Ryan Sutter is opening up about his five-month health battle with a mystery illness that has left him "paralyzed" with fatigue.
The "Bachelorette" star's wife, Trista Sutter, first brought Ryan's internal war to light earlier in the week, indicating they know he's not battling cancer, but they don't know what he's actually suffering from.
In a series of Instagram posts, Ryan detailed his private fight, explaining that he began working as a firefighter again earlier this year.
"I completed the academy and believed/hoped I would begin to recover and feel better. It's been five months now and, if anything, I feel worse," he said. "Though I am functional and continue to work my regular fire schedule, I am experiencing a battery of symptoms which include: fatigue – sometimes almost paralyzing, deep body and muscle aches, fevers, night sweats, full body itching with no rash, headaches, neck and throat swelling, congestion, light headedness, nausea, and just general all around not feeling good."
Ryan has tested negative for COVID-19 several times and he's tested negative for Lupus, so those illnesses have been essentially ruled out. He's also taken several blood tests, but nothing has been conclusive.
"I am not taking any medications, maintain a healthy diet and am doing my best to get rest. Most days I feel about 70%. Somedays I feel a bit better and somedays I can barely get out of bed," he said. "I don't believe I have anything contagious as no one else in my family has been sick nor has anyone I have worked with or associated with been sick."
Since coming forward with his unknown illness, Ryan has heard from many others with similar stories.
"The struggle to find answers in the medical world and support through the insurance industry is frustrating and lacking. One must truly and persistently advocate for himself/herself if they hope to find answers or, at the very least, rule out possibilities," he said. "I am concerned that we are bearing witness to the effects of our lifestyles and the relative lack of understanding as to how we live on a daily basis influences our health and well being and the health and well being of others? In the pursuit of answers to my personal situation, I hope I might be of some help to all those suffering in similar ways as I am now acutely sympathetic."
Regardless of the unknown, Ryan is prepared to fight this battle.
"I have a strong support group and the best wife in the world. Please don't worry about me. I will be fine. If you must worry, worry about each other. Support each other. Be there for each other," he said. "The outpouring of support I have received has been humbling and therapeutic. I could not be more grateful. I can not imagine the healing power that amount of love and caring would have on the world should we all choose to apply it? Maybe let's find out…"