In an interview published on News Not Noise last week, Amy Schumer revealed that online trolling over her appearance made her realize "something was wrong" and led to her Cushing's syndrome diagnosis.
She told journalist Jessica Yellin:
“It has been a crazy couple weeks for me and my family.”
“While I was doing press on camera for my Hulu show, I was also in MRI machines four hours at a time, having my veins shut down from the amount of blood drawn and thinking I may not be around to see my son grow up."
“So finding out I have the kind of Cushing that will just work itself out and I’m healthy was the greatest news imaginable.”
Schumer then revealed that the internet "chiming in" on her appearance made her realize "something was wrong."
"Aside from fears about my health, I also had to be on camera having the internet chime in."
"But thank God for that. Because that's how I realized something was wrong."
"Just like when I realized I had named my son something that didn't sound so good. The internet is undefeated, as they say."
Cushing's syndrome is caused by high levels of the hormone cortisol in the body over long periods of time, with symptoms including weight gain in the trunk of the body as well as in the face, high blood pressure, easy bruising and fatigue.
Just over a week ago, Schumer responded to trolls who were mocking her face for being "puffier than normal" during appearances on The Tonight Show and Good Morning America, where she was promoting the second season of her Hulu show Life & Beth.
Schumer wrote on Instagram:
"I have endometriosis an auto immune disease that every woman should read about. There are some medical and hormonal things going on in my world right now but I’m okay."
"Historically women’s bodies have barely been studied medically compared to men. The book 'All in Her Head' does a good job explaining this. I also believe a woman doesn’t need any excuse for her physical appearance and owes no explanation.
"I wanted to take the opportunity to advocate for self love and acceptance of the skin you're in. Like every other women/person, some days I feel confident and good as hell, and others I want to put a bag over my head.”
"But I feel strong and beautiful and so proud of this tv show I created. Wrote. Starred in and directed. Maybe just maybe we can focus on that for a little."
People on social media applauded Schumer for publicly sharing her diagnosis and spreading awareness, and wished her well.
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Schumer ended her discussion on the topic by telling Yellin:
"I want women vomiting horribly into their second and third trimester [to know they] may have hyperemesis gravidarum like I had. I want women to value feeling strong, healthy and comfortable in their own skin."
"I am extremely privileged to have the resources I have for my health and I know it's not that way for most people. I am grateful and want to use my voice to continue to fight for women."
"The only other thing I'd like to add is that this is a good example of the fact that we never know what is going on with someone. Everyone is struggling with something. Maybe we can all be a little kinder to each other and ourselves."
Very well said.
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