A model courageously revealed the intense "unbearable pain" resulting from her hidden illness.

Stephanie Heaney, known for gracing billboards and magazine spreads, battles Crohn's disease. The mum's struggles have been amplified since the heartbreaking loss of her sister, Lyndsey, in 2019.

And this year has already been challenging for Stephanie as she contends with alarming weight loss and overwhelming tiredness, leaving her feeling fragile.

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Detailing her ordeal, she shared: "My gastric issues have progressively got worse over ten years - the last six being the worst and when my sister died it became unbearable. The severe trauma was hard on my body. I felt truly helpless going through weeks of fainting, no energy and even my eyesight was badly affected.

"I've spent weeks and weeks in hospital last year and at the start of this year too and with the help of family and friends I'm getting through it. I've been losing significant amounts of weight so that's something we are working on getting under control."

Her weight loss experience spotlights one of the chief symptoms of Crohn's disease, about which the outlines several warning signs, reports .

Stephanie, known for her previous relationship with Rangers football legend Nacho Novo, has now spoken out about her personal trials. She says that while her mental health suffers, she makes it a point to respond to fans reaching out with their own struggles.

The model, who astonishingly broke into the Playboy scene at 38, stressed the importance of acknowledging that the polished lives depicted on social media are far from reality and that the battles people face privately can be incredibly challenging.

"I feel that everyone is so harsh and quick to judge others online and in everyday life not knowing what they may be going through," she said. “Hidden illnesses are at times worse to deal with, someone may not look unwell but they are really struggling, just like mental health illnesses. Social media is just a platform to show your best bits and what you want people to see - it is not a real reflection of someone's life."

She urges those suffering from gastric conditions to seek the comfort of friends and family and highlight that sometimes the most profound support emerges from strangers enduring similar plights. Contrasting with her past behaviour, where she would conceal her health predicaments under a veil of humour due to embarrassment, Stephanie has chosen to open up about her issues.

The model said: "I've been sick and ill in restaurants with family and friends and even been extremely sick several times on flights which is extremely unpleasant and upsetting. If I go out I have to do something - I won't eat for two or three days before; it is awful."

Stephanie feels that a lot of individuals with gastric problems "suffer in silence". She shared her experiences of travelling across Glasgow and to Inverclyde for her medical appointments.

She has been candid about the emotional toll, admitting to being in tears most days. If she consumes something not suitable for her restricted diet, her condition flares up, leading to "unbearable and debilitating pain".

Wrapping up her thoughts, she expressed: "There are people worse off than I am and I can only feel extremely sorry for them. Life is hard enough and I would love there to be more support groups and help for people suffering with gastric diseases."