Your stories

Behind every digestive condition, there are people who are just as passionate as we are about helping the UK get to grips with guts. We wouldn't be here without our incredible community.

If you've been affected by a digestive condition and would like to share your story, you can register your interest here.

Karan’s story – Diverticulitis

"My life got turned on its head and I didn’t see it coming."

Jonald is sitting in a restaurant on holiday, smiling, with a glass of white wine in front of him

Jonald’s Story – Diverticulitis

"I was presented with two options: be put on an intravenous drip (a drip into the veins) with prescribed medication...
Ian is sat outdoors in front of a building. He is smiling at the camera wearing a beige t-shirt with his right hand pushed against his face.

Ian’s Story – Achalasia

"I wondered if I would ever be able to eat normally again. It felt like a grieving period. Grieving that...
Leanne is taking a selfie with her friend and they are both smiling at the camera. Leanne is wearing a black top with a purple cardigan and he friend is wearing a beige jumper. Leanne has a tube passing through into nose.

Leanne’s Story – Achalasia

My daughter said: “Mummy, I don’t want you to die.” I thought about giving up. If I died, I died....

Rachel’s Story – Gastroparesis

"I knew my life would never be the same. Over time, I had to process grief. Grief for the healthy...

Ross’ story – Hereditary stomach cancer

Ross shares his story of having his stomach removed due to carrying CHD1, a hereditary stomach cancer gene, and wants...
Matt is taking a selfie and has a big smile on his face. He is wearing transition glasses and a black shirt with multiple orange dragonflies on it. Green fields are seen behind him.

Matthew’s Story – Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)

Around the time of my diagnosis, my doctor said, “You may be unlikely to see your children grow up.” ...

Jane and Sue’s Story – Bowel cancer and oesophageal cancer

Jane and Sue’s story is told by Catherine, one of their sisters-in-law. Catherine chose to run the 2024 London Marathon...
Julie is taking a selfie with her black cat named Stoker. Julie is smiling at the camera and Stoker is licking his lips.

Julie’s story – Functional dyspepsia and IBS

Julie has been our Information Manager since 2020 and is also a healthcare professional by background. She shares her experiences...
Rachel is grinning at the camera in a room in her house. She has her right hand on her hip and she is wearing the blue Bowel Cancer UK vest.

Rachel’s story – Bowel cancer

"I looked at my mum in utter shock and disbelief and thought, “my life will never be the same again.”...
Abbie is standing in a white tiled bathroom. She is smiling facing the camera with her eyes staring to her right. She is wearing the navy Guts UK T-shirt and holding a toilet roll with both her hands.

Abbie’s story – Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder

"When I first got the diagnosis, I thought it was my fault and felt like I was doing this to...

Holly’s story – Biliary Sphincter Disorder and Pancreatitis

Holly was three months pregnant when she started experiencing pain. She thought she was having a heart attack.

Lorna is stood in front a white wooden door and green walls. She is smiling at the camera with her blonde hair resting on her shoulder. She is wearing a long white summery floral dress and a navy flower fascinator hat.

Lorna’s Story – Microscopic Colitis

"In October 2023, I resigned from my job. I just couldn’t bear not being able to give the service to...

Ian’s story – Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) and Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM)

Ian's stomach felt like it was on fire and he experienced a pain which, in his own words, he "wouldn't...
Geoff is sat outside on the patio surrounded by greenery smiling at the camera. He has his legs crossed and hands overlapping on one another while placed on the wooden table. He is wearing black sunglasses, black t shirt with beige shorts.

Geoff’s Story – Barrett’s Oesophagus and Diverticulosis

Barrett’s oesophagus is the term used for a potentially pre-cancerous condition where the normal cells lining the oesophagus (also known...
Diane is taking a selfie with her friend with a grin on her face. They wear black Mad Sunday 2022 Isle of Man t-shirts and are indoors with high ceilings and white walls.

Diane’s Story – Bile Acid Malabsorption

"One day I was at home during lockdown when this abdominal pain just started searing out of nowhere. My stomach...
Mark is standing in a garage. He is wearing black, green and white motorbike leathers and is holding a matching helmet. He is smiling at the camera and wears black sunglasses. There is a motorbike behind him.

Mark’s story – Oesophageal cancer

Mark listened to his body and knew when to seek help. After chest pain and passing a black poo, he...
Sarah is standing on the beach with the sea waves behind her. She is standing next to her husband with his hand on her shoulder. She has her hands wrapped around her two children who are standing in front of her. All four of them are smiling at the camera.

Sarah’s Story – Microscopic Colitis

"It took eight years to get the correct diagnosis. For eight years, I struggled alone with my symptoms. Mentally, it...
Dove is at a conference wearing a pastel green suit and holding a large frame in front of her that is from the society of tissue viability. Her upper half of her body is inside the frame. Behind her is an large orange banner and table labelled as the British Lymphology Society.

Dove’s Story – IBS

"It wasn’t something people talked about much. I guess it’s uncomfortable to talk about your bowels, and you’d never look...

Lisa’s Story – Diverticular disease

‘Diverticulosis’ is when pouches are formed along the bowel wall. Most of the time, these pouches are completely harmless. Sometimes,...

Rachael’s Story – Oesophageal Cancer

When Rachael could no longer swallow food and water, she went to A&E and on her third visit, was kept...

Tiegan’s Story – IBS

Tell us about yourself “My name is Tiegan, I’m 24 years old from the South Coast. I live with my...

Ian’s Story – Oesophageal Cancer

Ian's story is told by his daughter Anna, with help from Ian's wife, Lisa, and son, Rich.

Alexandra’s Story – IBS

Tell us a little bit about you I’m Alexandra, 22 years old and born and bred in South West London....

Caroline’s Story – Microscopic Colitis

Caroline was going to the toilet around 20 times a day and woke up in the night with it too....

Victoria’s Story – Microscopic Colitis

It took 12 years for Victoria to finally be diagnosed with microscopic colitis. It wasn’t until she read Guts UK’s information...

Peter’s Story – Microscopic Colitis

Tell us a bit about you I’m Peter, 79 years old. I’ve been married for 57 years to my wife,...

Ellie’s Story – Crohn’s Disease

"I’ll never forget trying to revise for my AS Levels and even after a full night’s sleep I’d fall...

Elle’s Story – Eosinophilic Oesophagitis

"Lockdown came and we think I caught a virus (possibly COVID-19). I was really poorly for a week and...

James’ Story – Diverticulitis

James didn't realise he had diverticulosis (pockets in the bowel that are very common, and often nothing to worry about),...

Lilian’s Story – Diverticulitis

This is Lilian’s experience of diverticulitis, as told by her son, Darren, who has also experienced diverticulitis.

Rahul’s Story – IBS

Tell us a little bit about you My name is Rahul (he/they). I am a queer, trans, disabled, neurodivergent brown...
Sophie is looking at the camera smiling and has her hair down. She is wearing a black turtleneck long-sleeved top sat in front of a patterned tiled wall.

Sophie’s Story – Diverticular disease

"I had so many questions as a young person receiving my diagnosis, and I wish I had someone who had...

Rachael’s Story – Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a condition that affects the stomach and the name means stomach (gastro) paralysis (paresis). Gastroparesis is a chronic...
Garry looking happy with his hands in the air after completing a 10k run in his Guts UK running vest

Garry’s Story – Diverticulosis and diverticulitis

‘Diverticulosis’ is when pouches are formed along the bowel wall. Most of the time, these pouches are completely harmless. Sometimes, they can...

James’s Story – Achalasia

Achalasia is a condition that affects the nerves and muscles of the oesophagus (food pipe), mainly at the lower end...

Franz’ Story – Diverticulitis / diverticular disease

‘Diverticulosis’ is when pouches are formed along the bowel wall. Most of the time, these pouches are completely harmless. Sometimes, they can...

Fiona’s Story – Stomach Cancer

Every year about 6,700 people in the UK are diagnosed with stomach cancer. This is a rate of approximately 1...
Steven is smiling at the camera in a hospital gown. He has a nasal cannula delivering oxygen.

Steven’s story – Oesophageal cancer

In early 2021, Steven's GP told him "this could be nothing, but it could also be cancer." In July 2021,...

James’s Story – IBS

Tell us a little bit about you “I’m James and I’m 33 years old from Bath. I’m a big nerd...

Claire’s Story – Microscopic Colitis

Claire was diagnosed with microscopic colitis, even after her stool samples returned to the GP as normal. She shares her...

Amy’s story – Crohn’s Disease

Amy is our Communications Officer and has been a supporter of Guts UK since she found us in 2021. She...

Suzanne’s Story – Gallstones & Diverticulitis

Suzanne went to hospital with agonising pain in the middle of her chest one August. The hospital thought she’d had...
A digital character drawing of a white woman wearing a green jumper and navy trousers. The image is cropped to show the top of the trousers and upwards, and she is holding her hands to her stomach in pain. She has a pained look on her face.

Amna’s story – Coeliac Disease

"Sometimes, I’d feel like someone was stabbing me in the stomach. Once, I woke up in the night and I...

Phil’s Story – Diverticular disease / diverticulitis

Phil has a condition called diverticular disease, which is very common and most of the time, harmless. Phil’s bowel has developed small...

Beverly’s Story – Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

Photography: Graham Oxford, Photography Street Biliary Sphincter Disorder, formerly known as Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD). The Sphincter of Oddi...

Beth’s story – Slow Transit Constipation

Beth has a stoma due to slow transit constipation. There are three main mechanisms that may cause constipation. Slow transit...

Jennie’s Story – Oesophageal Cancer

Tell us a little bit about you “I’m a keen, competitive sailor. Overall I’d say I’m a sporty, active, pretty...

Rebecca’s Story – Bile Acid Malabsorption

Rebecca was diagnosed with Bile Acid Malabsorption. For years she was told it was Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but Rebecca knew...

Sofia’s Story – IBS

Sofia has had IBS for a number of years, which seemed to worsen after a bout of gastroenteritis (food poisoning).

Sarah’s Story – Gastroparesis

Sarah has a condition called gastroparesis. This is a condition that affects the stomach and the name means stomach (gastro)...

Paul’s Story – Gastroparesis

Paul has a condition called gastroparesis. The name means stomach (gastro) paralysis (paresis). Paul is sharing his story today to...

Lewis’ Story – Diverticular disease

Lewis has a condition of the large bowel (colon) called diverticular disease. Between 1 in 3, increasing to 1 in...

Jessica’s Story – Gastroparesis

Jessica has a condition called Gastroparesis. This is a condition that affects the stomach and the name means stomach (gastro)...

Tony’s Story – Stomach Cancer

This is Tony's story, as told by his wife Gill.

Cheryle is at a rave, dancing, with one arm up in the air. She is smiling and wears a dogtooth print vest top and black framed glasses. The photo is cropped from her waist upwards.

Cheryle’s story – Oesophageal cancer

Tell us a little bit about you  “I’m Cheryle, I live in Surrey and I am 51 years old. I’m...

John’s Story – Oesophageal Cancer

How was John diagnosed with oesophageal cancer? Early on in 2020, John started to feel full after eating small amounts...

Kay’s Story – Liver Cancer

Hayley bravely shares her mum’s story and experience with liver cancer. Here is Kay's story:

John in 2013, aged 61, sat on a park bench wearing a blue navy shirt looking at the camera.

John’s Story – Oesophageal cancer

John woke in the night throwing up blood. He had a burst stomach ulcer, and they found a tumour in...

Ben’s story – Crohn’s Disease

Ben needed stoma surgery for Crohn's disease. Although Ben was in pain after surgery, he knew it was a different...

Malcolm’s Story – Oesophageal Cancer

Malcolm's Story, as told by his daughter Gemma Cooper.

Steve’s Story – Oesophageal Cancer

Prudential Ride London brought oesophageal cancer survivor and doctor together after 6 years.

Lara’s Story – IBS

When Lara was first diagnosed she felt like a lost cause, with too many people dismissing IBS as just an...

Natalie’s Story – Bile Acid Malabsorption & Gallstones

Guts UK is proud to provide expert patient information on a range of digestive diseases and symptoms. We truly believe...

Grace’s Story – Achalasia

This is 3-year-old Grace's story as told by her mum and dad, Vanessa & Steve.

Howard’s Story – Duodenal cancer

This Howard's journey with duodenal cancer, as told by his wife, Amanda.

Rachel’s Story – Anaemia and IBD

Living with iron deficiency anaemia: Inflammatory bowel disease. “It’s not like normal tiredness - the fatigue is bone-crushing.”

Dannii’s Story – Achalasia

It is estimated that 1 in 100,000 new patients each year are affected by achalasia. September each year is achalasia awareness...

William’s Story – Diverticular Disease

William got in touch with Guts UK shortly after his 75th birthday. He'd taken on a life-long dream of doing...

Ray’s Story – IBS

“My name is Ray and I found Guts UK whilst I was researching my IBS symptoms online. Over the past...

Ann’s Story – Microscopic Colitis

Ann shares her Microscopic Colitis story   The relief of the right diagnosis – microscopic colitis Ann is 67 and...

Richard’s Story – Liver Transplant

Richard is a patient of Dr Mark Fox, Gastroenterologist at Whiston & St Helen’s Hospital who ran the London Marathon...

Diane’s Story – Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction

Coping with Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction (CIP) and Mesenteric Plexitis On reflection it all began in 1969 when Diane presented to...

Nikki’s Story – Living with IBS

Living with IBS is a constant battle; a battle that can leave you frustrated and often feeling exhausted.

Kim’s Story – Achalasia

My name is Kim and this is my story after recently being diagnosed with Achalasia. My hope through writing this,...

Cliff’s story- Autoimmune Hepatitis

This is Cliff's story about his experience with autoimmune hepatitis, after it going undetected for more than twenty years.

Ellie’s Story – Biliary Atresia

As told by Ellie’s mum, September 2017.

Alia’s Story – Achalasia

Alia has a condition called achalasia. This problem with her oesophagus can cause her to vomit and struggle to keep...

Alicia’s Story – Ulcerative Colitis

"I remember being on the bus back from college one day and felt the most excruciating pain I’d ever had...