Amandeep Kaur, 43, from Stoke-on-Trent, has been battling unexplained pain since 2017 that causes her to pass out, gain weight, and change skin colour. Despite multiple tests, doctors have not identified the cause, though colitis was suspected.
Pain began after a meal
The episode that started her condition occurred after a meal with her mother and sister. Her skin changed colour, she felt faint and dizzy, and she spent the night in agony. The next day she collapsed at home, regaining consciousness slumped over her laptop. Her sister called 999.
She described the pain as twisting and relentless, leaving her overwhelmed and unable to function. She now lives with constant pain and rectal bleeding, with flare-ups so severe they cause her to collapse, drenched in sweat.
Hiding symptoms from her partner
Amandeep, who works in safeguarding and is a mother of two, met her partner in December 2019. She hid her symptoms for the first year out of embarrassment. Before seeing him, she would barely eat to avoid triggering a flare-up. On dates, she picked at her food and made excuses. She avoided eating in front of him and often declined invitations to go out, leading to arguments and separate sleeping arrangements.
"I kept it from him because it is embarrassing. You're in a new relationship and you really don't want to disclose gut issues," she said. It wasn't until she had an accident and he noticed that she told him.
Hospital admissions and ongoing tests
Her most recent hospital admission was in May 2026 after 10 days of diarrhoea and vomiting. Scans showed inflammation in her intestines and lymph nodes, but doctors could not determine the cause. Her next step is a colonoscopy scheduled for July, which needs to occur during a flare-up.
Her partner's attitude changed after seeing her condition during a hospital admission. He is now her biggest support.
Weight gain and social impact
Struggling emotionally, she turned to food for comfort and by 2020 had gone from a size 10 to a size 20. She binged on crisps, cakes, chocolate, and toast but still wouldn't eat in front of her partner. The weight gain dented her confidence, leaving her avoiding photos.
She has lied about why she couldn't attend events and has lost friends. "In the past I have lied to people about why I can't make events. I've definitely lost friends because of it. I don't always get invited to things anymore, which is a bit sad. But I understand why," she said.
Daily life and determination
Day-to-day life involves constant preparation. She sleeps on the sofa to avoid waking her partner during bathroom trips. She packs spare clothes, towels, and wipes when leaving the house. She has had accidents in her car and had to call in sick.
Now she is determined not to let embarrassment dictate her life. She has changed her diet, including kefir and Greek yoghurt, and started using Holland & Barrett multi-seed toppings. She attends Pilates classes and goes to events alone.
Amandeep is speaking out to help others feel less isolated. She believes there should be no stigma around digestive illness, describing it as a "hidden disability."
Prevalence of digestive issues
Research by Holland & Barrett found that 90% of people would hide digestive issues from a new partner, 31% would avoid eating on a first date, and 30% would choose date activities without potential triggers. More than one in five people in Britain (22%) struggle with gut health or digestion.
Ulcerative colitis, a condition involving inflammation of the colon and rectum, causes symptoms such as recurring diarrhoea with blood or mucus, tummy pain, and frequent bowel movements.
