“I feel like I am one of the lucky ones being diagnosed so quickly when some people wait years for answers.” Amanda’s story
My journey started in mid-February 2024. When my symptoms first started I was a few weeks from taking my daughter to Sydney for her 15th birthday.
Going on a plane feeling bloated, gassy and wondering if I can make the trip without needing the toilet a bazillion times was certainly not on my list.
I had never known such high anxiety until this trip, walking around an exhibition at the Australian Museum not knowing if my body will be good or I would have to run and find a toilet.
A week after coming back home I was getting worse. Digesting food was painful so I finally went to the doctor after not eating for a week.
I think I spent 2 months going back and forth asking the doctor to hassle the hospital because my symptoms were getting worse.
Eventually I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy. Four months later I got my diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and started daily Salofalk granules.
In February 2025 I started having what would be my first known flare up. I think I lost about 6kgs in 4 weeks.
The specialist got me in urgently to have another procedure which showed that I still had a lot of inflammation in my rectum. I started an enema that was nightly for a month and after that a steroid for a month.
Since this treatment finished I have been reasonably well, no sign of bloody stools/diarrhea, the gas and bloating is less and the pains are barely there.
At my worst I barely left home which affected my daughter and her schooling.
When I go out with friends, I become anxious, even when I’m in a good place pain wise as it can still change instantly. I still need toilets urgently but not as often.
I feel like I am one of the lucky ones being diagnosed so quickly when some people wait years for answers.