Being trolled on the internet ended up with her being medically diagnosed with something called ‘Cushing’s syndrome’
Amy Schumer has bravely opened up on a rare hormonal disorder she has been diagnosed with after trolls targeted her for having a so-called ‘moon face’.
The American actor and comedian is one of the biggest names in the business of making people laugh, starring in the likes of Trainwreck, Snatched, Expecting Amy, and Life & Beth.
But the mum-of-one, who is used to adding an element of self-deprecation to her comedy, ended up being on the end of some brutal comments by faceless trolls on the internet.
Attacking her because her face was looking ‘puffy’, some went as far as saying she had a ‘moon face’. But among the poking fun at Schumer’s expense was a crowd of experts saying she needed to get herself checked out.
Amy Schumer and Cushing’s syndrome
Comments were made about Schumer after she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in early 2024.
The then 42-year-old faced reaction about her appearance, with some mocking while other, nicer folk showed genuine concern, given that Schumer’s face was extremely swollen.
In the end, after doctors got in touch with genuine concern, she was diagnosed with a condition called Cushing’s syndrome.
Speaking to Alex Cooper on an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, Schumer said: “At first I was like, ‘f*ck off’.
“Doctors were chiming in in the comments and they were, like, ‘No, no, something’s really up. Your face looks so crazy’.
“I’m like, ‘Wait, I’m getting trolled by doctors?'”
Cushing’s syndrome explained
Schumer suffers from Cushing’s syndrome (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
A person develops Cushing’s syndrome when their body produces too much of a particular hormone known as cortisol.
This is the steroid hormone that helps regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, and the body’s response to stress, which is why it is also called the ‘stress hormone’.
“It can be serious if it’s not treated,” official NHS guidance says, with it leading to high blood pressure if left and not managed.
But why does someone develop it?
In most cases, a person gets Cushing’s when they have been taking steroid medicine, especially steroid tablets, for a prolonged period of time.
Cushing’s syndrome symptoms
Schumer has been praised for speaking about the condition (Dimitrios Kambouris/Variety via Getty Images)
One of the main signs is weight gain and more body fat, NHS guidance explains. This can be increased fat on your chest and stomach while you maintain slim arms and legs.
Thee could also be a build-up of fat on the back of your neck and shoulders, known as a ‘buffalo hump’. A red, puffy, rounded face – similar to what Schumer experienced – is also common.
Other symptoms include skin that bruises easily; large purple stretch marks; and weakness in your upper arms and thighs.
Furthermore, a person with Cushing’s could suffer from a reduced sex drive, known as a low libido, as well as fertility problems. In Schumer’s experience, her only child was born by C-section because she suffered from endometriosis, a condition that makes it difficult to get pregnant. She had her uterus removed in 2021 due to ongoing issues with the condition.
Depression and mood swings are also experienced by people with Cushing’s.
How to treat Cushing’s syndrome
The actress appeared on a late night show, which prompted concern from health professionals (NBC)
Depending on what has caused Cushing’s to develop, there are different treatments available to help people afflicted by the syndrome.
If your doctor determines that steroid use has caused it, the dose you are taking may be gradually reduced or stopped, as per the NHS. If it’s been caused by a tumour, surgery may be needed to remove it. Radiotherapy can also eliminate the tumour, usually followed by medicines to reduce the effects of cortisol on your body.
According to the NHS, ‘Cushing’s syndrome usually gets better with treatment, although it might take a long time to recover completely’.
