Cassie is 17 years old and for years she's suffered terrible stomach pains. It's only now, after lots of problems, that they're starting to figure out what's wrong...
Cassie's Story
I've had stomach trouble for a while now. About four years ago I was told by a doctor that I had chronic IBS ('Irritable Bowel Syndrome'), which meant something was wrong with my gut, but that there was nothing they could really do about it. This didn't come out of the blue for me: I was always being sick.
Of course, I did still have to go to school, even though it was awful for me. I just felt like I was going to chuck all the time. I remember, every parents' evening, the teachers would say to my mum: "Is there anything we can do to make Cassie enjoy school?" to which my mum would reply, "Unless you can make her feel better, then no!"
That's when the teachers started to realise it wasn't that I didn't like school, it was the fact I felt ill all the time. I just wanted to be curled up with my dog and hot water bottle at home.
I was in agony
Everything took a turn for the worst during of my last year at school, when I was 16. I found myself with extreme stomach pain and screamed for three hours straight, so mum took me to the doctor who diagnosed me with appendicitis and got me admitted to the hospital.
I had surgery and they found out I actually had a burst cyst on my ovaries. Once the fluid was drained I was fine, but it was still quite scary.
I was in hospital again practically every other week with stomach pains, but one time, a few months later, things got even worse. They found excess fluid in my womb. Turns out I had something called 'Retrograde Menstruation' which means that your period goes backwards inside your body instead of out. I didn't know what was going on with my body and I was scared.
Life was almost unbearable
I then started sixth form in the September and found I couldn't cope with the pain and the stress it caused.
I was given a procedure called a 'Barium Meal', which is where you have to drink this radio active stuff and then they take x-rays as it goes through your digestive system; however, they found nothing wrong.
Images posed by models. Some names have been changed.
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Looking for answers
A few weeks later and I was back in hospital. This time however, things were different: a surgeon took interest in my case. He said he didn't think any child should have to go through that much pain.
He gave me instructions to start an exclusion diet. This meant I'd need to remove groups of foods - such as dairy - from my diet for a month and then slowly add it back in. He also taught me hypnotherapy to help with the pain when I got a flair up.
Was dairy the problem?
I removed dairy from my diet and was on top of the world until we reintroduced it. As soon as we did, I was violently sick.
“I had to remove groups of food from my diet”
Following this, I was told I had CMP (cow's milk protein allergy / intolerance) which is a food allergy that 2-5% of infants get and grow out of by age 2. So why was I being diagnosed with it now, at the age of 17?
Using my experiences positively
I have spoken to so many specialists now that I think I've had a bit of an information overload! I'm still on an experimental exclusion diet for people with IBS, and I just hope that we can eliminate all the food that makes me ill.
I'm actually heading off to university to study a nursing diploma! Most people think I'm mad to contemplate a job in the medical industry after what I have been through, but my family think it's a great idea - after all my experiences, I know I really want to help people.
Although my stomach is still unsettled and can land me in hospital at times, it's not ruling my life any more. As we slowly learn what's making my stomach so bad, I've taken a more positive approach: I am no longer SUFFERING with food allergies; I am COPING AND MANAGING with them. And life is really starting to look up.
Help and advice:
BBC Health page on food intolerances
BBC Health page on IBS
Pictures posed by models.
Your comments
becki , 16
i feel i can relate to you, for the past year(ish) ive had similar tho not as bad symptons to you, doctors have tried tablets for a number of things and now they're suggesting i may have IBS which could be caused by a certain food group im eating so ive been cutting out a lot of dairy products and have seen a big difference! its amazing! i remember always feeling sick and never wanting to eat anything as i was just put off my food. thanks for sharing your story xxx
shaniece, 14
wow..i think that you're really brave after all youve been through and its good to know that you are coping. Just remember to always think positively and enjoy life!! Good luck for the fututre and hope you have a gr8 time at uni!!:)xxxxx
Chloe, 15
Wow you're a very strong person to go through all that and keep positive!! it's awful being in and out of hospitals! Well done!!!
=D, 15
your story just made my day. for the last few years ive been ill with sorta the same problems as you. Ive been feeling so alone, i dont know anyone else going through the same thing. then i read your story and i felt so much better. Ibs is a terrible thing to be told we have. No one wants to talk about it. I was told that i shouldnt tell my friends, so i have had no one to talk to or help me through everything. Ive been on all the diets too, i found that cutting down on my caffine intake and not eating cheese helped alot. thankyou so much for sending this story in. you've given me hope that things will get better for me soon. good luck with everything. much love, hanx
Caroline, 14, 14
I can really appreciate what you are going through; i have a friend who was always ill with one thing or another and was the smallest and thinnest girl in my class - last year she was diagnosed with ceoliac disease and cannot eat gluten any more. It just show that if you have something wrong, you need to keep pushing until something gets done. I think you are very brave and wish you all the luck in the future
Alannah, 14
I think you're really brave and strong to go through all that pain. and it's really great that after being through all this yourself you still want to be a nurse and help others. you and your family should be proud of you. xx
Anja, 12
i have an allergy to dairy products as well, but it isn't as bad as that! i know what you mean when you say you want to help people, if i ea dairy products i get sick for about a week with intoleable pain, so i knw how that felt, i hope you get a diploma!
liz, 16
hey, i was admitted to hospital in may (in the middle of my GCSE's) with suspected appendicitis, i couldnt stand up the pain was so bad. i spent four days being tested and given pain killers before i was sent home again now being told its IBS. ive learnt to cope with the pain but it still bothers me a lot, i can really sympathise you. hope uni goes well for you. well done! :D xx
Beth, 14
The daughter of my old childminder hasn't been in class for 6 months and I only found out recently she's been suffering fro mthe same thing, except they still don't know what's wrong. You're right; your life will definitely get better and good luck with uni. :)
Elizabeth, 15
you would made an excellent nurse - you would probably sympathise with the patients in pain! it's people like you who inspire me, with asthma (i still made it to the athletics nationals this year!), to do what i can, and beyond, and i think loads of people feel EXACTLY the same :D xxx
Louise, 13
Awww I hope you get Fully better soon xx
Chelsea, 17
I sympathise, i've had exactly the same thing for three years. I've had operations and everything, its excruciating. I know exactly how you feel, and hope it gets better for you soon. x
kiera, 12
you are my idol, you are so brave and i totally admire you for that! i think that you are a awesome person and good luck at uni!!!
