From misdiagnosis to mission, raising awareness for IBD
Michelle Hobson has transformed her personal battle with Ulcerative Colitis into a mission of advocacy and support. Read her journey from misdiagnosis to healing.
Townsville
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For more than a decade, Michelle Hobson endured extreme fatigue, excruciating abdominal pain, and repeated hospital visits.
Despite seeing multiple doctors, her symptoms were dismissed as stress, food intolerances, or anxiety.
It wasn’t until a life-threatening emergency in 2023 that she was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (UC), a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
IBD, which includes Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis, is a chronic condition causing inflammation of the digestive tract.
In 2025, an estimated 179,420 Australians are living with IBD.
“It was shortly after the birth of my second daughter in 2016 that I started noticing things were different,” recalls Michelle.
“I was bloated, had urgent bathroom trips, and waves of incredible pain.
“When I spoke to my GP, I was told it was probably due to hormonal changes after childbirth and that things would settle down- a reasonable explanation at the time, but as the months went by, I was bleeding every time I went to the toilet, and I was terrified that I had bowel cancer.”
A colonoscopy ruled out bowel cancer, and she was advised to follow a low- FODMAP and gluten-free diet.
Despite her efforts, her condition worsened.
“Because of how terrible I felt, I took it very seriously—food diaries, apps, cooking separate meals. But it took a toll on my weight; I struggled to stay above 50 kg. People would comment on my appearance and say I ‘looked sick’ or even ask ‘how do you stay thin’. It wasn’t a choice; it was the result of me being petrified of eating anything.
“Despite my best efforts, I was in unbearable pain, unable to eat or drink and experiencing extreme urgency to go to the toilet.
“Over the space of a year I had three emergency room visits where I was given IV fluids for dehydration and morphine to control the pain. I would do a urine sample, have my bloods taken and sent home with the same advice - avoid gluten and follow a low-FODMAP diet.
“Despite my food diary and extreme caution, I thought I must have stuffed up. I blamed myself for what I was going through.”
As time went on, Michelle’s symptoms worsened and she suffered crippling anxiety, with every outing planned around access to the bathroom.
“I couldn’t go to work on certain days and even wore nappies just to drop my kids at school,” she told NQ Weekend. “I avoided travel, and if I did have to, I wouldn’t eat for days prior so that if there was a wave of urgency to go to the toilet, I knew nothing would happen.
“Life got hard for me, and I felt trapped in a body that was betraying me. I struggle to talk about it still because my thoughts at that time will haunt me forever, and the only reason I kept fighting through was so I could be here today for my children.”
In August 2023, a flare-up left Michelle bedridden for 10 days, unable to stand, eat, or drink without vomiting.
After passing out at home, she was taken to the hospital, only to be sent home again with antibiotics for a suspected urinary tract infection.
That night, she nearly died.
“If it weren’t for my baby crying, my partner, Jamie, wouldn’t have noticed I was unconscious. I was rushed back to the hospital. “They finally did a sigmoid scope and discovered I had severe Ulcerative Colitis.
“My inflammation markers were off the charts, and I spent two weeks on IV steroids, then placed on chemotherapy, and immunomodifiers.
“It was terrifying, and I almost didn’t believe them, but I also felt a huge relief to finally have answers.”
A review of past records revealed her 2018 colonoscopy already showed signs of UC.
“I lost years of proper treatment, which is frustrating, and I became determined to do something to help raise awareness for IBD and ensure others don’t suffer for so long without support like I did.”
Determined to create a resource she wished she had, Michelle authored The Ultimate IBD Handbook: Your Guide to Thriving, Not Just Surviving.
The book, designed for those newly diagnosed and supporting a loved one, is packed with evidence-based information, practical advice, and emotional support.
“It’s everything I needed when I was searching for answers,” she explains. “It’s not just about the medical side - it’s about the emotional toll, the lifestyle adjustments, and finding a community.
“I personally love the step-by-step guide to colonoscopy preparation because it breaks everything down in a way that actually makes sense and takes the stress out of it by keeping it lighthearted.
“None of us look forward to scopes, but this chapter makes it so much easier to get through. It’s useful for everyone.”
Michelle also founded IBD Hub, an online platform providing national resources and community support, and is a member of the patient advisory board for the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA).
Recognising the need for local connections, she completed her Facilitator training with Crohn’s & Colitis Australia and has recently launched the first Townsville Crohn’s & Colitis Support Group.
“IBD is isolating. This group gives people a space to connect and find support and it is open to anyone living with or supporting someone with IBD.”
Michelle’s advocacy was recognised with nominations for two Townsville City Council 2025 Australia Day Awards - Young Citizen of the Year and Citizen of the Year - and she has joined the Townsville Young Chamber of Commerce committee, expanding her platform for discussion and collaboration.
She also speaks publicly, recently addressing Rotary Saints to shed light on IBD challenges.
“IBD impacts so many people, yet awareness is still low. I want to change that, not just for patients but for employers, educators, and the wider community.”
There is no cure for IBD, meaning Michelle must manage her condition daily while raising her three children, but she remains focused on staying positive and doing everything she can to thrive.
“It’s a balancing act,” she said. “Some days are harder than others, but I’m lucky to have an incredibly supportive partner and family.”
“I really appreciate my good days and remind myself how lucky I am to be able to do things like go to the gym and walk along the beach because I know how quickly it can be taken away from me.
“I have monthly biologics transfusions done at the hospital to reduce the swelling and inflammation of the gut, but I may need to have a stoma surgery in the future.
“Advocating for IBD awareness and research has become such a passion for me, and it has inspired me to study a Bachelor of Medical Science so I can contribute to a solution as currently there aren’t enough professionals dedicated to IBD research. “I want other people living with IBD to know that there is hope, and together, I want us to go from just surviving to thriving.”
The Ultimate IBD Handbook: Your Guide to Thriving, Not Just Surviving Book Launch will be held 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Thursday, February 27, at the C Bar, The Strand. Tickets are free, and include complimentary canapes, but RSVPs are essential for catering purposes.
Visit www.ibdhub.com.au.
Copies of The Ultimate IBD Handbook can be bought online from IBD Hub, Amazon and in-store at Mary Who? Bookshop. A book signing will be held at Mary Who? Bookshop on Sunday, March 2 at 10am.
Originally published as From misdiagnosis to mission, raising awareness for IBD
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