Doctors told me my daughter just had an upset tummy for 18 months but it was a potentially life-threatening condition

A SCHOOLGIRL endured 18 months of severe stomach problems and lost dramatic amounts of weight while doctors missed her potentially life-threatening condition. 

Isabelle was too ill to compete in her gymnastics competitions and spend time with her classmates - but medics dismissed it as an upset tummy. 

The youngster showed the first signs of illness aged five, when she appeared pale with little energy. 

Her symptoms got progressively worse, with severe stomach pain and bloating leaving her too tired to do much at all.

It then took months for her GP to refer her to a specialist - and a further 18 to finally get a diagnosis. 

Her dad Peter, from Conwy, north Wales, said: "Isabelle didn’t seem to be growing as much as some of her friends and was often bloated.

"She was also pale and losing weight.  

"We kept seeing our GP, but they kept telling us that it was just an upset tummy. 

"We had to really push to eventually get her referred for a blood test at our local hospital. 

"Even with a referral, it still took nearly a year and a half to get the full diagnosis."

Isabelle was eventually diagnosed with coeliac disease - a serious, life-long illness where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. 

Untreated, it can result in anaemia, osteoporosis, infertility and even certain cancers. 

Peter said the whole process "really undermined Isabelle's confidence" and left her with little to no strength to do what most kids love.

"She was too worn out to do her favourite sports," he said.