In a new interview with PEOPLE (via Billboard), Missy Elliott revealed she’s been battling Graves’ disease since 2008.

Elliott says the disease, an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid, began to take its toll on her body rather quickly.

“I was [driving and] trying to put my foot on the brake, but my leg was jumping. I couldn’t keep the brake down and almost crashed,” Elliott said. “I couldn’t write because my nervous system was so bad — I couldn’t even use a pen.”

Elliott added that she is 30 pounds lighter because of exercise. “My thyroid is functioning, so I haven’t had to take medication in about nine months. [But] you live with it for the rest of your life.”

According to Billboard, Elliott will discuss her battle with Graves’ disease in a ‘Behind the Music’ interview, airing June 29 at on VH1.

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