Invisible disability: Inflammatory bowel disease- BBC London

What's it like living with an invisible disability in London? 540,000 people have inflammatory bowel disease in the UK and more than 69,000 of them are in the capital.

Some people say the lack of toilets is the worst thing about living in the city. (Source: Crohn's & Colitis UK)

Bethany Jacobs has Crohn's disease and now lives with a permanent stoma bag. She said: "I think you do need to break down those barriers and open up these conversations where we talk about invisible illnesses such as Crohn’s disease."

Video by Gem O'Reilly

[HeartFarts]

Why does nobody talk about the JOINT PAIN???

[cameronclasper]

For anyone with an IBD like myself. I’d highly recommended joining the crohns and colitis charity - you get a card which helps you explain York condition when you need to go in shops etc and a radar key to access public disabled toilets when required. Both very useful!

[alixena]

As an Australian tourist I can vouch for the fact that are insufficient public toilets in London. It is just ridiculous.

[cardiyansane]

Invisible and lonely indeed. When the word disability is used people expect to see a wheelchair, cane, oxygen tank etc but they never realize it’s just as bad especially because you don’t get the recognition, sympathy or support as other disabled people

[spurhbexpressingmentalhe]

Iam fully on board with you the struggles everyday are challenging and planing a long or short travel to use toilets on the way are a must. They would also have to be clean constantly because we need to be in a hygienic environment that’s my worry or maybe just my OCD. However may god have mercy on all of us that have invisible disability and make it easy for us love you all.

[jeanettekruger]

I was diagnosed with Crohn's in March 2023. I have been told that I have to wait at least 1 year to see an IBD specialist. In the meantime, I have not received any info about diet or medication. This is Ipswitch Hospital

[paramedicchrisbookseries]

I totally get this suffering from chrohn's disease and anxiety. Bless Bethany.

[mdmanuarhossain]

London needs more and more public toilets.

[Aeifygia]

Let’s put a like for support - anyone of us that has even a mild case of chronic bowel irritation (Collitis etc.) - kudos to bbc for highliting this issue and million kudos to this person who chose to share her strength…

[suganthinimahendran]

Totally agree with you. Should cafes and restaurant be asked to let customer use the toilets

[kgrfirdjy]

lnflammatory bowel disease, dunbar syndrome, primary immunodeficiency, type 1 diabetic autonomic neuropathy, and having even more invisible disabilities are issues i deal with on a daily basis. being a young american adult with a normal appearance and no universal healthcare has made getting disability assistance from the federal government ludicrous. i am a registered nurse // emt with multiple bachelor's degrees and graduated among the top of my class. I want to work, but need a pancreas transplant to do any meaningful employment. This is provided all my medical appointments do not interfere with work. Good luck, everyone.

[jesusisking]

I have ulcerative colitis how do you get access to a card?

[jesusisking]

Hi, I have IBD. I will be going to a primary care unit soon, but I'm not sure what they will say. Will I need a stoma bag for my condition?

[beaulieuc]

i have IBD and i have a Radar key when I am out and about to get access to disabled facilities, but they are often hard to find in London. i do need to be 10/15 mins near a loo. i tend to use buses rather than the tube network, easier to get access to loos i also have a card.

[KentBrockman]

I have Crohn’s disease since 2019 and I’ve noticed within the last 6 months that my hands have felt very tight, sore and sometimes fall asleep overnight . I have quite a few flare ups and I’m wondering if the two are connected . Any advice ?

[verdensrike]

Can anyone please help me to understand if I have UC or Crohn's disease or something else? I have been dealing recently with frequent bowel movements in the morning sometimes (3-6times), also having heartburn every morning and left sided abdominal pain/discomfort. My tools sometimes look like mushy pies but bright brown coloured and malabsorbed.
What could be my condition?
My blood markers all fine, except the fecal Calprotectin which was 91ug/g last time.
Thank you

[myselfself_-]

what are the symtoms of ibd or crohns disease ?

[michellekremani]

U can drink coffee with Chron’s disease ? She is holding a coffee in the end ?

[RS]

Has anyone noticed a correlation between IBD and having a recessed jaw (which leads to reduced airway and causes a cascade of stress responses in the body)? We need to be fixing the root issue of this disease, and I think this may be a major factor.

[sandrakassem-tunx]

The question you need ask is why there is so many with bowel disease i would look at the food quality in this country anyone inspecting?cause Ecoli found its way onto the shelves and further 200 cases of ill individuals to expose the lack of food inspection in this country amongst other things