Crohns & Colitis UK

In October of 2022, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. Crohn's Disease is a life-long, chronic condition, whereby the parts of the gut/bowel is severely inflamed. After many doctors appointments, hospital visits and tests/procedures, I'd finally found the missing piece to my puzzle!

It's overwhelming and stressful being diagnosed with a lifelong condition, having to come to terms with the fact that this is now a part of me, worrying about what the future may hold and what treatment or surgery I'll need.

However, Crohn's is much more common than I thought. Over 500,000 of us in the UK suffer with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the medical treatment that has been developed over the years is amazing!

l've had issues with my stomach for as long as I can remember, which got passed off as IBS a few years back but symptoms worsened in 2022, and I pushed for answers to which I finally got my diagnosis. Since, I have had 2 operations and have been started on some amazing treatment which hopefully will be enough to manage my symptoms for now.

More awareness needs to be raised about bowel issues, it's a taboo subject and people feel embarrassed or ashamed to discuss these problems! This is what the Crohns and Colitis UK Charity focus on… spreading awareness and breaking that taboo. As well as providing support to us sufferers and conducting scientific research in the search for a cure.

Early diagnosis is so important and if you think something isn't right, no matter how minor it may seem, get it checked. Common symptoms include: bloating, stomach pain, passing blood, diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, achey joints and ulcers. There's a symptom checker here to help decide if you should speak to your GP:

https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/symptom-checker

This year, for World IBD Day on 19th May, I'm raising money in aid of Crohn's & Colitis UK and holding a bake sale at the Simpson Judge offices. Thank you to my lovely friend @BakedByEll_ for donating the amazing brownies, blondies cookie pie!

Every donation big or small will help, this charity has helped me so much throughout the diagnosing stage and afterwards too.

Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me!

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