Living with Crohn’s disease
Research into a new medical device for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) will help people like Tim who has been living with Crohn’s disease since he was 13.
Bionics Institute researchers have created a medical device that could stop the recurrence of inflammation and pain in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Tim’s story
When Tim returned from school camp struggling with stomach cramps and diarrhoea, at first he and his parents thought he’d caught a bug.
His symptoms didn’t get better and after multiple tests and diet changes, Tim had a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
Initially, Tim received steroids to settle down the inflammation in his gut. But, he found that his body would eventually get used to the medication and it would become less effective, and his specialist would need to prescribe a new drug.
He also found that living with Crohn’s disease was very limiting because you never know when it is going to flare up.
When he was at university, Tim felt a sudden onset of immense pain and collapsed. He went straight to emergency, and it was discovered he had a perforated bowel, which required surgery.
Despite these setbacks Tim is determined not to let it define him. He has a very positive attitude and looks after himself with a healthy diet and exercise.
He has even run a couple of marathons in the years since his surgery, and has used his experience of living with Crohn’s disease to make theatrical performances to spread awareness and challenge the stigmas associated with the disease.
Tim is thankful for all the medical support he has received over the years and is appreciative that his symptoms are controlled most of the time.
He chooses to live the best life possible and is excited about what the future holds following research into Crohn’s disease.
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