Andie MacDowell reveals diagnosis with rare neuromuscular condition

On By Littum

Andie MacDowell gave an update on her physical health during a January 23 performance The Drew Barrymore Show.

“I have piriformis syndrome,” the 66-year-old Girl star revealed.

Piriformis syndrome is a rare neuromuscular condition that causes pain and numbness in the buttocks and back of the legs. According to the American Osteopathic Association, piriformis syndrome affects about 200,000 people in the United States each year.

“So it’s a muscle that kind of pinches my sciatic nerve and it shot down my leg,” MacDowell explained.

“I thought I was going to have a hip replacement,” she added, before admitting she continued to ride her indoor cycling machine “like crazy” at first.

“It’s not suitable for my body and I ended up with bad knees and a bad hip. I thought I was literally falling apart, the actor said.

Now, MacDowell is taking the necessary steps to alleviate her condition.

Andie MacDowell opens up about being diagnosed with piriformis syndrome
Andie MacDowell opens up about being diagnosed with piriformis syndrome (Getty Images for Hallmark Media)

“I have to work on my little bottom and my hips,” the Four weddings and a funeral said star. “I have to work the bottom and work my hip. I just do it every day.”

Fortunately, MacDowell’s muscles no longer hurt. “It’s a miracle,” she said. “The good news is my bits are fine. My knees are fine except for aging. They’ve aged.”

Despite her diagnosis and the pain she endured with it, it is Ready or not The actress is at peace now that she has left Hollywood for a simpler life in South Carolina.

“I’m happier now than I’ve been in a long time,” she told Barrymore. “I moved to South Carolina and I take really good care of myself. It took me forever.”

Moving across the country wasn’t an easy decision for MacDowell, but after her children — Justin Qualley, 39, Rainey Qualley, 35, and The substance star Margaret Qualley, 30 – moved out, she was more likely to make a major life change.

“Margaret really told me I should have the time of my life, but I didn’t,” the mother-of-three said. “But now I am. I’m having the time of my life now. It’s really good.”

MacDowell welcomed her three children with her ex-husband, Paul J Qualley. The two were married for 13 years, from 1986 to 1999.

Two years later was Green card lead bonded knowledge with her second husband, Rhett Hartzog. However, her marriage to the entrepreneur did not last long as the couple separated after only three years together.