Crohn's disease makes me reluctant to leave the house

Lucy Dare began facing serious health challenges at just 12 years old, experiencing difficulties with eating and frequent trips to the bathroom. Initially, neither she nor her doctors understood what was happening. Throughout her teenage years, she faced numerous obstacles and was wrongly diagnosed with an eating disorder, until 2019 when Crohns disease was finally confirmed.

Now 21, Lucy continues to struggle with everyday life and maintaining employment while managing this incurable condition. "I dont want to leave the house because of the pain and anxiety," she shares.

Her early symptoms included rectal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, and needing to use the bathroom up to 15 times daily. By age 13, Lucy weighed only 38kg (5st 13.8lb). Due to her urgent bathroom needs after meals and low body weight, doctors initially suspected anorexia or bulimia.

In 2019, Lucy spent five months receiving nutrition through a feeding tube, as food she consumed was expelled from both ends of her body. Following this, she was admitted to an inpatient eating disorder unit in North London. "Because I was so young and underweight, they just assumed it was an eating disorder," she explains. "Being admitted for six months away from home was really horrible."

When her condition did not improve, Lucy was referred for endoscopy and colonoscopy tests, which revealed she had Crohns disease. Her struggles continued, including a perforated bowel that led to vomiting fecal matter and required life-saving surgery to remove 60cm (23.6in) of her small intestine. "The recovery was long and painful," she recalls.

Lucy is still searching for effective medication and frequently visits A&E due to chronic pain and digestive issues. Crohns has also impacted her employment. "I had a job last year, but I lost it because I kept taking time off due to Crohns. Its been a lot of ups and downs," she says.

Despite these challenges, Lucy has found that fitness provides her with "clarity, control, and a sense of strength" that the illness often disrupts.

Understanding Crohns Disease

Crohns disease is a chronic condition causing inflammation in parts of the digestive system. While incurable, symptoms can be managed with treatments and medications. Common signs include diarrhea, blood or mucus in stools, abdominal pain, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Though symptoms often begin in teenagers and young adults, Crohns can develop at any age.

Author: Connor Blake