I'm 22 years old and have been living with Ulcerative Colitis since I was diagnosed when I was 16. I absolutely love anything crafty such as, cross stitch, embroidery, resin crafts and candle making! I also enjoy reading, music and exploring new places when I can. I especially enjoy experiencing live music and hope to attend many more gigs and concerts in the future!
When I first started showing symptoms of having an Inflammatory Bowel Disease, I felt like no one would want to hear about what I was going through. I was also afraid of talking to the doctors about what I was experiencing because as a young woman, I felt embarrassed that another person would be hearing about what was happening each time I rushed to the bathroom!
I felt embarrassed to talk to friends and family about how I found myself rushing to the toilet most days, that I was worried about leaving the house in case I needed to use the bathroom, and that I found was lacking the energy to go out and do my usual daily tasks.
Alexandra
Person Living with Ulcerative Colitis
Before I was diagnosed with my IBD, Ulcerative Colitis, I would limit my social interactions in fear of needing to rush of to the toilet and feeling embarrassed. I was worried people would be counting how many times I excused myself in their heads, and make judgements about me. I would find other excuses as to why I wasn’t feeling well because I was too embarrassed to say I couldn’t leave my bathroom that day.
I would very often cancel plans due to my IBD symptoms, I found trying to explain why I wasn’t feeling well to friends and family was very difficult.
When I eventually opened up to my family about what I was experiencing, I received nothing but support. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted, and this secret I had been carrying around with me for so long didn’t feel like such a heavy burden anymore. When I spoke to my doctors about my symptoms, they were also very supportive.
Nobody made me feel embarrassed but helped me to understand I was not alone in my condition, and there were ways I could treat and help manage my symptoms.
To anyone who is currently hiding or embarrassed about symptoms they are experiencing, you are not alone! Your health is so important and being able to have a conversation with your doctor, a friend or family member that you can trust, can be such a relief. There is a community of people out there who understand what your going through, and are willing to offer support if you need it.
If you feel too embarrassed to sit down and talk with a health professional, I found it really useful to write down what it was I wanted to say, and if you find you just cant get the words out, handing over that piece of paper can be a much easier way to start having these conversations.
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