Fatigue in IBD

People with Crohn’s and Colitis can now measure the severity and impact of their fatigue using a newly researched and validated IBD Fatigue Scale.

The IBD Fatigue Scale can be found on our new Fatigue in IBD microsite, along with our research findings from the 4-year project:

• www.fatigueinIBD.co.uk
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The scale is the product of our charity’s successful scientific partnership with researchers at King’s College London, University College London and the Addenbrookes’ NHS Trust.

• Read the Fatigue press release
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For the 10,000 newly diagnosed young people with Crohn’s and Colitis every year, fatigue is a deeply debilitating symptom and Crohn’s and Colitis UK is delighted to welcome the support of Sam Faiers. Sam is helping the charity to fight IBD fatigue by improving awareness of this ‘hidden symptom’.

“The exhaustion I experienced was horrible, life limiting and a typically untreated symptom for people with Crohn’s or Colitis. This new Fatigue Scale is a breakthrough and will make talking to my doctors much, much easier. This really is great news for everyone with IBD.”

We are still looking for media volunteers to speak to the press in the upcoming weeks about their experiences with IBD Fatigue. If that sounds like something you'd like to get involved in, please email media@crohnsandcolitisuk.org.uk. So follow in Sam's footsteps and speak out about this often invisible and little understood symptom of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

We Still Need Media Volunteers

Do you find living with IBD exhausting?... Would you like to share your story?

Crohn’s and Colitis UK is putting out a call for lots of member and supporter (recent) short stories (all ages) about how the symptom of fatigue/extreme tiredness has had a negative impact upon an individual’s ability to enjoy a normal social life, undertake study or stay in employment.

We will be looking to place some of these stories into regional press all around the UK during the Spring 2014, to raise awareness of Fatigue.70% of young people in 2007 when surveyed by the charity stated "Fatigue” as their most noticeable symptom. As a result we won £500,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to investigate Fatigue further.

This year, our Me and IBD survey of over 1,000 young people aged 16 – 29 indicated an even higher level of concern – even when not having a flare - 76% found it more of a problem than extreme pain or diarrhoea.

Our Fatigue project findings are due to be released in June 2014.

This is for any age, so feel free to share with others.

Please email media@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk for a Fatigue Media Volunteer form, or with any other queries.

World IBD Day: What's your story?

Monday 19th May is World IBD Day. It’s a day for us to take action, stand up and support the 260,000 people in the UK, and millions more worldwide living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

• We want to raise as much awareness as possible for everyone who suffers from these ‘invisible’ illnesses which is why we’re asking you to share your journeys with IBD.
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• In the run up to World IBD day we would love for you to send us your stories, along with a photo of you holding a piece of card with your name, age, location in the world, IBD type and a sentence or key word/s about you and IBD.
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• If you don’t feel like taking a photo, you could post one you feel sums up you and IBD.
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• Whether you have Crohn’s or Colitis, or you’re a loved one of someone who does, sharing your journey with IBD and what it means to you, you will help make them more visible.

Post your stories and photos to your own Facebook page (Don't forget to tag us!), as well as our Facebook page. If you prefer you can also email your pics to webmaster@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk

The more people they reach, the more awareness we can raise.

#WorldIBDday #myCCUKstory

• Please also join and invite others to our World IBD day event on Facebook