Sandra Lee, best known as the star of the hit series Dr. Pimple Popper, has opened up about a frightening medical emergency that occurred while she was filming her spin-off show, Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out. What began as what seemed like a minor discomfort quickly escalated into a life-threatening situation.
She revealed that her symptoms initially felt similar to a hot flash, something she did not think was serious at first. However, the situation soon became much more alarming while she was still on set.
Early Symptoms That Were Easy to Miss
Lee described suddenly feeling unwell, with intense sweating and discomfort that she initially brushed off. After returning to her parents’ home, her condition began to worsen noticeably.
She experienced sharp pain in her leg, restlessness, and increasing difficulty moving normally.
“I just felt very restless. In one leg I kept feeling shooting pains,” she shared in an interview with People.
Soon after, she noticed something even more concerning—her body was not responding the way it should.
When Something Felt Seriously Wrong
As symptoms progressed, she began struggling with basic movement and coordination. One of her arms would slowly drop when lifted, and she started noticing weakness on one side of her body.
Her speech also became affected.
“I had a tough time articulating and enunciating,” she said, adding that she even questioned whether she might be having a stroke.
At that moment, she realized the situation could not be ignored.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
Lee went to the hospital, where doctors confirmed she had suffered an ischemic stroke. This type of stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked, leading to damage in affected areas.
“As a physician, I couldn’t deny that I had slurred speech and weakness,” she explained. “But I was like, ‘Is this really happening?’”
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