She said it turned her life upside down.
A young English woman has shared her experience of having Crohn's disease to help raise awareness about the illness.
Sadie Roberts was diagnosed with the disease in 2015 and said it has affected all aspects of her life including her career and social life.
The model, who is now only 23, first experience symptoms at just 20 years of age when her weight plummeted.
https://twitter.com/sadieroberts_3/status/640983214551629824
Crohn's disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system. People with Crohn's disease often experience severe abdominal pain, dramatic weight loss as well as a variety of other complications.
https://twitter.com/sadieroberts_3/status/702477592788668416
Sadie aims to highlight how it has affected her.
''Crohn’s disease has turned my life upside down.'' She told SWNS.
''I can’t work at the moment, rarely go out and have such a poor immune system – I have to be very careful. Without my family, I don’t know how I would have got through this.''
https://twitter.com/sadieroberts_3/status/548235007526199297
The model, who had been signed to an agency, had to put her career on hold after the illness affected her and her hair began to fall out.
'‘Before my illness took hold, I was a fun, outgoing young girl who enjoyed modelling. I’d been signed by a few agencies and had pictures published in a tattoo magazine.
‘'Since my diagnosis and treatment, I’ve put on endless weight due to being on steroids for over a year.’'
Sadie hopes that when she is healthier she can focus on her career once again.
As well as weigt loss and hair loss as Sadie mentioned, other common symptoms include:
- recurring diarrhoea
- abdominal pain and cramping (the pain is usually worse after eating).
- blood and mucus in your faeces (stools).
- fatigue.
Sadie is hoping that she is making a difference by sharing her story.
'‘I don’t want people to suffer in silence because the only thing worse than having this debilitating disease is dealing with it alone.
‘If by talking about my experiences it helps someone recognise their symptoms quicker and get an early diagnosis, or helps the friends and family of sufferers be more understanding, then it’ll all feel worth it.’'
