Louise Thompson health battles in full as she shares latest terrifying episode
Made In Chelsea star Louise Thompson has returned home from hospital after almost three weeks and shared details of her latest health battle with her concerned fans.
The reality TV, 33, star has suffered severe health issues and complications since giving birth to her first child at the end of 2021. Her fiancé Ryan Libbey last week shared how Louise had been in hospital for almost two weeks, with Louise breaking her silence on Instagram on Monday morning.
The 33-year-old mum admitted her brain still feels "too tangled" to form full sentences as she shared a lengthy health update following her nearly three-week long hospitalisation. Louise explained how she fell ill during a family holiday but tried to ignore her symptoms to enjoy time with her young son.
She shared that she was "losing cup fulls of blood" every 20 minutes and eventually confided in her loved ones about her condition. Due to her past medical issues, Louise booked an early flight back to the UK and went straight to A&E, where she was admitted immediately.
Traumatic birth
Louise and Ryan welcomed their first baby in November 2021, but the new mum was left "dancing with death". She kept the arrival of Leo-Hunter private for five weeks as doctors worked tirelessly to save Louise's life. Just two days before Christmas 2021, Louise announced the arrival of her baby on Instagram. Louise shared how she had to fight "so many bad things" and the experience left her looking at life differently. "To dance with death twice brings a whole new view of the world," she shared openly in her message.
Love Island breaks record as Molly-Mae Hague became parent to 8th baby from showPTSD and postnatal anxiety
Following her traumatic birth, Louise was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and said she felt like her mind and body were in "constant fight or flight mode". Louise also gave a detailed account of the "depressive panic episodes" she faced. In a candid post, she shared: "My panic episodes can last hours or days and are totally unpredictable.
"When I'm having one I can't function, I can't look after myself, let alone anyone else around me. I can't even spell my name. I can't see, I can't hear, I can't look anyone in the eye. They have got so bad that I have convinced myself that I'm going crazy. I feel depersonalisation, hyper paranoia as if I've taken a million and one drugs and I feel like I'm stuck in another realm. I am not myself."
Major haemorrhage
Last year Louise shared how she suffered a "major haemorrhage" when on holiday with Ryan and Leo.Writing on herInstagram, Louise said: "WE MADE IT. We were scheduled to visit St. Lucia to stay with friends in early Feb but my health got in the way... AGAIN. I shouldn’t complain. In fact I should be counting my lucky stars that I was firmly on British soil when I suffered a major haemorrhage and had subsequent emergency surgery at the end of January."
She continued: "If our trip had been 3 days earlier the outcome is likely to have been very different. Goodness only knows what would have happened if I’d been flying high in the sky on a 9hr flight, or roaming around bare foot on a remote Caribbean island, but my instinct is telling me that I wouldn’t have survived." Louise needed several litres of blood and fluids as she was rushed to hospital in an ambulance.
Hospital visits
Louise reflected on the 16 months since giving birth to Leo and shared how she has weekly hospital appointments. Writing to her followers, she shared: "To be honest if I were to create a REAL reel of the last 16 months it would be at least an hour long. There would be hospital appointments every single week, 50+ blood tests and it would be far too painful to make/watch.
"In terms of health - gynaecology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, psychiatry, psychotherapy and now haematology appointments, what next? That is six different departments that I’m working with every month. Isn’t it crazy how your life can change overnight? I mean I’m only just realising how nuts it is that last July I was told it might be better to have my colon removed. One day I’m on holiday, the next day I’m in A&E with that news. Gosh, we so take our health for granted."
Lupus diagnosis
In 2022, Louise said she was really tired and suffering with "intolerable" joint pain. In a candid video on Instagram, the star said: "I had a call yesterday with one of the rheumatology guys and they got more of my blood test results back and the diagnosis is that I've got drug induced lupus.So I'm suffering from that which is fabulous. It means that I'm really tired but I've also started to get really intolerable joint pain especially if I sit down for any amount of time if I cross my legs."
Lupus is a long-term condition that results in joint pain, skin rashes and tiredness. Louise was first aware she might have lupus after getting a rash on her face. She added: "I've never experienced anything like it in my life. I've always been so able bodied and so active, exercise has been such a big part of my life and it's just so rough having to adapt to all of these new medical conditions so that's been really tough."
Holiday hospital dash
Louise's 2024 hasn't got off to a great start, with the mum-of-one recently spending almost three weeks in hospital after falling ill abroad during a family holiday. Writing on Instagram on Monday [12th February], the reality TV star shared a picture of herself in a hospital bed on Instagram and told her followers: "Bit of an unexpected turn of events, but gotta bridge the gap somewhere, so let's start with some good news - I'm home after two and a bit weeks spent in hospital AND I'm feeling v grateful for home and for life."
The mum-of-one continued to recall how she tried to hide her symptoms when she first fell sick on holiday, admitting she has become used to masking the chronic pain she experiences. However, after confiding in her family, Louise booked an early flight home and went straight to A&E.
Louise Thompson shares how she 'stays connected to reality' in hospital stay"Most people would be in A&E day 1 with my symptoms, I have no qualms in saying that because I know what my symptoms were and they were not ok," Louise admitted. "I'll spare you some of the grittier details, but I became a little 'too used' to my chronic condition "Whilst away I fell asleep lots randomly in the car and in the middle of the day and on the beach. Couldn't really walk or pick up Leo. Poor Ryan had to compensate. Was disorientated a lot. Pushed through. Thought my body would hold up. Revelled in bed when Leo would sleep at 7pm. Survived to make it through to see another day. That's what it felt like anyway."
*If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email [email protected]