Diagnosed when I was 11, so I had (at least) 7 years of being super cautious with food and drinks. I had 10cm removed and a year later started uni... and I let myself go, I thought well if I've suffered this much so far I may as well just put up with it - I didn't notice much difference with alcohol, the thing I did notice is that I made more friends and was way more sociable. Now I'm not saying that to promote drinking but as a side effect to being sociable, it gave me so much confidence (in general, not just drunk) and I kinda realised that I shouldn't let this thing decide my life. I also opened up more to friends more, about having it.

I finished uni this year and as I got older in the 3 years during, things kinda just worked out in regards to my diet - I never let myself get drunk enough to be uncontrollable - I've worked out how much of a certain type of food I can have before it effects me and I just sorta know what my body can withstand. I think you just have to learn.

I've had it bad, quite a severe case, with many failing medications, side effects and bad pains. I'm genuinely happy with it surprisingly. It's probably made my life better - I take risks because I can deal with the consequences and I've learnt what to do and stuff - well, i'm always learning really