Hiding Symptoms Led to Life-Saving Surgery
A young woman who concealed her bowel symptoms for a year due to embarrassment ultimately required removal of her large intestine and has urged others to seek medical advice promptly.
Alex Lyons was 21 when she began experiencing increased frequency of toilet use and noticed blood in her stool. Recognizing these as signs of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), she was aware of the condition as her twin brother Joe had recently undergone bowel removal surgery due to the chronic illness.
Alex described witnessing the trauma her family endured and said she "couldn't face the possibility of doing that to them again."
"I thought ignoring it would make it go away. I think being at uni at the time it was quite hard to talk to friends and family about it because I felt embarrassed," she added.
She was diagnosed with IBD last year and began treatment; however, last month she was informed that the treatment was ineffective and was rushed into emergency surgery that saved her life.
Alex, from Armagh, noted that her brother also concealed his symptoms for a year before diagnosis. Both siblings have aggressive forms of the disease, making surgery likely unavoidable.
Now 23 years old, Alex reflected on her experience, stating that if she could advise her younger self, she would urge an earlier visit to the doctor.
"I think I would've gone a little longer without losing my bowel had I gone to the doctor earlier," she said.
It is estimated that half a million people in the UK live with IBD. Alex and Joe are among a growing number of young individuals receiving diagnoses. A 2024 study by Southampton Children's Hospital found that the number of children and young adults diagnosed with IBD more than doubled over the past decade.
Alex has Ulcerative Colitis, which, along with Crohn's disease, represents the most common forms of IBD. According to the charity Crohn's & Colitis, over 17,000 people in Northern Ireland live with either condition.
The charity estimates that more than 200,000 people in the UK have a stoma—an opening on the abdomen that connects to the digestive or urinary system, allowing waste to be diverted into a bag.
Adjusting to Life with a Stoma
Alex told Evening Extra she is "so thankful" to have undergone the life-changing surgery, which resulted in her having a stoma, but acknowledged the adjustment has been challenging.
"I'm still quite emotional every day trying to get used to it," she said.
"Even little things like looking in the mirror is a little bit tough. I've got a bag on my stomach, I've got a big scar.
"I empty the bag every four hours-ish, so I'll never be able to have a full night's sleep again.
"I love my sleep, so that's been tough enough. And food as well - I'll never be able to have some of my favourite foods."
She urged anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical evaluation.
"I remember the first time I was asked to do a stool sample, I thought it was the end of the world," she said.
"No matter how embarrassing the symptom, no matter how tiny the symptom is go to the doctor."
Understanding IBD Symptoms
IBD is distinct from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although some symptoms overlap. A diagnosis of IBD requires evidence of inflammation in the bowels.
Alex shared that her brother Joe, who also has a stoma, has been a guide for her in daily life since her surgery and described him as her hero.
She has been documenting her experience on TikTok.
"I was so determined even going into surgery that I wasn't going to let this ruin my life," she said.
"I wasn't going to let this stop me from going outside, stop me from wearing my favourite clothes. I was posting on TikTok before, I wasn't going to let it stop me from doing any of that."
