Briana Culberson was forced to defend herself on Instagram after feeling that someone had been less than supportive of the many life changes she’s made in an effort to restore her health.

While celebrating the emotional and physical healing she’s seen over the last several years with a post that confirmed she’d given up alcohol and started eating “real food,” the former Real Housewives of Orange County star, and daughter of cast member Vicki Gunvalson, looked back on what she described as “medical hell” that nearly took her life.

“Last night while celebrating one of my greatest achievements someone said to me ‘must be nice!’ Completely overwhelming me with a feeling of disregard for all of my struggles and hard work,” Briana began in a recent post shared on her and husband Ryan Culberson‘s joint Instagram page.

“In 2016 I was told I’d be ‘dead in [two] months,’” she continued. “I was [labeled] with a long list of medical diagnoses and was in a tornado of medical hell.”

According to Briana, who was diagnosed with Lupus in 2016, she started making small changes in 2017 and ultimately opted to adhere to a keto diet in hopes of losing weight, which she did.

“But I was still terribly unhealthy and unable to avoid being admitted to the hospital,” she admitted.

Luckily, years later, Briana boosted her healthy journey with the help of others.

“Some people and some things came into my life during a desperate time in 2021. I honestly cannot believe the life that has been brought back into my body and soul. I never thought this level of healing was possible for ME,” she shared. “I am still working through how to share my journey because some days it’s still a blur for me. But I hang out daily in my stories and posts to try to paint the picture for my everyday life working towards physical and emotional healing. I’m always happy to chat deeper in my messages as well.”

Also with her post, Briana added, “Healing is possible, don’t give up on yourself.”

To see a slideshow of images Briana shared in regard to her ongoing health journey, check out the clip below.

Briana Culberson was seen on the first several seasons of The Real Housewives of Orange County before stepping away from the series to provide a quieter life for her kids.