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Megan Starshak

@itsmemegaroo

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Adventurer, runner, cyclist, dog lover, Colitis conquerer. Tell me your story.

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HEALTH UPDATE!

This summer has been a doozy as my 17 year-long #IBD remission was completely blown up by factors beyond my control, despite me pulling every lever I had available.

> New insurance took 23 days to approve any treatment
> Efforts to fill this gap with a compassion dose were not honored
> Inflammation totally blew up with fecal cal reaching nearly 2000
> Lowered immunity likely contributed to catching pneumonia in August
> Had to make some decisions that I haven't had to make in almost 2 decades

Switching jobs means switching insurance and that's an terrifying additional layer of consideration for chronic illness patients. But I thought the worst thing I might deal with was a biosim fight, but it ended up being SO much more than that. Despite sending along all the information to hit the ground running the day new insurance kicked in, it was WEEKS before anything moved. If they were trying to save money by essentially skipping a dose in my 6 week cycle and forcing a biosimilar switch, it didn't work. Since then, I've been on 4 different antibiotics (seriously I haven't been on an antibiotic in so long that my doc couldn't even find the last one in mychart) and 5 different steroids. And because I lost response, a switch to a newer advanced therapy is not going to save them costs in the long run. Although that's not what I'm doing - watch to see my decision.

#ibd #ulcerativecolitis #crohnsdisease #inflammatoryboweldisease #remicade #infliximab #clinicaltrials by @itsmemegaroo

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a year ago

Happy 4th gotcha day to this smiley, silly girl who loves swimming, snow, balls, and all her favorite people ❤️🐾 by @itsmemegaroo

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6 days ago

An unfortunate reality of living with a chronic condition is that many people have left appointments feeling overwhelmed, misunderstood, or frustrated.

#IBDSC advocates Aaron (@aaronblocker_) and Megan (@itsmemegaroo) explain how they navigate these situations so that they can be empowered decision-makers in partnership with their care teams.

#IBDAwareness #CrohnsandColitis #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis by @itsmemegaroo

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2 months ago

Never Have I Ever: #IBDSC group edition! 💭

Did you answer “I have” to any (or all) of these? Play along in the comments below.

#CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #IBDAwareness #InflammatoryBowelDisease by @itsmemegaroo

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2 months ago

Bayview last night was so fun, Josie said it’s in an 11 way tie for her favorite @tourofamericasdairyland race!! @stellaandchewys by @itsmemegaroo

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4 months ago

Living with IBD can be a lot. Like #IBDSC advocate Megan (@itsmemegaroo) says, it’s okay to “lean in” sometimes.

Feel all the feelings, but remember that you are never alone. Tap a friend or connect with your community (IRL or online!) – small but mighty movements can help you out of a rut. 💜🫂

What are some small steps you take when feeling overwhelmed?

#IBDAwareness #IBDWarrior #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis by @itsmemegaroo

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5 months ago

Quick lil recharge Up North. Interstate Falls, Lake Superior, Superior Falls. Not pictured: Josie learning that ice lakes turn into water lakes. taken in Lake Superior by @itsmemegaroo

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6 months ago

Never Have I Ever: IBD Edition 💭

Play along with advocates Aaron (@aaronblocker_), Megan (@itsmemegaroo), and Alicia (@alicia_aiello) as they share some of their universal IBD experiences. Drop your answers below – you probably have some common ground with them.

#CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #IBDAwareness #InflammatoryBowelDisease #CrohnsAndColitis by @itsmemegaroo

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7 months ago

What do gummy bears and soup broth have in common? Both can be useful for colonoscopy prep. 🍜🧸

#IBDSC advocates Aaron (@aaronblocker_) and Megan (@itsmemegaroo) answered some of the internet’s most burning IBD questions, starting with a useful one: “Advice on making colonoscopy prep easier?”

Have any tips to add to their list? Drop them in the comments below!

#IBDAwareness #CrohnsandColitis #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis by @itsmemegaroo

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8 months ago

Latergram… yesterday, we sat in on a group of sessions at #AIBD2025, and one of them involved the newest guidelines for vaccine best practices in patients with #IBD like #crohnsdisease and #ulcerativecolitis … as well as for those who are pregnant, and even guidance for the babies once they have arrived, if they’ve been exposed to treatments while in utero (also discussed safety in these cases!). As always, please discuss options and questions with your healthcare team. #JNJpartner
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J&J has paid for my travel and expenses. All thoughts and opinions shared, are my own. by @itsmemegaroo

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10 months ago

Today at #AIBD2025, GI specialists debated paths forward for when #IBD treatment is losing response. As a patient, what do you prefer: optimize or switch? #JNJPartner

Johnson & Johnson has paid for my travel and expenses. All opinions are my own. by @itsmemegaroo

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10 months ago

Dr. Corey Siegel brings the importance of patient perspective into the conversation beautifully at #AIBD2025
@ibdsocialcircle #jnjpartner by @itsmemegaroo

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10 months ago