October 13th 2024.
Comedian and TV star Miranda Hart recently opened up about her ongoing battle with Lyme disease. She shared how the illness has affected her entire adult life, even leaving her bedridden at one point. The beloved 51-year-old, best known for her BBC sitcom Miranda, has been suffering from the condition since she was 15. After years of uncertainty, she was finally diagnosed with chronic fatigue and myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as ME.
In a candid interview at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Miranda revealed that she first became unwell at the age of 15. Over time, her symptoms progressed and she never felt fully energized or refreshed after a night's sleep. She described feeling weak and experiencing strange neurological sensations. Despite undergoing numerous tests, doctors were unable to provide a diagnosis. Miranda recalled, "I've never felt well since I was 15...I've never had full energy."
Miranda's illness reached its peak in her mid-40s when she collapsed and was confined to bed. Doctors struggled to diagnose her condition, but eventually, she was told she had Lyme disease, a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks. Fortunately, her illness was never life-threatening, but it greatly impacted her daily life. She explained, "I know I'm leading a half-life...but with no understanding of why." Miranda emphasized the difficulty of managing a condition with no end date or clear treatment plan.
In her new book, I Haven't Been Entirely Honest With You, Miranda talks about her health battle and how it has affected her career. She revealed that in 2007, a doctor suggested she take six months off work to manage her chronic fatigue, but she couldn't as her career was taking off. She had to carefully manage her energy levels and often fell ill, sometimes every six weeks. However, she continued to push through and work on her popular sitcom.
In 2017, after completing the final series of Miranda, she collapsed from exhaustion and described it as a "massive relief." She said, "My body stopped me...this has to be my change point." It was then that doctors finally connected her illness to her time living in a Lyme hotspot in Virginia, where she had contracted the disease.
Miranda explained that her Lyme disease has caused her ME, which affects her immune system and makes it difficult for her body to fight off viruses. She has also experienced other health issues, such as reactivated shingles, which can be attributed to her weakened immune system. She described her daily experience as feeling like she has the flu all the time, without ever being able to fully rest or recover.
Despite the challenges she faces, Miranda remains positive and grateful for the support of her fans. Earlier this year, she thanked them for their understanding and compassion after revealing she had gained weight due to her illness. She emphasized the importance of self-compassion and self-love, reminding herself that she is loved regardless of her physical appearance.
It's clear that Miranda's battle with Lyme disease has been a difficult and ongoing struggle, but she continues to inspire others with her honesty and resilience. And as she said, "If I lose it or not I know I am loved. Peace out."
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