Lili Reinhart is bravely sharing her health struggles, revealing that she has spent the past year grappling with a mysterious illness that has left her searching for answers. In an Instagram post accompanying a new interview with Self magazine, the Riverdale star, 28, opened up about her health journey and the challenges she’s faced over the past year.
In her post, which was shared on Thursday, 23 January, Reinhart reflected on her experiences, encouraging followers to prioritise their health. She shared a glimpse into the difficulties of dealing with chronic illness, particularly after she was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, a bladder condition, while also battling what she believes to be an autoimmunity or inflammatory disease. “Being diagnosed with interstitial cystitis while simultaneously searching for answers about a mysterious autoimmunity/inflammatory disease made 2024 the hardest year of my life,” she wrote.
Reinhart included several photos in her post, one of which showed her sitting in a hospital room at 5 a.m. in Germany, seeking treatment for a possible bladder/UTI infection. Another photo depicted a text message screenshot in which Reinhart shared a personal and heartbreaking moment about her alopecia, explaining how she had been losing her hair in large clumps. “I just run my hands through it, until it stops coming out,” she wrote.
The actress also revealed that her journey to understand her health issues was inspired by her grandmother’s experience with doctors. Reinhart explained that her grandmother had been ignored by medical professionals for months while exhibiting clear symptoms of cancer. By the time she received the necessary tests, the cancer had already spread.
“My grandmother’s experience taught me the importance of advocating for my own health,” Reinhart said. “Do not let a doctor gaslight you or diminish your pain.” She urged those struggling to find answers to feel seen by her experience and reminded them that it’s crucial to trust their instincts when it comes to their health.
Reinhart’s post also included images of her continued medical visits, as well as a poignant image of her sitting on an airplane, with a caption that read: “No greater discomfort than flying with a bladder flare.”
Her powerful message also highlighted the importance of listening to your body and seeking answers, even when others may dismiss your concerns. As shared on her Instagram Stories, Reinhart quoted, “Don’t let a doctor tell you that nothing’s wrong when you know that there is,” emphasising the importance of self-advocacy.
Reinhart’s openness about her health struggles has resonated with many, encouraging others to persist in their journey to find answers and not settle for being overlooked or dismissed by the medical community.