Musician Justin Timberlake discloses his diagnosis with Lyme disease
In a surprising turn of events, two renowned music stars, Justin Timberlake and Shania Twain, have shared their personal struggles with Lyme disease.
Justin Timberlake, the pop sensation, recently faced criticism on TikTok for some of his performances where he was seen relying on the crowd to sing large portions of his songs. In an attempt to set the record straight, Timberlake revealed on Thursday that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease. He wrote that he was reluctant to share the personal news but wanted to be transparent about his struggles.
Meanwhile, Shania Twain, the country music legend, discussed her struggles with Lyme disease in her 2022 documentary "Not Just a Girl." In the documentary, she revealed that she was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2003. The disease affected her ability to perform onstage, causing regular, brief blackouts and loss of balance. Twain also feared she would lose her voice forever due to Lyme disease.
Lyme disease, a disease transferred from ticks to humans, can be debilitating, both mentally and physically. Advanced stages of the disease can manifest as multi-system involvement with joint inflammation, nerve and brain inflammation, facial nerve palsy, cardiac irregularities, and severe headaches. Symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, mood and psychological changes, and cognitive problems are also common [1][3][5].
Twain stated that her voice was never the same after her Lyme disease diagnosis. She also shared her fear of falling off the stage due to the disease's symptoms. Timberlake, on the other hand, didn't disclose what stage of Lyme disease he has, but according to the Mayo Clinic, various stages can include symptoms of tiredness, pain, joint swelling, and muscle weakness.
Several celebrities have shared that they have been diagnosed with Lyme disease, including Shania Twain. Timberlake thanked fans for showing up with their "signs, messages, and DIY t-shirts," promising to continue fighting against the disease.
In a heartfelt message, Twain expressed her gratitude to her fans for their support, saying, "You guys have carried me through some of the darkest moments of my life." She also encouraged everyone to educate themselves about Lyme disease and its symptoms, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Lyme disease. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20355772
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Lyme Disease. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html
[5] American Academy of Neurology. (2016). Practice guideline updates summary: Lyme disease. Neurology, 87(15), 1566-1573. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000003458
- Despite the criticism on TikTok regarding his performances, Justin Timberlake revealed that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a disease known for its debilitating mental and physical effects.
- Shania Twain, another celebrity affected by Lyme disease, described in her documentary "Not Just a Girl" how the disease affected her ability to perform onstage, causing frequent blackouts and loss of balance.
- Advocating for education about Lyme disease and its symptoms, Shania Twain emphasized the importance of early detection and treatment to prevent the potentially severe health-and-wellness consequences associated with the disease, including mental-health issues, joint inflammation, and cognitive problems.
