Dynamo’s Crohn’s disease battle: Magician reveals illness has caused arthritis in first TV interview

Dynamo has detailed the effects his ongoing battle with Crohn’s disease has had on his battle in his first television since seeing his weight balloon by two stone. 

The magician, 35, revealed the condition has left him with arthritis in his hands, meaning he is unable to perform many of his tricks, as he appeared on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday morning.

The illusionist explained his dramatically swollen appearance is a result of taking ongoing steroid medication and has caused him to gain two stone.

He at first joked: ‘I think it’s made me more handsome’ before talking about his condition seriously and adding: ‘It’s definitely had a toll on my body, I’ve put on two stone, which is quite strange. 

‘One of the main impacts for me is that it’s given me arthritis. Being a magician, I’m not able to use my hands. 

He continued: ‘I’m working with physio and doctor to get the right treatment and medication so hopefully I can come back and do new magic.’

The TV star, who has had Crohn’s since he was 14, has recently stepped out of the spotlight to focus on his health and admitted the time has give him the opportunity to ‘evaluate’ his approach to magic. 

Honest: Dynamo has candidly opened up about the toll his Crohn's disease has taken on his body and revealed that his condition has given him arthritis in his hands, leaving him unable to perform magic

Honest: Dynamo has candidly opened up about the toll his Crohn’s disease has taken on his body and revealed that his condition has given him arthritis in his hands, leaving him unable to perform magic

Appearance: Speaking on BBC Breakfast, the 35-year-old magician explained that his dramatic swollen appearance is a side effect of his steroid medication and has caused him to gain two stone (Pictured in January)

Appearance: Speaking on BBC Breakfast, the 35-year-old magician explained that his dramatic swollen appearance is a side effect of his steroid medication and has caused him to gain two stone (Pictured in January)

'Toll': He at first joked: 'I think it’s made me more handsome' before talking about his condition seriously and adding: 'It’s definitely had a toll on my body, I’ve put on two stone, which is quite strange' 

‘Toll’: He at first joked: ‘I think it’s made me more handsome’ before talking about his condition seriously and adding: ‘It’s definitely had a toll on my body, I’ve put on two stone, which is quite strange’ 

He shared: ‘I’ve taken this time to evaluate my approach to magic and other parts of life’ and joked that he’s trying out more tricks to do with his mind: ‘which is still in tact, touch wood.’ 

The Bradford star admitted that he hasn’t been letting his condition hold him back.

‘I got a bad bout of food poisoning, it landed me in hospital, it put me out of action,’ he shared. ‘It caused a lot of side effects. But I’m not letting it hold me back. I’ve been getting out as much as possible.’

The magician has been staying out of the spotlight recently, but revealed last month he was hospitalised last year with a combination of Crohn’s disease and food poisoning.

New focus: The TV star, who has had Crohn's since he was 14, has recently stepped out of the spotlight to focus on his health and admitted the time has give him the opportunity to 'evaluate' his approach to magic

New focus: The TV star, who has had Crohn’s since he was 14, has recently stepped out of the spotlight to focus on his health and admitted the time has give him the opportunity to ‘evaluate’ his approach to magic

Staying strong: The Bradford star admitted that he hasn't been letting his condition hold him back

Staying strong: The Bradford star admitted that he hasn’t been letting his condition hold him back

Posting a video online, Dynamo explained he is still dealing with side effects of his steroids medication, including arthritis which affects his hands, knees, toes, ankles and neck – and is so bad at times he is ‘unable to shuffle a pack of cards’.

Yet, the magician said he was working with medics to get back to 100 per cent as soon as possible.

He told fans: ‘I’ve been keeping a low profile. As I got really sick I ended up in hospital last summer with really bad food poisoning, which with Crohn’s disease is a very bad combo.

‘But I’m working with doctors and physio and doing everything in my power to get to 100 per cent. I’m working on lots of new magic so hopefully you’ll get to see that again soon in the future.’

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.

Inflammation most commonly occurs in the last section of the small or large intestine but it can affect any part of the digestive system. 

Common symptoms can include:

  • diarrhoea
  • abdominal pain
  • fatigue (extreme tiredness)
  • unintended weight loss
  • blood and mucus in your faeces (stools)

Remission occurs when people with the disease go long periods of time without symptoms however these periods can be followed by flare ups of symptoms.  

Why it happens

The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. However, research suggests a combination of factors may be responsible. These include:

genetics – genes you inherit from your parents may increase your risk of developing Crohn’s disease

the immune system – the inflammation may be caused by a problem with the immune system that causes it to attack healthy bacteria in the gut

previous infection – a previous infection may trigger an abnormal response from the immune system

smoking – smokers with Crohn’s disease usually have more severe symptoms than non-smokers

environmental factors – Crohn’s disease is most common in westernised countries such as the UK, and least common in poorer parts of the world such as Africa, which suggests the environment has a part to play 

Source: NHS 

 

Tough time: Dynamo revealed his battle with Crohn's last month - explaining in a video he is still dealing with side effects of his steroids medication, including arthritis (pictured in 2016)

Tough time: Dynamo revealed his battle with Crohn’s last month – explaining in a video he is still dealing with side effects of his steroids medication, including arthritis (pictured in 2016)

Going on to explain the change in his appearance, he continued: ‘My appearance has changed a lot due to my medication and all my medication has caused me to put on a lot of weight, as well as a rash which is all over my head and is actually all over my body, but thankfully you guys only have to see this part of my body.

‘I’m sorry about that. I’m doing everything in my power to get better I’m just wanting for you to hear it from me in case you hear it from anywhere else.

‘But I’m staying positive I’m working on new magic and I’ve got great people supporting me. I know you guys who have supported me from day one will have my back, so thank you for that.’

The Bradford native has had the disease since he was a teenager and has to follow a strict diet in order to battle it.

Back to his best: Yet, the magician said he was working with medics to get back to 100 per cent as soon as possible, stating: 'I'm staying positive and working on new magic' (pictured in 2015)

Back to his best: Yet, the magician said he was working with medics to get back to 100 per cent as soon as possible, stating: ‘I’m staying positive and working on new magic’ (pictured in 2015)

After having half of his stomach removed aged 17 he still wakes up in ‘excruciating pain’ nearly every day.

Although there is no long term cure currently available for the condition Dynamo claims he refuses to let it hold him back.

He previously told The Mirror: ”If you’ve got Crohn’s then you just have to get on with it, deal with the negative things that come with it, and not let it change the happiness in your life.

‘You can’t help it; it’s what it is. ‘It’s more about affecting the comfort levels of your life. It can be incredibly restrictive, and I know some people with it who can’t even leave the house. And that is so sad.’

Life long: The Bradford native has had the disease since he was a teenager and has to follow a strict diet in order to battle it - having had half his stomach removed at the age of 17

Life long: The Bradford native has had the disease since he was a teenager and has to follow a strict diet in order to battle it – having had half his stomach removed at the age of 17

 



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