3 minute read
things’
from Connect Magazine
I was experiencing weight loss and cramps in the run-up to my diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease in 2015. After trying one medication that stopped working, I am now on adalimumab injections every 10 days and my symptoms have mainly been kept at bay.
I only started running when I moved to London after the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Last year, I ran a 10k at the start of the year, followed by two half marathons, then my first full marathon in October. On some days, fatigue makes it hard to get up and out. But I quickly realised that running really helps me. If I lie in bed all day, I feel physically worse. When I am able to be active and have the focus of exercise, I find I have more energy.
Amazing support
Running also helps my mental health – stress aggravates my Crohn’s symptoms and exercise helps alleviate that. With the amazing support of my healthcare professionals and those close to me, my condition is now under control and I am in a position to offer the same support to others.
Knowing how life-changing a Crohn’s or Colitis diagnosis can be, I wanted to have a fresh focus and do something to raise money for Crohn’s & Colitis UK. So I set myself the challenge of running
12 marathons in 12 months throughout 2023. I’m hoping to raise £3,000 for the charity.
Training is not always perfect. Sometimes it is difficult to motivate myself and there are days when I don’t have the energy to run.
I recently suffered from a cold for a few weeks and that affected me more than it would other people because of the medication I am on.
Charity challenge
My marathon adventure will take me from Ireland to Spain and Switzerland as a proud representative of Crohn’s & Colitis UK. The charity has offered an amazing level of support, sending me fundraising resources and offering suggestions to ensure I meet my £3,000 target.
In my first marathon of the year, I came third out of 50 people and I am really happy with that result. I am still surprised at what is possible when you commit to a challenge like this. Even with a disease such as Crohn’s, I am still capable of doing incredible things.
Although some days are still harder than others, I feel quite lucky to have found a medication that works for me and has put my symptoms into remission.
I know that not everyone is this lucky. That’s why I want to complete my challenge and support Crohn’s & Colitis UK to help others.
It was such a struggle to get diagnosed with Crohn’s. For years, I felt my symptoms weren’t taken seriously. I tried lots of dietary approaches and couldn’t understand why nothing was working.
After pushing for tests, I was finally diagnosed in June 2022. But the struggle didn’t end there.
I’ve always loved eating well and socialising, but lost confidence in how I looked. I felt nervous about going out and having a flare-up.
I stopped travelling, nervous about being away from home and unable to find medical support. My medication initially made my hair quite weak. I felt like I’d lost my confidence and now my femininity.
And the stigma around my condition meant I worried that no one would want to hear about what I was going through. I mean, who wants to talk about diarrhoea and bloating?
After friends mentioned how withdrawn I’d become, I started counselling. It was
Finding myself
the best thing I ever did. My medical team are still working out the best level of medication for me, but I now have the skills to cope. There are days when I feel really positive. If I have a flare-up, especially if it’s sudden, I can feel quite down. On those days, I talk to friends and do things that feed my soul like being in nature, listening to music or taking a walk. I’ve got better at listening to my body and resting if I need to.
I’ve accepted Crohn’s is a chronic illness which will flare up. I’m more prepared for that. Regular exercise is great for my health and reducing stress!
Finding other people’s stories on the Crohn’s & Colitis UK website removed the stigma and built a sense of community. I feel more back to myself now. It’s all about going with the ebb and flow, doing what makes you feel well.
