How Sasha Pieterse Navigated 70-Pound Weight Gain, Epilepsy Diagnosis

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When it comes to her health journey, Sasha Pieterse isn’t keeping any secrets.  

Although she portrayed the popular character Alison DiLaurentis in “Pretty Little Liars” during her teenage years on ABC, she was privately dealing with numerous challenging symptoms off-screen.

Sasha reveals in an exclusive clip from TopMob News’ August 19th episode of SHE MD, “I found myself facing a challenge that I couldn’t quite identify. At the same time, I had recently been diagnosed with epilepsy, which was unknown to many. I was dealing with seizures without knowing their cause, and it wasn’t until later that I started experiencing weight gain.

As a devoted admirer, I’ve been following this extraordinary journey of a 29-year-old woman who’s battled inconsistent menstrual cycles since the tender age of ten. I used to think, hope even, that somehow with time these cycles would find their rhythm. Alas, that day never came.

“She mentions in the podcast, available every Tuesday morning, that she began watching ‘Pretty Little Liars’ when she was 12. By the time she turned 17, she had gained approximately 70 pounds and was privately dealing with seizures, irregular periods, acne, and hair loss, all while portraying a glamorous character on TV.”

So, she sought out various doctors to try and get to the bottom of her symptoms.

She mentions that she consulted with a total of 17 gynecologists, but each one suggested she was overeating or not active enough, despite her adherence to proper habits. It’s as if they were implying that by eating more salads, she would have transformed into something resembling a green vegetable.

In spite of various doctors attributing her weight gain to lifestyle decisions, Sasha, who has a 4-year-old son Hendrix Wade Shaeffer with husband Hudson Sheaffer, was eventually diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) after further examination.

Upon receiving her diagnosis, she felt a sense of validation – finally understanding that she wasn’t alone in her struggles, but rather dealing with something tangible. With this newfound awareness came a ‘label’, yet she viewed it more as a means to better understand her condition. Now armed with knowledge, she looks forward to taking steps towards managing and improving her situation.

Following her account, it became clear to the actress from “Image of You” rather swiftly that she was not alone in enduring the symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) without speaking up about it.

She points out that it’s undoubtedly a hidden issue, often unspoken. However, discussing it more helps create a stronger sense of community. This realization brings comfort as it shows you’re not the only one dealing with it, which is incredibly significant.

Her mental well-being suffered significantly as she spent almost a decade searching for explanations regarding her puzzling health issues, and this struggle was intensified during her teenage years as she juggled her personal struggles under public scrutiny.

She confessed that she attempted abstaining from eating, revealing periods of deep depression. She struggled with both body dysmorphia and disordered eating, yet her efforts did not result in any noticeable change in appearance. In fact, her condition seemed to worsen over time.

She mentions, “I was often told I was irrational or making mistakes.” Yet, she continued to speak up for herself. Eventually, this persistence resulted in finding a solution.

For more stars that have spoken out about their own health journeys, keep reading…

During a wrestling match in July 2025, a former Total Bellas cast member disclosed that a slight displacement occurred in one of her breast implants following a powerful elbow strike delivered by fellow WWE star Piper Niven.

In simpler terms, she assured her sister Bella Garcia that everything was alright. She mentioned they would address the issue eventually. She also shared with the doctor that she was recently divorced, implying that soon after settling matters, she planned to return for more treatments to ensure their appearance would be impressive as they were destined for attention in the future.

In 2014, the actress who played a pivotal role in “12 Years a Slave” was diagnosed with uterine fibroids – these are harmless growths that occur near or within the womb. Remarkably, this diagnosis came in the same year she was awarded an Oscar for her outstanding performance in that movie.

Yet, it was only in the year 2025 that she revealed her diagnosis, taking to Instagram to share that she had endured silent struggle for over a decade.

In her words, she expressed that during puberty, the idea is often instilled that periods come with pain, and this discomfort is just an inevitable aspect of femininity. She emphasized that many women endure these challenging experiences individually, as it significantly impacts their lives.

 

In July 2025, the lead singer of Daisy Jones & The Six revealed that she was admitted to the hospital due to a hernia, which is an opening in the muscle wall often found in the abdomen or lower body region, resulting from wearing constrictive trousers.

She wrote on X, which was previously known as Twitter, saying, “‘You haven’t tweeted in a while,'” but added, “Remember six months ago when I wore such tight pants that I ended up with a hernia? I’ve been too afraid to tell you about it.

Back in the sweltering spring of ’25, I, a die-hard fan and devotee, found myself on the receiving end of a heart-stopping revelation. My beloved alumnus from the iconic 90210 of Beverly Hills had to undergo surgery, all because his appendix had come close to bursting! Talk about a rollercoaster ride of emotions!

A week ago, Brian shared on an Instagram video that he began experiencing abdominal discomfort. This led him to visit the emergency room where he was diagnosed with a nearly-burst appendix – a perforated one, to be precise.

He added, “I’m on the road to recovery. It’s not an easy process. This is my first major surgery.”

Adam Devine revealed that the injuries he received at age 11, following an accident involving a cement truck, continue to impact his health up until now.

In an episode of the “In Depth With Graham Bensinger” podcast from 2025, Devine expressed, “It’s been a living hell,” due to persistent body spasms. He shared that doctors had informed him earlier this year that he was close to death.

He mentioned that pain fluctuates occasionally, and he expressed that his body contains various issues that are somewhat off or not functioning perfectly.

The former star from Bachelor Nation revealed that he had to visit the hospital, moving on hands and knees, because of intense back pain that worsened during a camping trip with a buddy.

He mentioned during an episode of his Trading Secrets podcast in March 2025 that his legs from knees to toes were still numb, which he found strange. To give you some context, around two to four weeks prior, he was managing to squat about 295 pounds. However, at the moment, he can’t even perform a one-legged squat without falling – it’s as if he had experienced a stroke or something similar. But let me assure you, he wasn’t trying to sound arrogant when he said that.

But with the help of a back specialist and some steroids, he added, “We’re on the mend.”

Back in March 2025, Gina Kirschneheiter from “Real Housewives of Orange County” revealed that her former spouse, Matt Kirschneheiter, had experienced a heart attack. Luckily, he pulled through this challenging situation.

During a New York Knicks basketball match in March 2025, the renowned actor from “30 Rock” experienced a medical incident, which required him to be transported from Madison Square Garden in a wheelchair.

On the next day, the comedian posted an update on his social media platform, explaining it was a matter of food poisoning and he was recovering well.

In February 2025, the actress who starred in “Even Stevens” disclosed that she had been accidentally shot in the face during a trip to fire clay pigeons for her husband Brendan Rooney’s birthday celebration.

While another party was with us, they accidentally discharged their weapon in the incorrect direction, striking me in the face. At that moment, @thebrendanrooney quickly stepped in, assessed my condition, and rushed me to the hospital. I was hit in five spots; one bullet was less than an inch from hitting me directly in my right eye.

The former star of “Kim Possible” went on to say, “Regrettably, a piece has become stuck near my eye, and it’s not safe for surgery right now. The doctors are keeping close tabs on me (for now, I can see fine).

The actress expressed her heartfelt gratitude for simply being alive. She went on to say, “My daughters, husband, family, and friends mean the world to me.” She further shared that she had a brief glimpse of her entire life, and now she urges everyone to cherish their loved ones by hugging them whenever they can. Life, she pointed out, can take an unexpected turn in the blink of an eye.

In a 2025 episode of Call Her Daddy, Amy Schumer jokingly expressed her initial frustration with the internet for criticizing her appearance after several interviews. However, she found solace when medical professionals chimed in on social media, suggesting that her unusual face could be a sign of Cushing syndrome caused by spiking cortisol levels or steroid injections. Upon self-reflection, Amy realized that she had indeed been receiving steroid injections following procedures like a breast reduction and C-section. The comments led her to discover that she had a type of Cushing syndrome that would eventually resolve itself, leaving her feeling grateful for the internet’s role in diagnosing her condition and ensuring her overall health.

In a hockey game in December 2024, one player from the AHL had his skin sewn up with 25 stitches following an accident when another player’s skate sliced into him. Later, when his father, Tom Fitzgerald, who holds the position of general manager for the New Jersey Devils, spoke to ESPN after his son was fully healed, he expressed relief and stated that he wouldn’t wish a similar incident on any parent.

In March 2022, Hailey Bieber, the skincare entrepreneur, experienced a terrifying incident during breakfast with her husband Justin Bieber. She suddenly began showing symptoms similar to a stroke, such as facial drooping and difficulty speaking. When Justin asked if she was alright, Hailey found herself unable to respond. Eventually, she was taken to the hospital where scans revealed a small blood clot in her brain, referred to as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). Further investigations at UCLA uncovered a heart condition called patent foramen ovale (PFO), which is thought to have allowed the blood clot to travel from her heart to her brain. After undergoing a successful PFO closure procedure, Hailey reported feeling well.

In the same year Hailey underwent a health crisis, Justin also faced one of his own. Specifically, in June 2022, the singer announced that he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a condition which led to temporary paralysis on half of his face and prompted him to cancel the rest of his Justice World Tour. He explained on Instagram that this condition affected the nerve in his ear and facial nerves, causing full paralysis on one side of his face. He couldn’t blink, smile or move one nostril. He mentioned that eating became progressively harder for him, but eventually, the paralysis subsided. Hailey shared on Good Morning America that he was doing well and feeling better after the ordeal, although it had been a very frightening and unexpected situation. She expressed gratitude that he was fine in the end.

Initially, Jamie Foxx chose to keep quiet about his hospitalization in April 2023. However, during his 2024 Netflix special “What Had Happened Was…”, he shared the details of his harrowing experience. One day in Atlanta, the Oscar-winning actor complained of a severe headache and asked for an aspirin. Before he could obtain it, he passed out and lost consciousness for twenty days.

Upon waking up after undergoing surgery on May 4, Foxx found himself wheelchair-bound and unable to walk. He then traveled to Chicago for rehabilitation and therapy. “I appreciate every prayer,” Foxx said, “because I needed every one of them.” During his hospital stay, it was discovered that he had a brain hemorrhage which caused a stroke. His sister, Deidra Dixon, drove him to the hospital after noticing his condition. Upon arrival, doctors confirmed the diagnosis and performed the necessary surgery.

In 2019, actress Emilia Clarke, known for her work on Game of Thrones, penned an essay titled “A Battle for My Life” in The New Yorker. One day at the gym, she experienced severe headaches and was violently ill, with the pain intensifying. Upon visiting a hospital, it was determined that she had suffered a life-threatening type of stroke called a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to an aneurysm. She underwent immediate surgery to repair the aneurysm, describing the pain as excruciating. During her recovery, she experienced aphasia and spoke nonsensically.

Fortunately, Emilia recovered from the aphasia a week later and was discharged from the hospital after a month. However, during a 2013 brain scan, she learned that a growth in her brain had doubled in size, necessitating another surgery. This time, they accessed her brain through her skull. She shared that she is now fully recovered and in good health.

Snoop Dogg’s daughter, Cori Broadus, expresses gratitude for her family following a severe stroke she experienced in January 2024. In her distress, she reached out to them, texting about the stroke and sending them a picture. The news quickly prompted everyone to rush to her aid. Due to additional health issues related to lupus, Cori had a longer hospital stay than anticipated as her kidneys were failing and she was facing multiple medical challenges. Today, however, Cori is recovering well, working on regaining some motor skills but overall, she’s doing fine.

During the latter part of her twenties, Shailene Woodley experienced a series of health issues. These problems became severe enough that she started losing her hearing, could only walk for short periods before needing prolonged rest, and found it hard to digest food without discomfort. She was given various diagnoses by different doctors but struggled to find consistent answers due to the complexity of her condition.

To address this, Shailene, who has a background in holistic healing, sought help from both traditional medical professionals and independent healers. This quest for healing took over a decade, during which she also grappled with the psychological effects of her physical discomfort. These included fear of food due to stomach pain, body dysmorphia, confusion about self-identity, and feelings of insecurity and uncertainty regarding her body and personal identity.

Eventually, both her physical health and mental wellbeing improved significantly. Shailene is now in good health and shares that she is grateful for this improvement.

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2025-08-19 07:17