Vivy Yusof reveals battle with lupus: 'My body is collapsing from inside'
In an Instagram post, Vivy, whose full name is Vivy Sofinas Yusof, 38, said she must live with the condition for the rest of her life and is actively seeking treatment.
"Lupus means wolf, which symbolises how frightening this illness is. Essentially, it attacks your body from within, and you may not realise it as it manifests through symptoms such as fatigue, rashes or joint pain.
"Stress is the biggest enemy. I thought I was managing my stress well as an entrepreneur since I rarely fall ill and I'm always optimistic, but I didn't realise my body is actually collapsing from inside," she said.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body's tissues and organs.
It can affect anyone, but is most commonly found among women aged between 15 and 50.
The disease is reported to impact not only physical health but also mental well-being, often leading to symptoms of anxiety and depression.
However, Vivy, who is married to Datuk Fadzarudin Shah Anuar, is grateful the disease was detected, giving her a chance to seek treatment.
"I'm thankful I was diagnosed. Now I know how to manage it.
"I've been told it's a lifelong condition, which I've come to terms with. Still, I'm constantly exploring treatment options that don't involve long-term steroid use," she said.
Vivy has resumed sharing aspects of her life with followers on social media after a brief hiatus.
She has created a new Instagram account as a platform to share her personal journey. Through the account, she has opened up about her experience with lupus.
Previously, Vivy had set her main Instagram account to private following legal proceedings.
Vivy and her husband were charged with an alternative count of criminal breach of trust involving RM8 million in investment funds belonging to Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Permodalan Nasional Bhd six years ago.
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