I was first diagnosed with Crohn’s in 2017 after experiencing urgent and frequent bowel movements and large amounts of blood in my stool for several months. I ignored the symptoms for a while until my girlfriend (now wife) insisted I saw a doctor. At first, doctors believed it was a series of stomach bugs or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and I was prescribed treatments that did little to improve my symptoms. As time went on, my condition worsened, and I was experiencing severe abdominal pain, weight loss, and extreme fatigue.

It wasn’t until I was finally referred to a gastroenterologist after a six month wait, that the true cause of my symptoms was investigated properly. Eventually, after undergoing multiple tests, including a colonoscopy, blood tests, and an MRI scan, I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), specifically Crohn’s. 

Shortly after my diagnosis, I moved to Winchester, where my new IBD team wanted to conduct their own tests before proceeding with treatment. Fortunately, they were fantastic, and within a couple of months, I had seen a specialist, undergone another colonoscopy, and started a treatment plan to control my flare-up. Over the next nine months, I worked through various medications until I was put on Adalimumab (a biologic treatment), which finally put me into remission. I also focused on supporting my body through eating foods that worked best for me personally, and that didn't worsen my symptoms. I tried to avoid foods that I knew could trigger me to experience a flare-up.

When I moved back to London in 2020, transferring my care proved to be a challenge. It took six months to be seen by the IBD team here, during which I ran out of medication. Due to NHS policies, they wouldn’t prescribe more until I had an in-person consultation and another colonoscopy, as well as arranging new funding for my biologic treatment. This long delay left me without medication for months. I was lucky that I didn’t experience a major flare up in that time, and eating foods that agreed with me and having a supply of Loperamide allowed me to carry on as close to normal as possible.

In 2022, my gastroenterologist left my local NHS trust, and I was never reassigned another consultant. While my medication continued to arrive, I received no routine checkups, surveillance colonoscopies, or follow-ups.  It took hospitalisation for a flare-up in 2024 for me to finally be assigned a new gastroenterologist.

In November 2024, I was also diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) after undergoing months of intensive testing. Initially, doctors suspected cancer, and the stress of these tests, along with the implications of my PSC diagnosis, ultimately triggered my first major Crohn’s flare-up since 2018.

Unfortunately, because I had been in remission for so long, I didn’t recognize the signs of a severe flare-up, and neither did the first two doctors I saw. Despite experiencing severe diarrhoea, vomiting, blood in my stool, weight loss, extreme fatigue, and fever, I was initially misdiagnosed with a stomach bug and given anti-sickness tablets. I went to see another GP for answers, and they recognized the seriousness of my condition and pre-admitted me to Watford General Hospital immediately.

By the time I was hospitalised, I had already lost nearly 15kg in three weeks, and my condition deteriorated rapidly. Within two days, doctors urged me to have emergency surgery, even bringing in a stoma nurse to discuss placement. I didn’t feel mentally ready to accept it, and clung to the hope that medication would help. Despite being given high-dose steroids, antibiotics, and a "rescue dose" of Infliximab, my condition continued to worsen.

Michael in intensive care

On the evening of December 18th, I made the incredibly difficult decision to undergo surgery. I was wheeled into the operating room the next morning for a subtotal colectomy with an end ileostomy, where surgeons discovered that parts of my large intestine had turned septic and were beginning to poison my body. The surgery was successful, but my recovery was difficult, and I spent nearly three weeks in the hospital, including a stint in intensive care due to a collapsed lung.

Now, I live with a permanent stoma bag, and while adjusting to it has been a significant challenge, it has also given me a second chance at life. I continue to manage my Crohn’s through diet, lifestyle adjustments, and immunosuppressant injections, and I am focused on rebuilding my strength and adapting to my new normal.

Living with Crohn’s can affect nearly every aspect of daily life, from travel and work to social activities and personal confidence. Even when I wasn’t experiencing a major flare-up, the unpredictability of my symptoms made even simple tasks incredibly difficult. Before my surgery, I never left the house without toiletries and a spare change of clothes in my car—just in case. The reality of Crohn’s is that when you need to go to the toilet, you get seconds of notice. Over the years, I have had to pull over on the side of nearly every major motorway in the south of England, make emergency stops in central London, and run into the nearest shop or business just to avoid an accident.

One of the most heartbreaking impacts of Crohn’s on my life was having to leave my dream job. In 2019, I secured a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work on the restoration of a famous historic building in London—a pinnacle moment in my career. However, the daily train commute became impossible due to my symptoms. I would have to constantly get off at stations to find toilets, making the journey unmanageable. Despite loving the job, I had no choice but to resign as I was unable to fulfil my role properly.

While my recent surgery has changed my condition, Crohn’s continues to affect my daily life. Managing my stoma, planning my diet carefully, and adjusting to my new normal are all challenges I now face. However, after years of struggling in silence, I am determined to raise awareness about the real-life impact of living with IBD and to help others feel less alone in their journey.

Managing the symptoms, finding ways to work around them, and pushing forward despite the setbacks, is key. There will be difficult days, but there will also be good ones, and with the right treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and support, you can still live a fulfilling life.

It’s also important for people to understand that IBD is far more than just "a bad stomach". It’s a complex, chronic autoimmune disease that can cause excruciating pain, extreme fatigue, malnutrition, and life-altering complications. The invisible nature of the disease makes it even harder, as people often don’t realise the daily battles those with Crohn’s or Colitis face. Raising awareness is crucial—not just for those living with IBD, but for the wider public, so there’s greater understanding and support.

Michael with his wife

For those who have IBD or suspect they might, my biggest advice is: know the symptoms and seek help immediately. Don’t dismiss persistent issues as “just IBS” or “just a stomach bug.” If you feel like you’re not being heard, push harder for referrals, tests, and treatment—I learned the hard way how dangerous delays can be. Being proactive about your health can make all the difference in preventing serious complications.

Most importantly, there is light at the end of the tunnel. With modern treatments, lifestyle changes, and support, IBD can often be managed in a way that allows for a near-normal life. Educate yourself, seek help when needed, and connect with charities like Crohn’s & Colitis UK, who offer a wealth of information and invaluable support. You are not alone in this journey, and there are people and resources out there to help.

Colleagues from Michael's workplace, Circle Development, will be taking part in the Hampton Court Palace Half Marathon for him and raising money for Crohn's & Colitis. Circle Development's incredible generosity has already raised over £20,000 for the charity.