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Dave's Story for National Honesty Day
Tomorrow is National Honesty Day.
Right now, there are over 500,000 people in the UK living with Crohn’s and Colitis, the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The symptoms can be debilitating and include stomach pain, blood in your poo, fatigue and needing to go for a poo urgently and often, including during the night.
The warning signs of Crohn’s and Colitis are widely misunderstood and, frankly, embarrassing for many. It may be tempting to ignore them: after all nobody likes talking about their bowels!
In the run up to National Honesty Day, we’ll be sharing blogs co-written with some of our wonderful supporters, who themselves have struggled to be open about their Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in the past. The first is from Dave.
We spoke to Dave about his journey towards being more accepting of his condition and how he’s helping to break the taboo.
I’m 56 and live near Hull. I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease at the age of 23. I am currently dealing with inflammation in the large & small bowel and symptoms really vary with low platelets a continual problems. Away from Crohn's I’m a lifelong Hull City fan. I work as a Mystery Shopper & used to be a football commentator.
Crohn's Disease could never be described as ‘sexy’. It’s bodily functions that people don’t talk about gone wrong. Urgent protracted toilet visits conjure up images and smells others won’t want to know about.
I felt others wouldn’t understand what I and other people living with the condition were going through.
The smell, the noises and the inconvenience of planning trips around toilet access. Going to a football match away from home meant often needing a service station stop or bunging myself up with loperamide to get through.
You can’t really say - Hi guys I’ve bunged myself up with anti diarrhoea tablets OR Crap that’s 15 miles to the Moto, I might not make it
I still felt embarrassment more than anything and I think that's okay. It is always a relief to meet a fellow person living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease but I find it can be deflating if they are in remission and you aren’t.
Avoid graphic details as I've found sometimes people struggle to understand. I would start by explaining your situation and how it affects you. Perhaps advise in advance if you feel you might need to go to the toilet urgently so people have warning. Everyone can then be prepared to make allowances and support you.
Want to share your story?
We hear from people every day who rely on the Crohn’s and Colitis community for help and support. Sharing your experience can be helpful and inspiring.
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Helpline Service
Temporary closure - 10/06/2026
Our Helpline will be closed from Wednesday 10 June and will reopen at 10am on Monday 15 June.
We may be closed but we have lots of information here on our website.
If you need urgent medical advice you can call NHS 111 or in Northern Ireland phone your local Phone First. In an emergency call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.
If you need emotional support the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 116 123.
We know it can be difficult to live with, or support someone living with Crohn’s or Colitis. But we’re with you. We can give you the right information and support at the right time.
We’re here for everyone.
How Can We Help?
- We can help you understand Crohn’s and Colitis
- Listen and talk about living with IBD
- Help you connect with others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community
- Give you contact details of specialist organisations
- We can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis and provide up-to-date, evidence-based information
Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.
Please contact us via telephone, email or LiveChat - 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).
If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.