Hi, I’m Wendy, Patient Stories lead of this wonderful charity.

And where better to start than with my story, in the hope that it may give others the chance to have a platform to share their own, or to feel less alone by reading others’. This is my account, but everyone’s experiences will differ, as Functional Biliary Disorder is unique to each individual.

9 years ago, after emergency gallbladder removal surgery, I awoke in the most indescribable pain I had known. Months of tests followed, which initially showed nothing; I tried to resume life as mum, colleague, Farmer’s wife, seeing my wonderful friends and Family.

1 year later, I took a codeine after dental proceduer, 20 mins later I collapsed on the side of a motorway, in agony. (I now know codeine can be a massive no no!)

Let’s fast forward a year, I am now bed bound, in daily pain, had pancreatitis, numerous hospital admissions. I had given up my career, worried this was my existence, and was I going mad, as initially no medic seemed to understand what was happening. But then came the diagnosis of this illness.

I consider myself fortunate, in that I was referred to my wonderful consultant fairly early in my diagnosis, who was so knowledgeable about this condition. I received a sphincterotomy; from then on, I received Botox regularly. These helped immensely, and along with various medications, I can try to manage the unpredictability of this condition. I have returned to work part-time; I can be a mum, daughter, wife and friend.

Yes, life is different to what it was, and it is often invisible; people can’t see your pain.

But on this page, we want to support others. We want to raise awareness. We want to share information, help patients learn about symptoms, triggers, investigations, and treatments, and educate others, including health care professionals.