Chloe Meadows so ‘scared' she ignored ulcerative colitis symptoms for a decade
'I went to a college where I boarded when I was 16. I was staying away from home and I was living in a student house and there was blood down the toilet', she told Dr Oscar Duke's Bedside Manners podcast.
'I remember I told my mum and I was like, there's quite a lot of blood down the toilet. I'm not really sure what's going on.
'She was of course like, go to the doctors. I went to the doctors, and they said that I would have to have a colonoscopy, which is a camera into the bowel.'
Meadows added: 'At this point in my life, I had never really ever been to the hospital. I'd never been sick.
'I'd never had any procedure or operation. I'd never been sedated. I'd never had anything and the doctor referred me and I got this letter, and this is awful, but I got this letter and I just never went to the appointment because I was terrified.
'Then I ignored it and what would happen, which is what I realise now, is that I can go into remission, I can go into a flare-up in remission.
'It would stop for periods of time so that the blood would go away. I'd be like, 'Oh, cool, it's gone away, I'm better. There's nothing wrong with me'.
'I'd go through years where it wouldn't happen and then it would happen again, and then it would stop again.
'I would probably lie to my mum about how much it would happen because she always pestered me about it and I was like, 'No, it's fine'.
'I just got on with it and ignored it. I think I was scared of having any procedure done.
'I was also scared of what they were going to tell me … I was just terrified, which is not really a reason not to go to the doctor, but I think that's just what I thought.
'I was young as well, so I would forget when there wasn't blood down the toilet, I would completely forget.'
Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed, according to the NHS website.
Symptoms include recurring diarrhoea, which may contain blood, extreme tiredness, loss of appetite and weight loss.
Meadows said she had some health checks aged 26, 10 years after her symptoms first appeared, after she went on a diet at a time where she was also losing a lot of blood.
Her mother intervened and said she should go to the doctors and get a blood test as she looked 'grey'.
While she was out filming, after she had the blood tests, Meadows received a number of missed calls from her father who then texted her to say a doctor had advised her she should got straight to A&E because her 'blood was so low'.
'I went to the hospital. I had to have all of these checks and these iron infusions and that was where it started,' she said.
Meadows also revealed that she had 'probably my longest flare-up' after filming a nerve wracking scene on Towie.
Some people with ulcerative colitis may go for weeks or months with very mild symptoms, or none at all (remission), followed by flare-ups and relapses, according to the NHS website.
Treatment options include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and surgery.
Charity Crohn's And Colitis UK says there are more than 300,000 people in the UK living with colitis.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
29 minutes ago
- The Independent
Why the resident doctors are wrong to go on a five-day strike
The imminent strikes by the BMA resident doctors pose a moment of sadness. It is sad for patients and sad for the NHS. We are in the economic equivalent of a Covid crisis in the NHS; if the proposed reforms aren't delivered, it will be an existential crisis for our health system. I do not say that at all lightly, but I do say it from decades of knowledge and experience. It is a relief that reforms are already starting to see things moving in the right direction, but this action will choke off that recovery and put the NHS in a perilous place. I was a GP for 29 years. It is a privilege to be a clinician and share people's lives at difficult moments. It is our professional duty to put the people we care for before ourselves. Last year's (and this year's) pay award amounts to a 28.9 per cent increase for resident doctors compared with three years ago. It is what many other people dream of, not to mention the almost unique index-linked NHS pensions. It cannot have been easy to persuade the Treasury to pay out in such resource-constrained times. Having pocketed that, the resident doctors now need to accept that there is no more money for pay – reform has to have priority. That said, there are valid issues to be sorted out in training, allocation to jobs, and working conditions. It isn't right that resident doctors can be randomly allocated to posts, disrupting lives, or find the catering arrangements totally inadequate when on call. However, the NHS 10-year plan contains within it a pledge to deal with such matters with speed. So, I just don't understand the call for a strike. It is disproportionate when there is such an open door. Without getting too Monty Python, as a junior doctor, I did one in two or one in three 'on calls', which meant working the days and also working through every other night (or third night) with time beyond 40 hours paid at a third of our normal rate. It was brutal, but our representatives worked to make things better – and from this, the current generation benefits. We wouldn't ever have considered taking action against our patients. And this action is against patients. The resident doctors may be worried about their futures, but so is every patient who now might not be treated. Polls suggest patients do not agree with the resident doctors. I hope the public supports the NHS and opposes the resident doctors this time. I hope resident doctors support the NHS – and not their leaders. The proposed action will further erode trust by people in the NHS. It is already at an all-time low, and the consent of the nation to use 40 per cent of departmental spend on a poorly performing healthcare system is unlikely to continue without improvement. This resident doctors' action almost guarantees the end of the NHS if they continue, playing into the hands of those who want to have a different healthcare system. This action is the industrial relations equivalent of the charge of the Light Brigade. The resident doctors should remember the spirit of the Hippocratic oath; first, do no harm.
Scottish Sun
29 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Woman on Mounjaro warns people to ‘NEVER go cold turkey' after revealing brutal side effects when she had supply issues
Plus, all the side effects of using fat jabs WEIGHT UP Woman on Mounjaro warns people to 'NEVER go cold turkey' after revealing brutal side effects when she had supply issues Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN has shared the brutally honest truth about what happened when she was forced to ''go cold turkey'' from Mounjaro. Content creator Freya has been using the fat jab to help manage her weight. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The TikToker shared the brutally honest truth about being forced to 'go cold turkey' from Mounjaro Credit: tiktok/@freyatheblondieee 3 Freya revealed she was on 'a high dose' of the medication Credit: tiktok/@freyatheblondieee 3 Mounjaro is typically used to treat type 2 diabetes Credit: Getty However, in a recent post, the young TikToker revealed she had to temporarily stop the popular medication while waiting for a new pen to arrive — and the effect was immediate. Mounjaro is regarded by some as the King Kong of weight loss jabs. Sun GP Dr Zoe Williams acknowledged that Mounjaro, which has been rolled out on the NHS, can save the lives of people with 'life-threatening levels of obesity.' But despite this, the NHS warned: 'Never take an anti-obesity medicine if it has not been prescribed to you. "These types of medicines may not be safe for you and can cause serious side effects.' About half a million Brits use weight loss drugs - and the number is expected to double in the next year. Mounjaro works by suppressing your appetite, making people feel fuller for longer. The injections are licensed for patients with type 2 diabetes and to assist those who are clinically obese (with a Body Mass Index of 30 or over). One jab is administered each week but the duration is dependent on someone's weight. The now-viral video, which has racked up more than an astronomical 1.1million views, shows Freya demolishing a stacked cheeseburger. I went on fat jabs but the hair loss was unbelievable so I quit - I'd rather be chubby with hair than skinny and bald ''Take this as a sign to NEVER go cold turkey from Mounjaro,'' she wrote. ''I would have done very sinister things for this burger. ''My hunger is out of control - I want to punch everyone who is not food in the face.'' In the comments, Freya, who posts under the username @freyatheblondieee, explained: ''Having issues with getting my next dosage, which is the only reason I'm cold turkey right now. Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. ''It's not by choice - I think drastically dropping is far too risky for weight gain.'' The TikToker also confirmed she had been on a ''high dose'' of the jab. Social media users react The brutally honest clip sparked over 600 comments left by fellow fat jab users - many of whom opened up about their experience of ''food noise''. ''Food noise'' is the term used to describe the near-constant stream of thoughts about eating that some people struggle to switch off. More often than not, this leads to cravings for calorie-dense, low-nutrient foods and episodes of bingeing. One wrote: ''I gained three stone in six months after I stopped it. Went to Turkey, had the [gastric] balloon.'' Another chimed in: ''The hunger that comes after it is awful - I've put on a stone in six weeks. Waste of money.'' A third said: ''I forgot to order my jab in time and was a literal feral person. This made me laugh so much but equally terrified to come off.'' However, others pointed out that in their eyes medications like Mounjaro aren't a permanent fix - but rather tools to help users develop healthier habits in the long run. One follower shared: ''I was absolutely starving when I came off it. ''Took so much willpower for a couple of weeks, but now I'm eating just like I was when I was on it. ''Lost three stone with Mounjaro and another two since stopping. You just have to push through until the hunger passes.'' Another said: ''Been off it three days and I'm definitely eating more. But this is where willpower comes in. I'll never be the 26 stone I was last year.'' What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs? Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects. Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include: Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts. Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea. Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset. Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation. Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort. Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss. Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating. Serious side effects can also include: Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon. Thyroid tumors: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic. Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin. The reality of Mounjaro Although many have boasted about weight loss success since using Mounjaro, last year it was revealed that Scots nurse Susan McGowan, 58, died after taking low-dose injections of Mounjaro over a fortnight. A probe also found that nearly 400 people have gone to hospital after taking weight loss drugs. The common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, which can lead to severe dehydration. And if that wasn't bad enough, doctors say they have also seen 'life-threatening complications', including seizures, bowel obstruction and inflammation of the pancreas. Model Lottie Moss, 27, even said she had a seizure after taking high doses of Ozempic. The makers of Mounjaro, Lilly UK, said patient safety is its 'top priority'. Lilly UK stressed: 'Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data. 'If anyone is experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine, they should talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional.'
The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
Woman on Mounjaro warns people to ‘NEVER go cold turkey' after revealing brutal side effects when she had supply issues
A WOMAN has shared the brutally honest truth about what happened when she was forced to ''go cold turkey'' from Mounjaro. Content creator Freya has been using the fat jab to help manage her weight. 3 3 However, in a recent post, the young TikToker revealed she had to temporarily stop the popular medication while waiting for a new pen to arrive — and the effect was immediate. Mounjaro is regarded by some as the King Kong of weight loss jabs. Sun GP Dr Zoe Williams acknowledged that Mounjaro, which has been rolled out on the NHS, can save the lives of people with 'life-threatening levels of obesity.' But despite this, the NHS warned: 'Never take an anti-obesity medicine if it has not been prescribed to you. "These types of medicines may not be safe for you and can cause serious side effects.' About half a million Brits use weight loss drugs - and the number is expected to double in the next year. Mounjaro works by suppressing your appetite, making people feel fuller for longer. The injections are licensed for patients with type 2 diabetes and to assist those who are clinically obese (with a Body Mass Index of 30 or over). One jab is administered each week but the duration is dependent on someone's weight. The now-viral video, which has racked up more than an astronomical 1.1million views, shows Freya demolishing a stacked cheeseburger. I went on fat jabs but the hair loss was unbelievable so I quit - I'd rather be chubby with hair than skinny and bald ''Take this as a sign to NEVER go cold turkey from Mounjaro,'' she wrote. ''I would have done very sinister things for this burger. ''My hunger is out of control - I want to punch everyone who is not food in the face.'' In the comments, Freya, who posts under the username @ freyatheblondieee, explained: ''Having issues with getting my next dosage, which is the only reason I'm cold turkey right now. Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. ''It's not by choice - I think drastically dropping is far too risky for weight gain.'' The TikToker also confirmed she had been on a '' high dose '' of the jab. Social media users react The brutally honest clip sparked over 600 comments left by fellow fat jab users - many of whom opened up about their experience of '' food noise ''. ''Food noise'' is the term used to describe the near-constant stream of thoughts about eating that some people struggle to switch off. More often than not, this leads to cravings for calorie-dense, low-nutrient foods and episodes of bingeing. One wrote: ''I gained three stone in six months after I stopped it. Went to Turkey, had the [ gastric ] balloon.'' Another chimed in: ''The hunger that comes after it is awful - I've put on a stone in six weeks. Waste of money.'' A third said: ''I forgot to order my jab in time and was a literal feral person. This made me laugh so much but equally terrified to come off.'' However, others pointed out that in their eyes medications like Mounjaro aren't a permanent fix - but rather tools to help users develop healthier habits in the long run. One follower shared: ''I was absolutely starving when I came off it. ''Took so much willpower for a couple of weeks, but now I'm eating just like I was when I was on it. ''Lost three stone with Mounjaro and another two since stopping. You just have to push through until the hunger passes.'' Another said: ''Been off it three days and I'm definitely eating more. But this is where willpower comes in. I'll never be the 26 stone I was last year.'' What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs? Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects. Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include: Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts. Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea. Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset. Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation. Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort. Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss. Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating. Serious side effects can also include: Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon. Thyroid tumors: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic. Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin. The reality of Mounjaro Although many have boasted about weight loss success since using Mounjaro, last year it was revealed that Scots nurse Susan McGowan, 58, died after taking low-dose injections of Mounjaro over a fortnight. A probe also found that nearly 400 people have gone to hospital after taking weight loss drugs. The common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, which can lead to severe dehydration. And if that wasn't bad enough, doctors say they have also seen 'life-threatening complications', including seizures, bowel obstruction and inflammation of the pancreas. Model Lottie Moss, 27, even said she had a seizure after taking high doses of Ozempic. The makers of Mounjaro, Lilly UK, said patient safety is its 'top priority'. Lilly UK stressed: 'Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data. 'If anyone is experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine, they should talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional.'
