Why Did Amy Schumer Lose 50 Pounds? Here's The Truth Behind The Disease That 'Could Kill' Her

In a since-deleted Instagram post, comedian and actress Amy Schumer revealed that her 50-pound weight loss was not just about looking attractive, which she described as a "fun and temporary" benefit of slimming down. "I did it to survive," she explained. Schumer then went on to write, "I had a disease that makes your face extremely puffy that can kill you, but the internet caught it, and the disease has cleared" (via People). 

While she did not explicitly mention the name of the illness, Schumer has previously spoken about being diagnosed with Cushing syndrome. According to People, the star first discussed her diagnosis in the February 23, 2024, edition of Jessica Yellin's "News Not Noise" newsletter. Having fans ask her why her face looked "puffier" just days earlier was a wake-up call, according to Schumer. "But thank God for that. Because that's how I realized something was wrong," she said.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Cushing syndrome is caused by having high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, either because the adrenal glands are making too much or the person is taking glucocorticoids, medications that have the same effects as cortisol.

The Mayo Clinic also notes a range of symptoms, with the most common ones being weight gain in the torso and face ("moon face"), a fatty lump between the shoulders ("buffalo hump"), pink or purple stretch marks, thin skin that bruises easily, slow wound healing, and acne. Complications of untreated Cushing syndrome can include bone loss, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, infections, and loss of muscle. It can also lead to death (per Cleveland Clinic).

Treatment for the condition depends on its causes. If it is due to medication, which Schumer has said was the case for her following her breast reduction and Cesarean section (via USA Today), your doctor may slowly taper down your dose. If a pituitary or adrenal tumor is the culprit, it can be removed surgically. If an ACTH-producing tumor can't be located or completely removed, the adrenal glands themselves may be removed to halt production of cortisol. If surgery is not possible, your doctor may also recommend radiation therapy. Additionally, various medications can be used to control cortisol production or block its effects (per Mayo Clinic).