‘I heard the comments I’m sure they thought I’d really let myself go. But they had no idea of my nightmare’
Former beauty queen tells of the illness that devastated
A FORMER model and Miss Scotland finalist claims her looks have been ravaged by a debilitating medical condition.
Paula O’Neill was one of Scotland’s most beautiful women until her stunning looks were dealt a blow by a debilitating disease which affects around 146,000 people in the UK.
She has developed ulcerative colitis, a condition which has no cure.
She was prescribed steroids to help, but they have a host of sideeffects, including giving her a “moon face” appearance.
Paula says side-effects are the least of her worries, as she just wants to be well again.
With regards her changed appearance, the Dundee 25-yearold says: “People who know me didn’t know what to think. I’m sure some of them thought, ‘Paula’s really let herself go!’
“One minute I’m far too thin and the next I’m a big girl, but it’s the medication that caused it and, believe me, it’s a price well worth paying.”
Paula had enjoyed a glamorous career as a model, taking part in exciting assignments and swimwear photo-shoots.
Her striking looks and slim frame made her a Miss Scotland candidate.
Five years ago she took her place in the beauty pageant’s glittering finale in Glasgow and things couldn’t have looked better.
The former Emirates cabin crew worker had just landed a place to train as a nurse in Dundee when the disease hit.
Paula was in severe pain off and on for two years, with stomach cramps, vomiting, cold sweats, and weight loss.
“At one point I lost a stone in just four weeks,” she said.
“I was so ill my weight plummeted from 8st 9lb to 7st 9lb.
“I couldn’t eat. The most I could manage sometimes was an ice pole or some jelly.
“I was going to the toilet 30 to 40 times a day and the stomach pains were unbearable. I was so frail and ill.
“This had been going on for two years. No one knew what was wrong with me.”
She added: “I was always told it was irritable bowel syndrome and I shouldn’t eat spicy food or have fizzy drinks. “I was so ill. “I went to my GP again who got me an appointment at Ninewells Hospital for a colonoscopy, – where they put a camera inside you to see what’s happening.
“I was in hospital for nine days and was given steroids by IV.
But these weren’t working so I was put on a drug called Infliximab and, within a day, we knew this was working for me.
“Instead of going to the toilet 20 times a day – I was going five times. It was great.”
But she had to continue the steroids and gradually reduce the dose from 40mg to 5mg, and that’s what changed her appearance.
Paula said: “They have side effects such as ‘moon face’, ‘camel back’ and ‘apple belly’ but that’s the least of my worries. I just wanted to be well again.
“My face was all bloated and I do have a hump of retained fluid between my shoulder blades.
“Everything puffs up but that will go when I stop the steroids.
“I feel ulcerative colitis – inflammatory bowel disease – is such a taboo subject. It’s like an invisible illness and some people just think you’re lazy or being over-dramatic.”
For someone who used to work in an industry dominated by looks, it’s no doubt been difficult.
But, thankfully, Paula says people have been kind.
“I was never trolled or bullied about my changing looks, but I know people were curious,” she said.
“I heard comments through the grapevine, but I also heard that people I don’t really know we’re messaging people I do know, asking what was wrong with me.”
Fortunately Paula knows the benefits of good make-up and a visit to the hairdresser.
“When I’ve got my hair done and my make-up on I look fine,” she added.
“I don’t look as though I have a chronic lifelong illness where dayto-day tasks, journeys or outings take a lot of preparation.”
There is no known cause, and no known cure, but with treatment it can be kept under control.
UC is one of the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease, the other is Crohn’s disease.
Paula says it can easily “take over a sufferer’s life”.
“They don’t know what causes it and although it can be treated with medication, finding something that works for you can be a bit hit-or-miss.
“Hopefully I’m now much better and should be able to control this with an IV drip every eight weeks at hospital for at least a year.
“It seems to have taken over my life. I’ve been off work now for 14 weeks and I’ve been in and out of hospital.
“After my weight went down to 7st 9lb, I was put on steroids and it shot up to 9st 9lb.”
Throughout her fight, Paula has felt indebted to the NHS.
“The drugs I’ve been given cost thousands and thousands of pounds in other countries,” she added.
“And the care and attention I’ve had from the medical staff at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee has been fantastic.
“I’m now working in healthcare