Watch the TV star describe her ‘living hell’ in the video above
EX-EASTENDERS star Melissa Suffield has revealed she’s a step closer to discovering the cause of her long-lasting nausea and dramatic weight loss.
For six months Melissa, 31, has had bouts of vomiting and ill health and has spent more than £1,500 on private appointments to get to the bottom of it all.
Last night she took to Instagram to explain she’d been diagnosed with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), though doesn’t actually have many symptoms for it.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition occurs “when there is an abnormal increase in the overall bacterial population in the small intestine — particularly types of bacteria not commonly found in that part of the digestive tract.”
Former Lucy Beale actress Melissa’s lack of symptoms have led medics to believe it could actually be another symptom of what may be a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Earlier this year tests found her to be at the very base of a wide-ranging scale of what is considered normal B12 levels.
However, she had already been taking supplements at that point and her real score was likely much lower.
Next month Melissa will travel to Cambridge for an appointment with a B12 specialist to receive an iron infusion and a B12 injection.
She will also be taught how to self administer the jabs as she will need to maintain them at home.
Explaining the importance of B12, Melissa said: “Now B12 isn’t just as IV we get when we’re hungover or tired – it’s a hugely important vitamin.
“As it relates to me, B12 needs adequate stomach acid to be absorbed, so if stomach acid is low, B12 won’t get absorbed. Also, low stomach aid means digestion will be impaired.”
The actress called her upcoming treatment “hideously expensive” and another blow to her bank balance following her private gastroenterologist appointments.
She said: “Ultimately, cost aside, this is a good thing, and I’m really hoping it’s going to be the start of some genuine healing, and getting me back to where and WHO I need to be.”
Melissa then apologised to her followers for the upcoming tranche of adverts she would be posting to help cover her healthcare costs.
Earlier this year she revealed results from an endoscopy were ‘unremarkable’.
She told followers: “I’ve now had a gastro referral, which will be able to look at my gallbladder, liver, stomach again, the whole shebang, all the various tests and possible diagnosis.
“So if there’s an issue there, they’ll be best placed to find it. River also has a referral to paediatrics as he has had random bouts of vomiting with no clear cause, as well as on off diarrhoea since we both got sick in December. Whatever is still doing a number on me, is definitely still doing a (lesser) number on him too.”
And she explained that compliments over her changing bodyshape had done little to boost her mood.
She said: “It’s been hell. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. And yet at least once a day I’ve been complimented on my weight loss.
“I’ve been told how amazing I look and asked how I did it. So you want to know? I’ll tell you. For the record I’ve felt like pure s**t. I have been nauseous for three months now with no reason why.”
