This Australian TV personality and influencer has always been known for her glamorous lifestyle.
But this week she’s swapped red carpets for hospital sheets after a frightening health scare that left her fans and followers deeply concerned.
The former Bachelor star and founder of the Shevoke sunglasses brand has opened up about her ordeal, sharing both a candid update and a heartfelt message of gratitude from her hospital bed.
A sudden collapse and a shocking diagnosis
Lisa Hyde’s ordeal began with what she described as ‘unbearable’ pain. Initially, after a trip to the hospital, she was told her symptoms were likely muscular.
But Lisa’s instincts told her otherwise. ‘I knew something wasn’t right,’ she shared on social media. Her fears were confirmed when, just hours later, she collapsed at home.
Thankfully, her parents found her in time—barely able to talk or move—and rushed her back to hospital.
After further tests, Lisa was diagnosed with crowned dens syndrome, a rare and little-known condition that causes severe neck pain due to calcium deposits (or, in some cases, uric acid crystals) forming around the top of the spine.
The result? Excruciating pain, stiffness, and sometimes even fever. For Lisa, it was a wake-up call she never saw coming.
A wake-up call for self-care
From her hospital bed, Lisa posted a photo in a neck brace, surrounded by her supportive family.
Her message was clear: ‘Sometimes you don’t choose the break—the break chooses you. I’ve been constantly pushing myself and my body just couldn’t keep up. Grateful for the wake-up call and the chance to slow down and reset.’
She even managed to keep her sense of humour, joking, ‘Although next time I’d appreciate a beach somewhere in Europe.’
Lisa’s story is a powerful reminder that even the most energetic and seemingly unstoppable among us need to listen to our bodies.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s all too easy to ignore the warning signs—until our bodies force us to stop.
What is crowned dens syndrome?
Crowned dens syndrome is a rare inflammatory condition, most often affecting people over 50, though it can strike at any age.
It occurs when calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals or other deposits form around the odontoid process (the ‘dens’) at the top of the spine.
This can lead to sudden, severe neck pain, stiffness, and sometimes fever or neurological symptoms.
The syndrome is often misdiagnosed as simple muscular pain or even meningitis, due to the intensity of the symptoms.
Diagnosis usually requires a CT scan to spot the telltale ‘crown’ of crystals. Treatment typically involves anti-inflammatory medications, pain relief, and sometimes corticosteroids.
Why Lisa’s story matters to older Australians
While Lisa Hyde is in her 30s, crowned dens syndrome is more common in older adults.
It’s a timely reminder for all of us—especially those in the YourLifeChoices community—to take unexplained pain seriously, advocate for ourselves in medical settings, and never ignore our instincts.
Neck pain and stiffness are common complaints as we age, but if you experience sudden, severe pain—especially with fever or neurological symptoms—don’t hesitate to seek medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference.
The importance of listening to your body
Lisa’s experience is a lesson in self-care and the importance of not pushing ourselves past our limits.
Many of us, especially those juggling work, family, and other commitments, are guilty of ignoring aches and pains or dismissing them as ‘just part of getting older’.
But as Lisa’s story shows, sometimes our bodies are trying to tell us something important.
A message of gratitude and support
Despite her ordeal, Lisa has remained positive, thanking her followers for their outpouring of support. ‘Thank you for the lovely messages of support,’ she wrote, sharing a video of her family by her side in the hospital.
It’s a reminder that, in tough times, the support of loved ones—and even strangers—can make all the difference.
Have you experienced a health wake-up call?
Lisa’s story has resonated with many, sparking conversations about the importance of self-care, listening to our bodies, and advocating for our health.
Have you ever experienced a health scare that made you rethink your lifestyle or priorities? How do you balance staying active and busy with looking after your wellbeing?
We’d love to hear your stories and tips in the comments below. Your experiences could help others in our community recognise the signs and take action before a minor issue becomes a major one.
Stay informed, stay healthy
If you’d like to learn more about rare conditions like crowned dens syndrome, or if you have questions about neck pain and other health concerns, check out our health section for more expert advice and real-life stories from Australians just like you.
And remember: sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to slow down, listen to your body, and ask for help when you need it. As Lisa Hyde’s experience shows, it’s never too late for a wake-up call—and a fresh start.
Have you or someone you know experienced a similar health scare? How did you cope, and what advice would you give others? Share your thoughts and stories below—we’re all in this together.
Also read: Rumer Willis shares update on dad Bruce Willis’ health as he turns 70
Yes, an unexpected health scare for me following a full knee replacement. Vomitting after the anaesthetic caused my salt levels to drop dangerously low and it was almost lights out for me. Lost about 3-4 days. In the beginning I had hallucinations and then went into hyponatremia. Very scary indeed.
My wake up call would have been that the ‘treatment’ for this condition was “anti-inflammatory medications, pain relief and sometimes corticosteroids”. This is symptom mitigation and does nothing for the condition itself.
I had a kidney stone some years ago and was told the stone was 6mm in diameter and too high up in the kidney tubules to be able to be passed naturally. My advice was to take pain-killers but not for too long due to the risk of gastric damage. Then arrange for an appointment with a urologist to get the stone scanned to accurately locate it and then arrange admission to a hospital the urologist attended where the stone would be shattered with ultrasonic pulses. It would then be able to be passed out in the urine but the process was the equivalent to the pain of childbirth for women.
1. Stop the pain-killers? The stone was SO painful just sitting up there in my kidney that it made me dry-wretch and unable to do anything but writhe around moaning.
2. Specialists cost heaps. I had no health cover so the hospital stay would add to that and
3. More pain was not my idea of getting better.
I was lucky though. After leaving the Triage nurse who agreed with my wife who described the symptoms for the condition that she found on Google, my clever wife ordered a particular herb on-line. This herb was known as a traditional medicine for many cultures bordering the equator and down to the sub-tropical zone. From Indian Ayurveydic practitioners through numerous Asian countries and even across to South American traditional medicinal uses, what is now formulated and branded as Karuah ChancaPlus™ was ordered with Express Delivery.
Taking 6 capsules every 8 hours (the pain totally disappeared about the 5 hour mark), it only took around 12 hours and at 2am I standing over the toilet peeing and the flow was just slightly interrupted before the job was done. I switched on the light to look into the bowl and spotted a brick red and olive, gelatinous clump around 5 to 10mm in diameter.
No on-going pain. No hospital fees. No specialist fees. No pain peeing. No anti-inflammatories or pain killers.
I now take ChancaPlus regularly for its action in gelatinizing calcium in soft tissues – including kidneys, gall bladder and ducts, blood vessels linings and walls, brain tissues, joints and synovial fluid and a whole lot more.
No medical claims here. Just something to try in order to avoid anti-inflammatory medications, pain relief and corticosteroids and a whole lot of inconvenience, cost and suffering.