All through school I had symptoms that I now know are due to Colitis. My main symptom was constipation which I thought nothing of until blood started appearing in my poo.

I visited my doctor, and they gave me laxatives as an initial solution. These worked at first and I was okay, but not for long. The constipation kept coming back, along with pain and tiredness. I just wanted to lay in bed all day. There were days when I couldn’t go to school because I was just so tired, even after a full night’s sleep.

When I did go to school, I’d often have to go to the medical room and lay down because the pain was unbearable. I’d lay there and just have to wait for it to pass.

During these teenage years I had a horrible fever. I was shaking and sweaty but freezing cold at the same time. I visited the doctor again on this occasion and was told I had a blockage in my bowel which would pass.

When Carter was born I was still undiagnosed, and my symptoms were not being managed. I had, and still have, help from my parents and Carter’s grandparents but becoming a father made me realise that I needed to get to the bottom of my illness.

I wanted to be the best possible parent and knew that I couldn’t do this with my health how it was. I was feeling so tired, and my health was getting worse when looking after him. Carter was born with a congenital heart defect, so I had his health and hospital appointments to manage as well.

I found it hard to care for myself as well as for Carter and had to spend nights away from him when he was in hospital. I hated leaving him because I knew he’d miss me, but I needed to rest. I would try to leave as soon as he fell asleep and get back before he woke up. The nurses were amazing, and I knew he was in good hands, but it’s never the same as him having his dad.

So, I went to a new doctor to get some answers and had a colonoscopy and faecal immunochemical test (FIT). I was told that I had Colitis when I recovered from the colonoscopy and had never heard of it. The doctor explained it, and I went straight on this website too. The information from Crohn’s & Colitis UK helped a lot.

I look back and realise that there were times I had a flare-up but didn’t know what it was. All the times that I was so tired now make sense. I used to worry I’d have an accident and not know how long I could walk before I got pain, but now it’s under control. It also means I can get more support from friends and family. They hadn’t heard of it either, so I’ve explained what it is, and they’ve been more understanding. When I need to rest or lie down, they understand why that is.

For example, if I’m going through a flare-up I could be going through a depressive episode as well. Other time my anxiety is related to my Colitis because I am too anxious to go out in case I need a toilet and have an accident.

I am pleased to be receiving help and medicine for all of the above and have an amazing support network of good friends and family which makes it that bit easier. 

Getting on top of my Colitis and my mental health means I can do more things with my son, and I feel like I’m a better parent because of it.