Patient Stories Hub

Patient Stories

Patients often become experts on their own medical condition – find out how these community members manage their healthcare, and learn from the experts. Everyone with a bladder or bowel control problem will have a different story to tell and we are proud to be able to share so many of these with you.

These bladder and bowel patient stories can offer hope, inspiration and practical guidance to others in a similar situation.  Being able to identify with someone and make a connection can be the first step towards an eventual recovery – each story could help change someone’s life.

Please contact us to find out how you can share your story and how this could help raise awareness.

By working together we can help people understand more about these problems, the challenges faced and how and where to access health professional support.

Read some of our recent stories below.

Diary of a Kidney Warrior

To highlight World Kidney Day on 14th March 2024, we chatted with Dee Moore, an Occupational Therapy Assistant from Birmingham who was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease in 2018 after being struck down with a mystery infection. Dee’s…

Crohn’s Disease hasn’t beaten me

After years of escalating bowel issues, Mark was eventually diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in October 2022 but the effects of a late diagnosis have had a serious impact on Mark’s life. We highlight his story as part of Crohn's and Colitis…

I’m back living life after beating bowel cancer

David McVey, 58  from Glasgow noticed that he was having trouble going to the toilet and that there was blood in his poo. Prompt action from both David and his GP meant that he is still around to tell his story of going through a bowel

My endometriosis was misdiagnosed as IBS

Helen Brook, 36  from West Yorkshire had struggled with bowel symptoms since her teens with experiencing bloating and pain that got worse when she reached her 20s. After seeing various GP’s, and bowel specialists, they were unable to find…

There’s light after stoma surgery

When Rocco Mann, 20 from Banbury in Oxfordshire was first diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, his biggest fear was ending up with a stoma bag. What he thought was his worst fears coming true, Rocco learned to embrace having an ileostomy and…

My videos help others with Interstitial Cystitis 

Jordan Bew, 36 from Cornwall spent nearly 2 years suffering from crippling, painful bladder symptoms before being diagnosed with a little known condition called Interstitial Cystitis in October 2022. Jordan shares his story about getting…

Marcus – Living with Bladder Incontinence

Marcus, from Kent was diagnosed with bladder incontinence around four years ago, however he says that he has experienced bladder symptoms for as long as he can remember and these have gradually worsened over time. Here, Marcus bravely

Pilates has helped me through Menopause

'Invincible Claire' was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency and thyroid disease, after trying to start a family later in life. She now uses Pilates to manage symptoms of menopause and help others. Read her story.

Endometriosis – The Destructive Disease

Anna Cooper, 29 was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 17. She spent her teens suffering with heavy, erratic periods and severe abdominal pain. After 15 surgeries and her 16th planned to treat stage 4 endometriosis, Anna uses her…