Alannah McGrory was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in May 2016. At the time she was experiencing symptoms of weight loss (she lost 6kg in six weeks), diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. 

“I initially had gone to the GP that April, and following a stool test which indicated IBD, I was referred to Sligo University Hospital. More tests were undertaken and I was sent home on a course of antibiotics. In the absence of answers, and with things getting no better, to the point where not even water would stay down, my parents made the decision to go through A&E in the Galway Clinic that May. I was admitted, scoped in both directions and put on steroids for the first time. Days later, I was given a diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease. I was placed on steroids and various drugs.  

I have had a number of ups and down since then. My appendix burst in February 2020. Two weeks post-op, I had an infection. I spent a week in hospital to drain the infection. Two weeks later, the infection returned, and the wound had to be opened back up and cleaned out. However, it never closed and I so I had to undergo more surgery. I also had a number of bowel blockages in September, October and November 2021. This all took a toll on my mental health and so I undertook counselling and had a few cognitive behaviour therapy sessions which helped a lot. Ultimately, I had a colectomy in January 2022. 

My diagnosis of Crohn’s has made me more resilient and life in general hasn’t been affected too much. Day-to-day, the biggest thing is fatigue. By the end of the week, I’d have nothing left in me so I always ensure to have a day just to relax. Hair loss management is also a part of life now. I can have joint pain in my knees and wrists every now and then too. 

It has also meant that in my case, I can’t have chocolate anymore and I was such a chocoholic before. Despite all that, I still manage to do all I want to do, like the going to gym classes three days a week. 

As for the future, my hope is to pass my driving test – hopefully fourth time lucky – and to travel to as many places as possible and learn about other people and their cultures. I would also love to represent Donegal in the Rose of Tralee! 

If there is one message about IBD that I would like to pass on to people, it is that ‘it’s not just about the loo, it affects the entire body inside and out.

Alannah has a degree in Pharmaceutical Science with Drug Development, and now works in the area of clinical trials.