Ex EastEnders actress has ‘breakdown' as she spots her ribs in picture after illness led to dramatic weight loss
, 32, was
after experiencing "horrible nausea" in 2023.
5
Melissa Suffield has opened up in a candid post
Credit: Instagram
5
She has unintentionally lost weight due to SIBO
Credit: Instagram
5
Melissa often promotes a positive body image
Credit: Instagram
Since battling SIBO, the former Lucy Beale star has shed weight unintentionally, with the results of this now visible.
Sharing a snap from inside a fitting room, Melissa could be seen donning a bright green plunging dress.
"I had a bit of a breakdown today," Melissa began her post.
She said: "Today has been not a very good day.
Read More about Melissa
"I had a bit of a menty b in the changing rooms while I was filming some bits.
"I'm sure light didn't help, but I could see my ribs visible in the middle of my chest," she explained, referring to her chest area visible because of the plunging neckline.
Melissa added: "And I just totally lost it. Like, cartoon floods of tears, unable to catch breath, that sort of thing.
"You can see it on my face, like I am seconds away from breaking the f*ck down. And that is indeed what then happened."
Most read in TV
Getting even more emotional, Melissa went on: "It's just such a visible reminder of how much SIBO has taken from me. How much else I've lost along with the weight.
'I HATE IT'
"And that doesn't even begin to cover the mental/emotional impact.
Former EastEnders star opens up about drastic weight loss after health battle and says she was healthier when she was bigger
"The fact that we glorify weight loss so much much is weighing so heavy on me, especially when I look in the mirror and see this. I hate it.
"I know there are people who would be overjoyed to see this, but when you lose the weight like this, trust me, it's not a nice feeling. There is no accomplishment. Just a reminder of everything you have lost.
"And no matter how often I talk about it, I'm going through it alone. Nobody will ever truly understand, even if they're going through it themselves.
"Nobody else will know what I'm thinking when my legs feel so heavy I can barely manage the stairs. Or how lonely it is when you're still awake at 3am because the nausea won't let you lay down."
What is SIBO?
SIBO is also known as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.
Melissa experiences nausea, reflux, constipation, and other symptoms like her hair falling out and suffering from dry skin.
According to the
Melissa then spoke about how she often talks about body confidence and embracing change, but noted how "this feels different" because there is "nothing to embrace".
ANGRY BECAUSE OF SIBO
She added how the impact her long term illness has had on her body image is "wild" before saying her body is "broken".
The former soap star then said how she has to be a mother, an attentive partner, a cleaner, a cook and everything else in between, but when she was in the changing room, it was just her.
"But in that changing room, nobody else, I'm just me. There aren't any responsibilities or asks.
"So she puts it all down and she breaks in half.
"And then she dries her eyes, and she cracks on. Again," she said.
Melissa then revealed the "two good things" to come out of the "breakdown".
"I got angry," she penned, revealing the first "good thing".
"Yet again, another renewed fire for talking about SIBO. For educating as many people as possible. For helping people understand the symptoms, for forcing healthcare professionals to sit up and listen, for changing the perception, and for advocating for treatment.
"A fight I will always show up for, no matter what."
She then revealed the second "good thing", saying: "I bought the dress anyway. Because I love the colour, the cut, and of course, the pockets.
"I'm not going to let SIBO take anything else from me."
'THERE'S NO JOY'
Last year,
"Obviously, I've lost quite a lot of weight this year," Melissa began, adding: "But absolutely none of that has been through choice. None of it. Like I'm back in my pre-pregnancy jeans."
'She added: "But there's no joy," noting: "I don't enjoy the fact that that's happened at all in the way that you know, that's like a goal for a lot of people.
"A) It was never a goal for me. But B) this is the complete antithesis of whatever I've ever wanted with my body.
"So that's been tricky for sure. And then also, just on top of that, like my skin and my hair has been like affected.
"Now I'm dealing with feelings of, you know, not enjoying the way that I look, which is frustrating because I've done such a lot of work to get me to a place where."
5
Melissa has a mass following on social media and raises awareness of SIBO while promoting body confidence
Credit: Instagram/@the.confidentmama
5
Melissa previously played the role of Lucy Beale in EastEnders
Credit: BBC
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Annabelle doll' handler Dan Rivera dies suddenly at 54 while touring with America's most infamous ‘haunted' object
A PARANORMAL investigator has died while traveling across the US with the real purportedly haunted doll that inspired the horror movie series Annabelle. Dan Rivera, 54, was found dead inside his hotel room while handling the doll known as America's most haunted object. 4 Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera, 54, has died while traveling across the US with a purportedly haunted doll Credit: Instagram/dan_rivera_nespr 4 The Annabelle doll reportedly wreaked havoc on a family in the 1970s and inspired a horror movie series Credit: Alamy 4 A recreation of the doll was made for the movies Credit: Getty He had stopped in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania during his Devils on the Run tour when he was found on Sunday night, according to the First responders performed CPR, but he couldn't be saved, the New England Society for Psychic Research, which was hosting the tour, announced. Rivera's official cause of death hasn't been released. The investigator has been remembered as a beloved friend who was passionate about educating others on paranormal activity. read more news stories All three of his shows scheduled for the Gettysburg stop were sold out. "We are heartbroken and still processing this loss," wrote the society. "Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal. "His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him." Most read in The US Sun Rivera, who is a US Army veteran, was working as the lead investigator for the society when he died. His death came just months after he achieved viral fame on TikTok by posting about his paranormal tour and findings on the historic doll. The real Annabelle, a Raggedy Ann doll, has been blamed for several eerie paranormal attacks over the decades. The toy was first given to a student nurse Donna in 1970 as a gift from her mother. Donna claims that Annabelle would move from room to room without explanation, and wrote eerie notes that said "Help us." A friend of Donna's mother named Lou even claimed that one time when staying at their home, he woke up to a feeling of being strangled and had scratches on his body. He remembers watching his horror as Annabelle stared at him during the attack, according to the society. The New England Society for Psychic Research's full statement on Rivera's death " It's with deep sadness that Tony, Wade, and I share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera. " We are heartbroken and still processing this loss. " Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal. " His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him. " Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time. " HAUNTING HISTORY Donna's mom and her nurse called a medium, who told them the story of a girl named Annabelle Higgins who was found dead at the age of seven. They then called paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who inspired The Conjuring films, to look into the eerie claims. In a lecture given at Rutgers University in 1987, the Warrens claimed that Annabelle would "slash" people's skin with her psychic powers. They said that a priest threw the doll across the room once and said, "No doll or demon is stronger than God" before running his car into a tree. The doll was being held at the Warrens' Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, until 2019, when Lorraine died and the museum closed. Legend has it that a man was killed by the doll after he banged on its case, despite being warned not to touch it. Rivera, who was mentored by the couple, took ownership of Annabelle and hoped to continue their work with his research and tour. His sudden death came after the Warren family had to squash claims that the doll had disappeared. 4 Rivera's cause of death hasn't been released Credit: Instagram/dan_rivera_nespr More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Like us on Facebook at
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Champions League winner's son, 18, follows dad's famous footsteps by signing first professional contract
WESLEY SNEIJDER'S son has taken his first steps into professional football after signing a senior contract with Dutch side Utrecht. Jessey Sneijder, 18, has penned a deal with the club after impressing for their academy. 4 Jessey Sneijder, the son of Dutch icon Wesley, has signed his first pro deal Credit: Instagram / @wesleysneijder 4 The midfielder will turn out for Utrecht's youth team in the Dutch second tier Credit: Instagram / @jesseysneijder_ He will turn out for their junior team who feature in Holland's second tier. Jessey plays in midfield, just like his old man. He is the only child from Sneijder's marriage to ex-wife Ramona Streekstra, but has a half-sister called Xess from his dad's current marriage to Yolanthe Cabau. And Jessey can't wait to lace up his boots at Utrecht in the new season. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL He said: 'This is a dream come true. Since joining the Utrecht academy, I've worked hard to reach this moment. 'Signing my first professional contract feels like a reward, but also the start of a new step. 'I want to continue developing and, first and foremost, play as many minutes as possible next season.' Jessey has some way to go if he wants to match his dad's achievements. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Sneijder, 41, won league trophies at The playmaker also starred for Galatasaray and Nice before ending his career in 2019 with Qatari side Al-Gharafa. Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers 4 Jessey is the only child from Sneijder's first marriage and has a half-sister called Xess Credit: Getty 4 His dad won the Treble with Inter Milan in 2010 Credit: Getty Images - Getty Sneijder managed an incredible 156 goals in 575 career outings. And he also netted 31 times in 134 games for the Netherlands. Sneijder revealed his immense pride at Jessey's accomplishment. And he congratulated his son on social media, saying: 'I am so very proud of you. 'Go to Utrecht at the age of 15 and sign your first professional contract after three years! Your perseverance and will power have been rewarded.'
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘You were my person, my safe space' – B*Witched star Sinead O'Carroll shares heartfelt tribute to dad after his passing
B*WITCHED star Sinead O'Carroll has shared a heartfelt tribute to her beloved dad after his passing. The Irish singer's dad, Eamonn, sadly passed away last Thursday, July 10, after a "short illness". 2 Sinead shared a heartfelt tribute to her dad Credit: Instagram 2 Eamonn sadly passed away after a 'short illness' Credit: Instagram Sinead took to She wrote: "Today I said goodbye to my beautiful dad. You were my person, my safe place, your legacy is your patience, kindness, support, generosity and wisdom. "What a beautiful send off with all your family and friends around you. You loved us all so much. We loved you. May you rest in peace. My gentle man." Eamonn's death notice described him as a "much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend", and said he passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. READ MORE ON B*WITCHED It read: "Beloved husband of Barbara and devoted father to Sinead, Paul, Elaine, and Ailish. Cherished father-in-law to Meabh, Michael, Darren, and Andy. "Eamonn will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his family, friends, neighbours, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him." Fans and friends flooded Sinead's comment section with messages of support and condolences. Ireland AM star Most read in Celebrity Brendan Courtney said: "Oh Sinead - I am so very sorry for your loss - sending you love and light." Oh @officialsinocarroll , I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending love and strength to you ." B-Witched perform on Late Late Show Sue said: "He was such a gentleman, I'm so so sorry for you and your families loss. Thinking of you all, a wonderful 'bloke'." Another added: "Ah Sinead we are so sad to read this news. Sending big love to you, your dear mum and family." Earlier this year, the legendary 90s band appeared on the Late Late Show for The pop group which is formed of twin sisters Edele and Keavy Lynch, and Lindsay Armaou and Sinead O'Carroll - first shot to fame back in 1998 with their hit tunes C'est La Vie and Rollercoaster. B*Witched officially announced their return back in 2023 to celebrate 25 years since they formed. 'ICONS' They jumped out on stage in the RTE studio with high energy and had everyone in the audience up on their feet. They started off their performance singing their latest 2024 track, So Into You, before going into their biggest hit C'est La Vie, which was first released in 1998. The singers also showed off their dance skills as they looked happier-than-ever busting their best moves in unison on stage. RTE Late Late Show shared a short clip of their segment over on Instagram and had everyone gushing. Elaine wrote: "Jesus it's like I've aged 30 years and time has stood still for them, they look so young." Laura said: "Icons!!! They nailed this performance. Still got it ladies." Edel added: "Wow these ladies can sing, dance and look absolutely amazing. Let's see more of them."
