Rumer Willis opens up about mysterious illness that makes her stomach feel ‘on fire’

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor Rumer Willis has revealed she is suffering from a mysterious stomach problem that leaves feeling “helpless and scared and so utterly overwhelmed”.

The 31-year-old posted a photograph of herself on Instagram ahead of her birthday to discuss her ongoing health issues.

“How do we Let Go?” the actor began the caption of the post.

“This was me yesterday. Exhausted, Overwhelmed and Broken Down,” she continued, adding that prior to taking the photo she had been “sobbing” on the phone with her sister during what she referred to as “a full little kid meltdown”.

The former Dancing with the Stars winner explained that she has felt ill for the majority of August, initially as a result of food poisoning.

However, she added that an “unknown stomach problem” has left her being unable to eat as, when she does, it feels like her “stomach is on fire”. Willis said she also came down with the flu that developed into a sinus infection.

“I felt helpless and scared and so utterly overwhelmed,” she said.

“I felt like time was just drifting by and I was trapped in a body that didn’t want to work with me.

“I have been in so much pain and kept trying to fight it and be angry and sad, but what I realised was that I was trying to control it. I was listening to my body or what it needed and was just trying to control how I felt and when I felt it.”

In order to avoid feeling negative about her illness, the Pretty Little Liars star said that she has done “some compassionate self-forgiveness for any judgements” she was holding against her body for not behaving the way she wanted it to.

The actor concluded her post, stating that she felt compelled to share her health issues on social media as she believes it is important to show the realities of life with her followers.

“I encourage you as you move forward with you day, week or even month allow yourself to let go of the control of the outcome, control of the expectations of how it should go or look, and let go of whatever story you are making up about yourself if it doesn’t turn out the way you planned,” she added.

Willis’ post has received over 13,000 likes and comments from her followers sending their support to the star.

“So much love for you you strong woman, [sic]” wrote one user.

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Another added: “Your vulnerability is your strength Rue. Try to hang on to the truth that the reasons for this situation will reveal themselves in time [sic].”

“Love u, [sic]” commented model Tess Holliday.

Earlier this summer, the actor spoke openly about her struggles with self-esteem and body confidence as a child.

Willis – who is the eldest daughter of actors Demi Moore and Bruce Willis – said her classmates often called her “potato head” as a child and that she had a “huge jaw”.

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“When you’re 14 or 15, I didn’t really understand having value in myself yet,” the What Lies Ahead actor told the Huffington Post.

“My mind went to, ‘Okay, so if I get skinny or if I dress the right way or present myself very hyper-sexually and dress this way, then I’ll be valued.’”

In order to overcome her issues, the star said she turned to her mother for support and has worked on not allowing other people’s comments to affect her well-being.

“I think the most important thing for me is doing my best to lead by example,” she told the publication, adding that she's focussing on being as honest as possible with her social media followers. “I still deal with insecurity and trying to figure out my own path in all of it.”