Jennifer Lang lived in a state of anxiety, unsure when she’d have to run to the bathroom. A teacher, she was never sure if she’d have to excuse herself during class or back-to-school night discussions with parents.

Travel became problematic too, so she wouldn’t eat anything before embarking on a trip to minimize the need for bathroom visits. She’d decline any invitations if she wasn’t sure about the “bathroom logistics.”

“I stayed home from an Eagles tailgate because I didn’t know what would be accessible in the stadium's parking lot,” said Jennifer, a 35-year-old mother of two from Marlton. “My life was ruled by my symptoms and my condition. I was always in a state of high stress.”

Stuck in the House
Jennifer first experienced gastrointestinal issues in college. Doctors told Jennifer she had a nervous stomach and diagnosed her with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

“The diagnosis I received when I was younger was very general and very vague,” explained Jennifer. “As I got older, my symptoms became worse, and the medication I was prescribed wasn’t working.”

To make Jennifer’s situation even worse, last summer she developed clostridium difficile (C. diff), a bacterial infection sometimes caused by the long-term use of antibiotics. Her condition became so severe, she couldn’t leave the house.

Jennifer recovered, but a follow-up colonoscopy revealed ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine.

IBD Diagnosis—and Relief

“IBD can be difficult to diagnose, as symptoms can overlap with other gastrointestinal problems. People like Jennifer are often initially diagnosed with IBS when they actually have inflammatory bowel disease,” said Sanket Patel, DO, a gastroenterologist fellowship-trained in IBD management.

While IBS can be managed with diet and lifestyle changes and medications, IBD can flare up at any time, often with symptoms like diarrhea, loss of bowel control (especially at night), bloody stools, nausea, vomiting, or unexplained weight loss.

When Jennifer’s ulcerative colitis did not improve, she sought a second opinion with Dr. Patel, the director of the Virtua Crohn’s & Colitis Center.

The center’s team, including Dr. Patel, colorectal surgeons, and a dietitian, are all focused on relieving your symptoms and restoring your confidence.

Treatments include advanced biologic therapies, anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal medications, antibiotics, and immunomodulators. If medical therapies do not relieve your IBD symptoms, several surgical options are available, using minimally invasive and robotic-assisted approaches whenever possible.

Dr. Patel recommended Jennifer undergo a six-week course of steroids followed by intravenous infusions of biologic medications every other month.

“Jennifer’s journey shows the impact of personalized IBD care,” said Dr. Patel. “By finding the right treatment for her, we’ve helped her regain her life. It’s rewarding to see her thriving now.”

Jennifer’s symptoms are now under control, and she feels like a new person.

“I am so thankful to Dr. Patel.” Jennifer said. “Because he is an IBD specialist, he could pinpoint exactly what I needed. Before becoming his patient, I felt like I was stuck. Now, I am living my best life and couldn’t be happier.”

Your Gut, Our Focus
To schedule a consultation with the Virtua Crohn’s & Colitis Center, call 856-291-8680.