Chloe Meadows has marked the beginning of Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week by opening up about her own diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis.
Sharing some photos to Instagram, including one of herself in a hospital bed, the TOWIE star, 32, penned a length caption, beginning: "This week is Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week, so I thought it was the perfect time to talk about something that I’ve been living with over the last few years."
Chloe revealed that she first started having symptoms when she was 16, but due to her young age was too "embarrassed" to tell anyone.
She continued: "A few years later, my symptoms had got much worse and there was a lot more blood when I went to the toilet.
"I was also losing a lot of weight, and because I’m in the public eye, people started commenting about my appearance."
Chloe then shared that it was her parents who encouraged her to visit a GP after she began to look different. She was 26 at this point and had been suffering with these symptoms for a decade.
"Many hospital trips, blood tests and a colonoscopy later, I finally had some answers. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis," she wrote.
"For those who don’t know – because I had no idea that Colitis is a lifelong condition where your colon – that last bit of your digestive system, becomes inflamed and covered with ulcers. The symptoms can come and go and there are many treatments – but there’s no cure yet.
"I’m now taking medication which keeps my flare-ups at bay (most of the time). Some days are better than other, but I’m able to lead a full and happy life."
Opening up about her decision to speak publicly for the first time, she wrote: "I’ve never felt able to talk about all this publicly before, but now I really want to work with Crohn’s & Colitis UK to highlight what it’s like living with one of these conditions.
"There are half a million of us in the UK with Inflammatory Bowel Disease so it’s important to talk openly about the impact it can have on your life."
Chloe's followers were quick to comment on the post, with many sharing their own struggles with the condition. One wrote: "Well done for sharing your story gal, from one colitis sufferer to another, you’re a star."
"Very brave of you to speak out about this, so thank you! I was diagnosed at 20 and have now had full removal of my large intestine, rectum and anus.. the joys! Hope they get you on the right track and you’re feeling better x" added another.
And a third penned: "Aww amazing you are sharing this!! There's a whole community of us out there who have colitis and crohns xxx."
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