Weight-loss woman suffered in silence (From Free Press Series)

Weight-loss woman suffered in silence

1:00pm Thursday 2nd July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

A WOMAN who lost a quarter of her body weight wants to raise more awareness of the 'mystery' illness which took nine months to diagnose.

Samara Kemp, 24, from Pontymoile, Pontypool, is among up to 80,000 people across the UK with Crohn's Disease, a debilitating, incurable inflammatory bowel condition.

With her symptoms largely under control, she is spreading the word about Crohn's and another bowel condition - colitis. But with only one third of people aware of the conditions' existence, there is much general ignorance to overcome.

"I remember my tiredness was extreme and the weight loss was considerable," said Ms Kemp.

"Doctors put it down to other things, problems with food, food poisoning. I'd been eight-and-a-half stone and went down to six-and-a-half stone.

"I'm five feet tall, and began to look quite ill. It was distressing for me, my family and friends."

Eventually, a private diagnosis confirmed Crohn's Disease, which most commonly affects the small intestine, causing inflammation, deep ulcers and scarring. Symptoms usually include pain, urgent diarrhoea, severe tiredness and loss of weight.

Ms Kemp was put on a six-month course of steroids, daily medication, supplements such as iron and calcium, and a low fibre diet.

"I was close to nine months without a diagnosis and it was a relief at last to know what was wrong," she said.

But Ms Kemp had to rebuild her confidence before venturing out regularly. The severity of symptoms mean Crohn's and colitis patients can become shadows of their former selves, while lack of awareness among the general population can make things more difficult.

"There needs to be quicker diagnosis and more awareness. I have trouble getting keys for disabled toilets because people don't believe I am ill," said Ms Kemp.

There is currently no treatment – surgical or medical – that can guarantee a complete cure from the condition, however there are treatments available that can effectively treat the symptoms and bring prolonged of relief from inflammation Crohn's causes.

Now working as a substance misuse and mental health officer, she added: "South Wales Police have been great too, but it's not like that everywhere, and many people suffer in silence."

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)