Like Justin Timberlake, these 15 celebrities have Lyme disesase and shared their journeys with fans
Lyme disease, an infection caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi (are spread by ticks), can "cause arthritis, memory problems, neurological symptoms, Bell's palsy, cardiac arrhythmias, depression and anxiety", Dr Deborah Lee previously told Cosmopolitan UK. It can also be "a cause of chronic fatigue with a clinical picture similar to chronic fatigue syndrome."
Many people are able to treat the disease with antibiotics meaning it cannot progress, but unfortunately for some it can cause life-altering symptoms on a long-term basis.
Sharing his own experience, Timberlake said, "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."
He added that at one point, quitting touring seemed like an option but he ultimately decided that the joy performing gives him outweighed the downsides. "I'm so glad I kept going."
Here are 15 celebrities who've opened up about their Lyme disease diagnosis:
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.Celebrities with Lyme disease: Avril Lavigne
Singer Lavigne had a really difficult time during the earlier stages of her diagnosis, saying it left her bed-bound for two years, but is now back to making music and doing well – proving recovery is possible.
"I spent the last few years at home sick fighting Lyme disease," she wrote in a letter to fans on her website. "[At one point, I] had accepted death and could feel my body shutting down. I felt like I was drowning. Like I was in a river being pulled in a current. Unable to breathe."
Lavigne added, "A single bug bite can f*ck you up hard. People aren't aware that Lyme must be treated almost immediately."Celebrities with Lyme disease: Bella Hadid
The model has been candid about the difficulties she's faced following her Lyme disease diagnosis, sharing honest posts of her journey and recovery on social media.
"If you look back at work pictures from the past eight years you can tell the difference between me when my Lyme flares up and me when I'm healthy," she said. "She's a different girl. I feel so bad for her."
In an Instagram post following months of intensive treatments, Hadid wrote, "If you are struggling – it will get better. I promise. Take a step away, stay strong, have faith in your path, walk in your truth and the clouds will start to clear up. I have so much gratitude for and perspective on life, this 100+ days of Lyme, chronic disease, co-infection treatment, almost 15 years of invisible suffering, was all worth it if I'm able to, God willing, have a lifetime of spreading love from a full cup."Celebrities with Lyme disease: Justin Bieber
Back in January 2020, Bieber took to Instagram to clear up some speculation about his health, telling fans he was working hard to recover from Lyme disease.
"It's been a rough couple years," he told them, pointing out that allegations that he was dealing with a substance abuse issue had been hurtful. "They failed to realise I've been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my skin, brain function, energy, and overall health."
"I've been battling and OVERCOMING!!" the singer added. "I will be back and better than ever."Celebrities with Lyme disease: Hailey Bieber
While luckily not impacted to the same extent as her husband, Justin Bieber, the make-up mogul revealed on Women's Health's Going for Goal podcast that she too had faced a Lyme disease diagnosis – showing just how differently it can impact individuals.
"Lyme disease is an interesting thing because a lot of people don't believe it's real, and a lot of people think it's BS," she said. "But I've had it before, I've dealt with it. My husband has it and deals with it very deeply.
"I think it's about finding the right doctors who believe in getting to the bottom of any health issues that you might have."Celebrities with Lyme disease: Riley Keough
Speaking about seeking treatment for Lyme disease and how it impacted on her family planning, the Daisy Jones and the Six star told Vanity Fair, "I used this little break that I have to come and try and see if I can alleviate [my Lyme disease] a bit. It's a holistic treatment centre and offers all kinds of things that you can't really do in America yet, like cleaning your blood."
She also discussed how her condition influenced her decision to choose surrogacy for her daughter, who she welcomed in 2022 with husband Ben Smith-Petersen."I can carry children, but it felt like the best choice for what I had going on physically with the autoimmune stuff."Celebrities with Lyme disease: Kelly Osbourne
In her memoir, Osbourne wrote about her battle to be diagnosed. "I had started entering my symptoms into online quizzes, and the results kept coming back Lyme disease. I got tested. The results were positive: I had stage III neurological Lyme disease. I was relieved to finally know what was going on, but I was also scared sh*tless."
She has since stated that stem cell therapy has helped to alleviate her symptoms, although this is not a formally recognised treatment.Celebrities with Lyme disease: Shania Twain
In a documentary of her life, Not Just A Girl, Twain recalled her symptoms and how she was initially worried she would never be able to sing again.
"My symptoms were quite scary because before I was diagnosed, I was on stage very dizzy. I was losing my balance. I was afraid I was going to fall off the stage," she said. "I was having these very, very, very millisecond blackouts, but regularly, every minute or every 30 seconds."
The diagnosis process was difficult, the star also recalled. "It took several years to determine what it was. It wasn't anything obvious. Nobody connected the Lyme disease to it. In the end, a neurologist finally connected that it was the nerve to each vocal cord."
Twain now says she has "a grip" on the disease, and is back touring, singing and doing what she loves in the music world.Celebrities with Lyme disease: Ben Stiller
Actor Stiller has told press that he has had periods of living symptom-free from Lyme disease, but that it has stayed in his system.
"I got it in Nantucket, Mass., a couple of years ago. My knee became inflamed and they couldn't figure out what it was, then they found out it was Lyme," he said. "I'm symptom-free now, but Lyme doesn't ever leave your system. It's a really tough thing."Celebrities with Lyme disease: Miranda Hart
After taking a break from her acting and comedy career due to her health, Hart wrote a poignant book, I Haven't Been Entirely Honest With You, about her experience of living with Lyme disease – something she attributes to being bitten by a tick as a teenager while holidaying in the US.
While promoting the book, Hart said on BBC Radio 4, "I thought I need to research this whole wellness expertise and dialogue that's out there, but I was at bed at home alone, the doctors didn't know what to do with me and I couldn't have a cold plunge or go on a yoga retreat.
"So I thought what are the universal truths? So I did years of research, when I felt able to, and in the book there are 10 keys, which I call my treasures, to living well. And they've really genuinely [helped]. I feel like despite the suffering it came from, that I'm living a life of joy and meaning and fulfilment in a way I never have before."Celebrities with Lyme disease: Justin Timberlake
Following a two-year tour, Timberlake told fans on Instagram that he'd been juggling a Lyme disease diagnosis as well as a gruelling schedule – but that working and performing was worth it for all the joy it provides him with.
"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," he said. "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."Celebrities with Lyme disease: Yolanda Hadid
Like her daughter Bella, Yolanda Hadid has also been living with Lyme disease for a number of years – and wrote about it in her book, Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease.
"I honestly don't have the proper words in my vocabulary to describe to you the darkness, the pain, and the unknown hell I've lived these past years. I actually did not live," she shared in a speech about her illness, too.
Thankfully, Hadid has been in remission for years now and says she's feeling well, happy and healthy, with diet having a big impact on her symptoms.Celebrities with Lyme disease: Mark Ruffalo
When The Quiet Epidemic, a film about a young student and a scientist who are both diagnosed with Lyme disease and who embark on a joint quest for answers, came out, Ruffalo urged people to take note and watch it.
"From personal experience, Lyme disease can be brutal, persistent, and misdiagnosed. The healthcare industry is way behind on this disease," he said.Celebrities with Lyme disease: Ramona Singer
The Real Housewives star said she counts herself "blessed" to have caught her Lyme disease in its early stages and to have been able to start an effective antibiotics regime, along with overhauling her diet.
"You must get tested [for Lyme disease] once a year, especially if you're in an area where there are deer," she told E! News. "But, we caught it early and I'm very lucky and very blessed."Celebrities with Lyme disease: Amy Schumer
Actor and comedian Schumer asked her followers for advice on living with Lyme disease in 2020, saying she was on medication and feeling "good" but wanted to hear the experiences of others.Celebrities with Lyme disease: Alexis Ohanian
The Reddit founder and entrepreneur who is married to Serena Williams has shared his experience of Lyme disease, saying he was asymptomatic when diagnosed.
"Doing a full battery of health scans, tests, etc, and found out I have lyme disease," he wrote on X. "Wild. No symptoms, thankfully, but gonna treat."
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