One of the most frequent questions I’m asked on Instagram is “What chronic illness do you have?”
People tell me they relate so deeply to my words that they wonder if we’re walking the same path.
For many of us in the chronic illness and disability community, talking openly about our health can feel like breaking an unspoken taboo. But for me, sharing my experiences has been a huge part of understanding my own body and making sense of it all. Being honest and transparent has brought insight, connection, and a deep sense of knowing I’m not alone.
That openness has helped me feel less isolated, even when someone else’s story looks different to mine. And that feeling of connection is exactly why I keep sharing—past, present, and everything in between.
I never share my story for sympathy. That’s never been my intention. I share because the more we speak openly, the less alone someone newly diagnosed might feel as they try to find their feet in a world that suddenly feels unfamiliar.
Each diagnosis once felt like a monster hidden in the cupboard—kept in the dark through fear of judgement. But with time, acceptance has taught me to turn on the light. When I share my experiences openly, they lose their power over me.
Living with chronic illness is a full-time job—no days off. That truth took a lot of adjusting to accept… but I’m getting there.
So, here are my past & present medical issues:
Migraines
These began when I was still at school. Debilitating head pain, aura, and vomiting. They followed me into adulthood and can last for days on end. I also have a long history of teeth grinding (bruxism), which led to temporomandibular disorder (TMD), affecting jaw movement and pain. There have also been periods when I experienced cluster headaches.
Asthma
Diagnosed in my teenage years, and something that has stayed with me into adulthood. Asthma is a chronic condition where the bronchial airways become narrowed and swollen, making breathing difficult. I was once a smoker many years ago (crazy, I know), and at that time my asthma was completely uncontrolled.
Eating Disorders
At 16, I developed a very toxic relationship with food, exercise, and control. This period included bulimia, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and anorexia. My menstrual cycle stopped for 18 months. Although my weight eventually increased enough for it to return, many of the patterns and coping mechanisms continued throughout my life. Any situation that felt out of my control, such as divorce, would send me back to that familiar default as a way to self-soothe.
Anxiety, PTSD & Depression
All mental health conditions that began in adolescence and have remained part of my life. I was once diagnosed with OCD, but I now understand that many of the traits I displayed were actually symptoms of hypervigilance. With that clarity, I no longer hold that diagnosis.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A condition affecting the digestive system, which I first noticed around the time I was coming out of prolonged food restriction and starvation. From that point on, my digestive system simply worked differently.
Hypermobility (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome/Hypermobility Type)
Hypermobility is a form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome where my joints move far beyond the normal range of motion. This comes with pain, stomach and digestive issues, and a high risk of injury. My joints can lock, overextend, and give way unexpectedly, which is a big part of why I struggle with ongoing mobility issues.
Reproductive Health Issues
These date back as far as I can remember. As a teenager, I experienced severe period pain and excessive bleeding during my menstrual cycle. Over the years, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries, fibroids (non-cancerous growths in the womb), adenomyosis (where the lining of the womb grows into the muscle wall), and endometriosis (where tissue similar to the womb lining grows elsewhere, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes).
All of this eventually resulted in a hysterectomy in my thirties—and honestly, the relief from pain after that surgery was immense.
Fibromyalgia & Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
These conditions bring widespread musculoskeletal pain, deep fatigue, and tenderness in specific areas, alongside severe exhaustion, post-exertional malaise, sleep disruption, and symptoms that are not improved by rest. When I was diagnosed in 2013, they quite literally stopped me in my tracks. For a long time, I stayed in denial—throwing strong painkillers at the problem and refusing to fully accept the impact. Eventually, I had no choice but to listen to my body.
Pancreatitis (First episode: 2018)
Inflammation of the pancreas caused by undiagnosed gallstones, alongside renal sepsis. This was a long and difficult recovery, and one that still affects my body today.
Bowel Surgery (2023)
I developed a perforated and necrotic appendix with internal gangrene, leading to a bowel abscess, septicaemia, and sepsis. The appendix had ruptured at an unknown earlier date, and I ignored the symptoms. By the time it was discovered, it had become dead tissue, with my bowel twisted around it, forming a gangrenous abscess.
I was critically unwell in hospital, followed by months of antibiotics and a further readmission when the infection returned. During this time, I also developed diverticular disease, where small pouches form in the colon and can become inflamed or infected.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Numbness and nerve pain in my hands are caused by trapped nerves.
Chronic Rhinitis
A long-term inflammation of the nasal lining that causes ongoing congestion, sneezing, and post-nasal drip. It doesn’t come and go like a cold; it lingers, and over time, it affects breathing, sleep, and energy levels. Not dangerous, but definitely life-impacting and so annoying.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
This affects my joints where the spine meets the pelvis. When they don’t move properly or become inflamed, it causes lower back, hip, and buttock pain that can radiate down the legs. It makes standing, walking, sitting, and turning in bed painful and unpredictable, directly impacting mobility.
Achilles Tendinopathy
A condition in which the Achilles tendon becomes irritated and painful, usually due to overuse or altered movement patterns. It causes stiffness, swelling, and sharp or burning pain, especially when walking, climbing stairs, or first thing in the morning—making weight-bearing movement difficult.
Iliotibial (IT) Band Syndrome
Inflammation of the thick band of tissue running from the hip to the knee. It causes pain along the outside of the knee or thigh, particularly during walking or repetitive movement. This alters gait, increases strain elsewhere in the body, and contributes to ongoing mobility challenges.
Vaginal Prolapsed Bowel (Posterior Vaginal Prolapse / Rectocele)
My pelvic floor was significantly compromised following bowel surgery, due to direct muscle and nerve disruption, along with scar tissue from the abscess. My gynaecological urologist also gently pointed out that having five children played its part too. As a result, my bowel has prolapsed.
A posterior vaginal prolapse, also known as a rectocele, is a bulge of tissue into the vagina. It occurs when the tissue between the rectum and the vagina weakens or tears, allowing the rectum to push into the vaginal wall.
This first became a real problem when I started to feel as though a head was crowning inside my vagina, accompanied by a heavy dragging sensation and persistent back pain. After visiting my GP and being referred to a gynaecologist, the consultant confirmed that surgery was the only option.
February 2026, I had Colpoperineorrhaphy surgery to reposition the bowel and repair my pelvic floor muscles so they can once again provide proper, secure support.
…And besides high blood pressure and high cholesterol, I’m hoping that’s it (touch wood).
I hope this helps someone make sense of why my words resonate with them. Maybe we share the same diagnosis, or maybe yours affects your quality of life in a similar way. We’re all magically unique, and I truly believe that everyone we meet is going through something. That’s why kindness matters always.
So many of my illnesses aren’t visible, and many people don’t even know. And just because you see me doing something one day doesn’t mean I can do it every day. What I managed yesterday doesn’t guarantee I can manage it today.
And that’s the reality of living in this body.
Love & healing hugs
Wool Goddess 