**Chloe Meadows Admits Fears Led to Ten-Year Delay in Seeking Help for Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms**
Reality television personality Chloe Meadows has opened up about her long struggle with ulcerative colitis, confessing she was so “terrified” of medical procedures that she ignored the condition’s symptoms for over a decade. The 33-year-old, who rose to fame on “The Only Way Is Essex,” first noticed indications of the chronic disease at just 16.
Meadows recounted her experience on Dr Oscar Duke’s Bedside Manners podcast, explaining that her first warning sign came whilst she was living away from home at college. She recalled, “There was blood in the toilet, which I immediately told my mum about—I wasn’t sure what it meant.” Her mother urged her to see a doctor, who recommended a colonoscopy, a standard procedure for investigating bowel issues. This prospect, however, sparked significant anxiety for Meadows.
Reflecting on that period, Meadows admitted, “I had never been seriously ill, never even had any procedures or operations. The thought of sedation and hospitalisation was petrifying.” When she was eventually referred for a colonoscopy, the fear became overwhelming. “I received the appointment letter but, rather shamefully, couldn’t face going—I simply never attended.”
Her strategy became one of avoidance, as she highlighted during the interview. Meadows would experience periods where her symptoms—such as bleeding—would temporarily subside. She said, “The bleeding would stop, and I’d convince myself that everything was fine. Sometimes, these symptom-free phases would last for years, so I thought I was better.” The cycle of denial continued, with Meadows often downplaying the extent of her symptoms to worried family members. “My mum was always concerned, but I’d brush things off, telling her it was nothing serious.”
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition involving inflammation of the colon and rectum. According to the NHS, symptoms can include persistent diarrhoea, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and the presence of blood in stools. For those living with the illness, it is not unusual to alternate between periods of relative health and “flare-ups,” which can be distressing and debilitating.
It was not until her mid-twenties that Meadows’ health crisis forced a change. After embarking on a strict diet and losing a significant amount of blood, her mother intervened, urging her to see a doctor once more. “She thought I looked unwell, almost grey, and insisted I get some blood tests done,” Meadows shared.
A dramatic turning point came whilst Meadows was filming for television. She began receiving frantic messages from her father, who relayed an urgent instruction from her doctor: she was to go straight to A&E, as her blood count was dangerously low. “That hospital visit changed everything,” she said. “I had to undergo a series of tests and iron infusions. That’s when proper treatment started.”
Meadows also recalled a particularly severe flare-up that struck after filming a high-pressure scene for “Towie,” another illustration of how stress can exacerbate chronic conditions like ulcerative colitis. Medical experts note that while some sufferers may go months without major symptoms, flare-ups can be unpredictable and traumatic.
Treatment options for ulcerative colitis vary, ranging from medication such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants to, in more severe cases, surgery. Meadows’ story is far from unusual; Crohn’s and Colitis UK reports that over 300,000 people in Britain live with colitis.
Her candour serves as a reminder of the barriers—fear, stigma, and misunderstanding—that still prevent many from seeking essential medical advice. As Meadows reflected, “I was young and scared, but that isn’t a reason to ignore your health.” Her experience encourages others facing worrying symptoms not to delay in seeking help, emphasising the critical importance of early intervention.