A WOMAN who lost 35 kg after pooping 30 times a day initially attributed her symptoms to eating too much pizza.
24-year-old Matilda Crome was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, an intestinal disease that causes inflammation of the digestive system.
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Her symptoms, which included bloating, began at age 14 during a vacation in Italy, so she assumed they were caused by overindulging in the local cuisine.
But she continued to have problems at home, even though doctors attributed them to period pain or irritable bowel syndrome.
When Matilda discovered blood in her stool, she feared it was something more serious.
Her condition deteriorated so much that she sat her GCSE exams in bed at home in Manchester with an invigilator sitting next to her.
At her worst, Matilda lost an incredible 35 kg and almost died from sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to an infection.
However, thanks to new medication, by October 2023 she was healthy enough to buy a van and go climbing alone.
She travelled to Spain and Morocco and returned home in February this year.
Matilda then underwent surgery to remove her colon and reconnect her small intestine to her rectum. She now hopes to be able to travel again.
Matilda, who is unable to work due to her illness, said: “I had to go to the toilet up to 30 times a day.”
“When I saw blood in my stool, I thought I had cancer and was going to die.
“I was sent from Pontius to Pilate and told that it was all in my head.
“When I finally got my diagnosis, I cried with relief.
“During my recovery, I discovered climbing and quickly enjoyed it.
“I can safely say that climbing played a big part in helping me feel emotions again.”
What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease is a lifelong condition in which parts of the digestive system are inflamed.
It is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that, along with ulcerative colitis, affects almost half a million people in the UK.
Symptoms usually begin in childhood, but the disease affects people of all ages. These include:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain and cramps
- Blood in stool
- Tiredness (exhaustion)
- Weight loss
There is no cure, but treatment can help reduce or control symptoms.
Some people take medications to relieve inflammation in the digestive system, while others may need surgery to remove a small area.
The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed that genes, problems with the immune system, smoking, stomach flu and an imbalance of the intestinal flora play a role.
Source: NHS
At the age of 14, Matilda had to go to the toilet more often while on holiday with her parents in Rome.
They assumed that she might be suffering from gluten intolerance due to her pizza consumption, but her symptoms continued to worsen at home.
Then she noticed blood in her stool and two years later she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
This condition, which can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss and fatigue, affects one in 123 people in the UK, along with colitis, another type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
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Matilda was battling severe symptoms at the age of 16 when she sat her GCSE exams in 2016.
She said: “Part of me was happy to know what the cause was, even though I knew a life with chronic illness lay ahead of me.
“I was determined to sit my GCSE exam even though I felt bad.
“We had a note on the front door that said ‘Exam in progress’, which was pretty funny.”
My parents were urgently called to say goodbye and prepare for the worst
Matilda Crome
Despite taking various medications, including steroids and monthly injections, Matilda said she was in “constant pain.”
She was housebound and couldn’t go anywhere unless she knew there was a toilet nearby.
Her weight dropped to just over 35 kg and she had to go to the emergency room frequently.
In 2020, at the age of 20, she was admitted to Manchester Royal Infirmary and “almost died.”
“I truly owe my life to my IBD doctor who fought for a hospital bed for me,” said Matilda, who shared her journey on TikTok.
“Without her, I think I would have died.
“I remember one night when I was sure my body was going to give up and I would never wake up.
“My parents now tell me how lucky I was.
“They were urgently called to say goodbye and prepare for the worst.”
“SPARK” IS FINALLY COMING BACK
Fortunately, Matilda was prescribed strong antibiotics and her health began to improve.
After a few years, she reached a healthy weight again and was able to start living her life again.
“I finally saw my enthusiasm and motivation come back and it felt great,” she added.
“I bought a van and went on a solo climbing trip through Morocco and Spain, something Crohn’s disease had previously prevented me from doing.”
However, in March 2024, she received an email from the hospital and the doctors told her that her colon was still inflamed.
She underwent surgery to remove her colon, called a colostomy. Fortunately, a colostomy bag was not required.
Now, four months after surgery, Matilda’s recovery has been mixed, but she is optimistic about the future.
“I was shocked that I had to have surgery because I hadn’t felt this good in years,” she said.
“I try to take advantage of the good days because I know how bad the bad days can be.
“You can carry on living your life with a chronic illness, but it may change the course of your life.
“I have a long road to recovery ahead of me, but if it means I can live a somewhat normal life and travel the world, then it’s worth it.”
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