched the food hospital. Oh dear..... Me and my mum both have crohns disease and have just watched it together. It's nothing personal Laura but it isn't a fair representation. Me and my mum have both had surgery this year and both feel it serves to promote patient blaming. To anyone who had watched that I'd almost feel ths need to justify my condition and why I've needed time off work. The symptoms were over simplified in a way that was shocking. I'm very glad it worked for you Laura but feel sorry for anyone who has tried the diet without success. This program didn't fully explain that for some people crohns cannot managed by diet only.

Let us know what reply you get Astra. For now I'm gonna eat a chocolate biscuit and have a brew :)

Becky xx
 
I hope you read it after I'd sorted the formatting out - there is nothing worse than shoddy formatting.

The opinions in the blog are my own and do not represent those of crohnsforum etc but I do hope that I've given a balanced and persuasive angle to the point I'm trying to make, and if it's an opinion that others share then I hope I've done it some justice and tried to communicate why some Crohn's sufferers are unhappy with The Food Hospital's latest episode.
 
hannah-rose said:
The opinions in the blog are my own and do not represent those of crohnsforum etc but I do hope that I've given a balanced and persuasive angle to the point I'm trying to make, and if it's an opinion that others share then I hope I've done it some justice and tried to communicate why some Crohn's sufferers are unhappy with The Food Hospital's latest episode.
Click to expand...

I think you put the point/general consensus of people here across brilliantly to be honest. I wish I could write a blog like that!...I want to do one to sort of summarise the last year but don't have a clue where I would start!...
 
At this point it would seem that both sides have been well represented regarding their views on the contents of the show so I am locking the thread until admin has had the opportunity to discuss its contents.

I have not seen the episode in question and will be unable to do so due to regional constraints.

Dusty.
 
After discussion this thread was temporarily closed for 24 hours and has now been reopened.

It will continue to be monitored.

Dusty.
 
Hello, thank you for opening this forum again.

Just my opinion - I also was excited to watch the program on Tuesday and hoped it would show a lot of insight but was disappointed with the way the disease and subsequent treatment was portrayed. I think when I saw the opening titles I got worried and rightly so - this is a "magazine" style program that could only dedicate a limited amount of time to each story, rather than an indepth portrayal of Crohn's disease which is what I was hoping for.

I am thrilled that Laura is finding the treatment is helping her in her own Crohn's battle, I know that there would have been a lot more going on behind the scenes that didn't make it into the final edit, but what was shown just seemed to brush over a lot of the symptoms, struggles and the other treatment options out there. Perhaps this is true of the other conditions shown on the program, as I don't suffer from them I can't say but I know that I couldn't relate to this story.

As I watched I was actually feeling a little glad that my boyfriend wasn't home and my family in Oz couldn't see it as it can potentially send mixed messages to those without Crohn's. I had a meeting with my HR manager today after another day off sick to talk about reducing my hours/workload, and it was tough to get across to her how exactly I'm feeling, even though she "knew someone with Crohn's once". As many have said before, it can be a struggle to get people to understand, and even well-meaning but misinformed comments can be devastating for us, especially about our diet.

I feel guilty enough that my disease is not in remission yet after 6 weeks of treatment, and I know this is a completely illogical way to feel but I sometimes can't help it. It doesn't matter what I eat, even the liquid diet didn't have much of an effect so I end up feeling guilty about that too, that I'm making it worse somehow. I know it probably wasn't Channel 4's intention but the "McProgram" style of the show just didn't put in enough time or insight to offer a realistic portrayal for me of what is a serious condition.
 
A great post by lizzy ^ in my opinion and echoes my thoughts.

Had they dedicated the whole hour to Crohn's and substituted style over substance I don't think there would be the level of backlash we have here.

However, I would like to add that I can only speak from my own experience that diet has and continues to play a massive role and has enabled me to at least have some sort of stability in my life and I'm sure has slowed the progress of the disease - and that perhaps a more radical diet (not 'pioneering') will allow me to achieve a seemingly similar success to that of what Laura has achieved (so far).

Thanks Laura for having the courage to be a part of the show, even if the production of the programme didn't quite live up to what we had hoped.
 
Jessi said:
@ Astra ~ Everyone here knows how wonderful you are. You are always one who lifts us and puts smiles on our faces. What would we ever do without happy caring people like you, love?
Click to expand...

Hey this is why she is my closest friend, she is here for all of us, even when she is sick. I am so glad now it never played in Canada :lol:

YOU go girl and Jessi is bang on! :kiss:
 
peleburrows said:
A great post by lizzy ^ in my opinion and echoes my thoughts.

Had they dedicated the whole hour to Crohn's and substituted style over substance I don't think there would be the level of backlash we have here.

However, I would like to add that I can only speak from my own experience that diet has and continues to play a massive role and has enabled me to at least have some sort of stability in my life and I'm sure has slowed the progress of the disease - and that perhaps a more radical diet (not 'pioneering') will allow me to achieve a seemingly similar success to that of what Laura has achieved (so far).

Thanks Laura for having the courage to be a part of the show, even if the production of the programme didn't quite live up to what we had hoped.
Click to expand...

Great post! :)
 
I was very disappointed in the show! Bloating??? Please every woman gets that once a month! Bloating is the least of my worries. I've had so many people asking me if i watched the show and if i'm going to try the diet. UGH!! A woman said to me " see i've been telling you for ages it's all about what you eat". Well done for e-mailing channel 4!!!
 
Thanks Lizzy :) I was hoping to be able to articulate the general consensus of members of the forum, although obviously I didn't state that in the post or mention any names. I was trying to put how I felt about Channel 4 across without offending anyone, and I hope I achieved that.
 
hannah-rose said:
Thanks Lizzy :) I was hoping to be able to articulate the general consensus of members of the forum, although obviously I didn't state that in the post or mention any names. I was trying to put how I felt about Channel 4 across without offending anyone, and I hope I achieved that.
Click to expand...

You certainly did Hannah! :) x
 
Well im glad this thread didn't go down the same route as the one in the "Your Story" section. Jeez!
 
Last edited:
I'm going to have to watch this programme on 4od now! A colleague at work sent me the link although I see it has gained some interest on here as well. :)
Hannah-rose - what a fab blog. good job.
 
I have now just watched on 4od. Well done to Laura I say and think she did a fab job and had the guts to go through with the filming and help get some info of our condition out there!!
As much as I think food choice can ease pain and reduce symptoms I think due to the unpredictable nature of our disease and how it effects each and every one of us differently there is still no substitute for being seen by a proper GI specialist that knows your history of Crohns and can put you on the required meds!
I personally found the programme very interesting from the food aspect although I also felt it gave out the wrong message about Crohns. Any non crohnie that watched it now may think - oh you just need to change your diet - yeah right! It may help with mild flares and ease symptoms but anything more...?? Don't think so! I suppose that depends on the individual, case by case.
As much as I didn't like the side effects of steroids when I was first diagnosed, they got me back on my feet within days. Without them who knows but why prolong the misery?
 
Nice one for emailing Ch4 Joan, shame the response was such a standard one. I've just watched it now and see what they've tried to do but Crohns is so complex there's no point trying to fit it into 10 mins, they would be better not doing the piece at all.

They mention on there that around 60,000 people in Uk have Crohns so I understand how it's not going to be relevant to most people, if you think how many obese and depressed people there are it makes sense to focus more time on them. Unfortunately I don't think you can teach people anything if they can't relate, and although numbers of crohnies are increasing it will take a good few decades before its as well known as other diseases. Im glad they slipped in the "it's not IBS" part into the show though.

I'm glad the diet works for some, it's the standard self treatment for me if I get a bad flare to not eat, or just have soup etc. But on a long term basis it won't keep it under control. Ive got a copy of the show so If anyone wants to see it but can't, pm me and Ill Dropbox it to you.
 
Thanks Dave

It was a bog standard reply from Channel 4 but my letter is nearly ready to send to OFCOM, I'm not letting it go, especially now that the peeps at work are saying exactly what I knew they would!!
'There you go, that girl on the telly was cured'
'Why don't you try that diet off the telly'
And so on

And I'm just squirming with embarrassment!
And it's made me more and more determined to fight for what I know is wrong.
 

Similar threads

RinTinBrim
13 Years Diagnosed
Replies
4
Views
2K
RinTinBrim
RinTinBrim
E
Correspondance with CC UK r.e use of biologics - thoughts?
Replies
4
Views
1K
cmack
cmack
dulouzz
Daughter Awaiting Mom's Crohn's Diagnosis
Replies
3
Views
1K
dulouzz
dulouzz
R
Not 100% diagnosed, but may as well be...
Replies
15
Views
3K
cmack
cmack
E
Currently in hospital, first ever pancolitis, no diagnosis yet...what's wrong...
Replies
2
Views
1K
Lady Organic
Lady Organic

Latest posts

Back
Top