Justin Timberlake has become the latest celebrity to publicly reveal a Lyme disease diagnosis, joining other high profile figures such as Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber, Miranda Hart, and Alec Baldwin.
The singer broke the news of his debilitating health battle to fans in an Instagram post on Thursday marking the end of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
” Among other things, I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease – which I don’t say so you feel bad for me – but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes. If you’ve experienced this disease or know someone who has – then you’re aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically. When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread via the bite of an infected tick. Ticks can be found in woodland, heathland, throughout the countryside, on golf courses, at music festivals, and have spread into urban parks and gardens.
Cases are rising with global warming as tick populations more easily survive the colder months. Whilst not all ticks are infected, true case numbers in the UK are unknown. Pet owners may be at increased risk, particularly when pets carry ticks into homes.
Ticks can be tiny, as small as a poppy seed, and their bite painless so they are easy to miss. If treated early and effectively patients have a good chance at a full recovery. If diagnosis and treatment is delayed, later-stage disease can become more complex and harder to treat.
Sometimes an erythema (EM) rash can show following a tick bite and is diagnostic for the infection, but not everybody with Lyme disease will develop a rash. If a rash does occur it can appear up to 3 months after being bitten by an infected tick, but usually presents within 1 to 4 weeks. It can last for several weeks.
Early symptoms can include fatigue, headaches, flu-like illness, facial palsy, migratory muscle and joint pain, nausea, and a stiff neck.
Symptoms can progress to cardiac issues and neurological symptoms causing numbness, tingling and problems with memory or concentration. More severe complications can include inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
Raising awareness
We are very grateful to Justin for helping to spread awareness about Lyme disease and we hope his health improves very soon. Many media organisations have been quick to cover the story.
There is a need for greater understanding about the complexities of the illness as well as optimal treatment, amongst both the medical community and the general public. Further research into the condition and improved testing would drastically help to tackle the disease.
Currently a negative test does not rule out Lyme disease where suspicion exists, and there is no test to show if the illness has been effectively treated. It is not uncommon for patients to have been misdiagnosed with other conditions, often for many years.
Treatment protocols tailored for late-stage Lyme disease are not offered by the NHS. Patients often have no option but to treat privately, sometimes for months to years, and often find themselves overseas seeking improved knowledge and medical care.
Many Lyme patients struggle to fully convey the extent of their suffering to others.
“I was reluctant to talk about this because I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself. But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren’t misinterpreted. Sharing all of this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected. I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease too.” ~ Justin Timberlake
Protect yourself from Lyme disease
Read more about Lyme disease, how to protect yourself from tick bites, and what to do in the event of a bite.