At 12 years old, Lucy Dare began experiencing troubling symptoms related to eating and excessive bathroom visits, yet neither she nor her healthcare providers understood the underlying issue.
Throughout her adolescent years, she faced numerous challenges and was initially misdiagnosed with an eating disorder. It wasn’t until 2019 that she received the correct diagnosis of Crohn’s disease.
Now at the age of 21, Lucy reports ongoing difficulties in maintaining employment and navigating daily life while coping with this chronic condition. “I avoid going outside due to the pain and anxiety,” she shares.
Lucy’s first symptoms included rectal bleeding, intense abdominal pain, significant weight loss, fatigue, and a need to use the toilet as many as 15 times daily. These issues led to a drastic weight drop, and by age 13, she weighed just 38 kg (5st 13.8lb).
Due to her urgent need to use the restroom following meals, medical professionals began to suspect she was suffering from anorexia or bulimia. In 2019, Lucy endured five months of tube feeding, as her body could not retain food, before being admitted to an inpatient unit for eating disorders in North London.
“Since I was a young girl with such low weight, they automatically presumed it was an eating disorder,” she recalls. “They kept me in the unit for six months away from home. It was incredibly difficult.”
After numerous months without improvement, she was finally referred for an endoscopy and colonoscopy, which diagnosed her with Crohn’s disease. However, this revelation did not signal the end of her difficulties.
Lucy went on to suffer a perforated bowel as a complication of the disease, leading to severe vomiting and necessitating life-saving surgery to remove 60cm (23.6 inches) of her small intestine. “The recovery process was arduous and extended, filled with discomfort and pain,” she notes.
She continues to search for effective medication, requiring consistent trips to the emergency department due to ongoing pain and digestive issues. Crohn’s disease has also impacted Lucy’s ability to find work. “I had a job last year, but I lost it because I frequently needed leave for my Crohn’s. I haven’t been able to work consistently,” she mentions. “There have been many fluctuations in my situation.”
Nonetheless, she has discovered the positive effects of fitness in managing her condition. “Exercising provides me with clarity, a sense of control, and strength, which my illness often undermines,” she explains.
Crohn’s disease is a chronic illness characterized by inflammation in parts of the digestive tract. While there is currently no cure, its symptoms can be managed with various treatments and medications. Common symptoms include diarrhea, blood or mucus in stool, abdominal pain, fatigue, and a lack of appetite. Symptoms typically begin in teenagers and young adults, although Crohn’s disease can occur at any age.
