Lili Reinhart reveals health struggles following interstitial cystitis diagnosis

Lili Reinhart shares her journey with interstitial cystitis and health challenges.

Lili Reinhart has opened up about her recent diagnosis of interstitial cystitis (IC), a condition that has caused her ongoing pain and discomfort. 

The actress shared her struggles on Instagram, revealing that 2024 had been the hardest year of her life, as she navigated both this diagnosis and a search for answers regarding a potential autoimmunity or inflammatory disease.

Interstitial cystitis, also known as bladder pain syndrome, causes chronic pain in the bladder and abdomen, along with frequent and urgent urination, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Reinhart explained that her decision to speak out about her health came after a deeply personal experience with her grandmother, Corine Reinhart. Corine was initially ignored by doctors despite showing clear signs of cancer, and by the time she was diagnosed, the cancer had already spread. This experience led Lili to emphasize the importance of advocating for one's health.

In an emotional interview with Self magazine, Reinhart described how a COVID-19 infection during the filming of Riverdale triggered extreme fatigue, which became a red flag for her doctors. She shared that her chronic exhaustion, coupled with other unexplained symptoms like weight gain and gastrointestinal issues, led to tests for conditions such as Celiac disease and Crohn's disease. Reinhart also revealed that during this period, she struggled with an eating disorder and later experienced hair loss.

In her Instagram post, Reinhart encouraged others to advocate for themselves in their health journeys, sharing her own challenges in hopes of helping others feel seen. She emphasized the need for patients to push back when doctors dismiss their pain, and expressed hope that her story would bring awareness to conditions like IC, especially among women.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart)