Celebrities like Yolanda Hadid and Alec Baldwin have opened up about their struggles with Lyme disease, however in case you’ve ever puzzled what this well being situation really is, you’re not alone. Based on the CDC, Lyme illness is a bacterial an infection unfold to people by way of bites from infected ticks. It’s the commonest vector-borne sickness within the U.S., the CDC notes, affecting about 30,000 Individuals annually and inflicting signs like fever, headache, fatigue, or a rash on the web site of the tick bite.
Whereas Lyme infections will be handled with antibiotics, the illness will be troublesome to diagnose as a result of it shares so many signs with different diseases. If left untreated for too lengthy, the an infection can unfold all through the physique, leading to power well being points. This type of Lyme, referred to as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease (PTLD), is believed to be the results of an autoimmune response to the preliminary an infection. (It’s generally known as Persistent Lyme Illness, or CLD, though specialists usually don’t use this time period.) PTLD signs vary in severity, from mind fog to full-body exhaustion, and whereas therapies can be found, the sickness itself is incurable.
Dwelling with an invisible illness like PLTD will be lonely and terrifying, which is why many celebrities with Lyme illness have chosen to make use of their platforms to unfold consciousness about therapy and prevention. Preserve studying to study extra about how Lyme has affected the lives of celebs like Bella Hadid, Shania Twain, and Justin Bieber, amongst others.
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Justin Timberlake
Picture Credit score: Christopher Polk/Selection Justin Timberlake revealed his Lyme disease diagnosis in a July 31 Instagram video whereas reflecting on the top of his Neglect Tomorrow tour.
“Amongst different issues, I’ve been battling some well being points, and was identified with Lyme illness — which I don’t say so you’re feeling dangerous for me — however to shed some mild on what I’ve been up towards behind the scenes,” Timberlake stated.
“Should you’ve skilled this illness or know somebody who has — then you definitely’re conscious: residing with this may be relentlessly debilitating, each mentally and bodily. Once I first obtained the analysis, I used to be shocked for certain. However, at the least I may perceive why I’d be onstage and in a large quantity of nerve ache or, simply feeling loopy fatigue or illness. I used to be confronted with a private resolution. Cease touring? Or, hold going and determine it out. I made a decision the enjoyment that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my physique was feeling. I’m so glad I stored going.”
“Sharing all of this with the hope that we are able to all discover a solution to be extra related. I’d love to do my half to assist others experiencing this illness too,” he stated.
He closed off his assertion by thanking his spouse, Jessica Biel, and their sons. “To Jess, Silas, and Phin… nothing is extra highly effective than your unconditional love. You might be my coronary heart and my dwelling. I’m on my manner.”
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Miranda Hart
Picture Credit score: Picture by Anthony Harvey/Getty Pictures Miranda Hart wrote in her memoir I Haven’t Been Totally Sincere With You, she talked about having Lyme illness. Whereas on “The Graham Norton Show” alongside Selena Gomez, she thanked her for being so candid about her well being struggles throughout her Apple TV+ documentary, My Thoughts & Me.
“It’s extraordinary that I’m on the present with Selena, as a result of it makes me fairly emotional as a result of after I noticed your documentary on Apple about your sickness struggles, I used to be pondering, do I share? Is that this one thing I ought to do? As a result of it feels fairly susceptible sharing one thing that I’ve by no means carried out earlier than,” she stated. “And I watched your documentary, and I simply thought completely sure, and that’s what stored me writing.”
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Yolanda Hadid
Picture Credit score: Getty Pictures Yolanda Hadid was identified with a severe, neurological case of Lyme disease in 2012. On the time, a specialist discovered proof of an energetic an infection in her mind.
Within the years since, the Actual Housewives of Beverly Hills alum has undergone quite a few procedures to alleviate Lyme signs like mind fog, fatigue, and migraines. Her signs had been so debilitating, she as soon as contemplated demise by suicide.
Hadid chronicled her arduous well being journey in her 2017 memoir, Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease. Extra not too long ago, the truth TV persona revealed that she suffered a “Lyme relapse” following the demise of her mom in 2021.
“After the lack of my mom I actually struggled with melancholy adopted by a lyme relapse…. the emotional stress and grief strongly effected my immune system,” she wrote to her 3.8 million Instagram followers. “[I’m] studying to give attention to myself, my well being journey and being current on this second of my life.”
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Bella Hadid
Picture Credit score: Getty Pictures Bella Hadid, Yolanda’s daughter, additionally contracted the tick-borne sickness in 2012. As Elle reported, the supermodel was simply 16 years previous when she started experiencing signs like issue strolling, joint ache, and nausea.
Though Bella has realized the right way to stay with Lyme, she nonetheless experiences signs like swelling, fatigue, and nervousness. In a candid Tiktok post from March, Bella obtained actual about why she hates “trying within the mirror or taking photos, particularly recently.”
“Once I’m working lots, [fashion week], careworn and so forth. (aka at all times) my pores and skin modifications color, I get away randomly, I get (what appears like) lesions, lethargy, power nervousness, zero motivation or objective, leaky intestine, adrenals, [depression],” she defined.
“Years and years of this. If I’m all dolled up possibly I’ll strive for the ladies, however man is it arduous to do that as your occupation whereas additionally feeling/trying sick like this,” Bella continued.
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Shania Twain
Picture Credit score: Getty Pictures for CMT Shania Twain got here down with Lyme illness in 2003 after she was bitten by tick whereas horseback driving. She opened up in regards to the harrowing expertise in her 2022 Netflix documentary, Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl.
“My signs had been fairly scary as a result of earlier than I used to be identified, I used to be on stage very dizzy,” the nation music famous person revealed within the doc, per Vanity Fair. “I used to be shedding my stability, I used to be afraid I used to be gonna fall off the stage… I used to be having these very, very, very millisecond blackouts, however often, each minute or each 30 seconds.”
Lyme additionally affected Twain’s voice. For years, she thought she’d “misplaced [her] voice endlessly” and would by no means sing once more. Fortunately, the “Man! I Really feel Like a Girl!” singer now has a “grip” on her signs and is making music once more.
“I’ve a special voice now, however I personal it,” Twain added. “I like my voice now.”
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Debbie Gibson
Picture Credit score: Getty Pictures 80s pop sensation Debbie Gibson first began experiencing Lyme illness signs in 2013, together with meals sensitivities, fatigue, migraines, and again ache. It took her 9 months to get a analysis, telling People in 2021, “I’ve come to a spot the place I’ve realized to anticipate the surprising with my well being, however I do know I can get by way of it. And each time I get by way of it, I’m reminded of how sturdy all of us are.”
As of 2023, Gibson was feeling assured in how she manages her signs. “ I’ve realized the right way to overcome,” she informed People. “I’ve by no means stated I’m fighting Lyme [disease], I say I’m overcoming Lyme. So, I’ve actually overcome lots and I simply stay diligent and consumed with my physique and my thoughts and it’s working … I went from not even having the ability to get away from bed and stroll to doing 60 concert events this previous 12 months.”
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Alec Baldwin
Picture Credit score: Getty Pictures Alec Baldwin was first bitten by tick 20 years in the past, which left him bedridden with chilly sweats and soreness.
“August of 1 summer season I used to be standing on my pal’s porch at night time, and it was a cool night — it wasn’t a sizzling, steamy night — and I felt actually this wave go over my again and over my shoulders and type of wrap round me like a chill,” the 30 Rock star stated of his preliminary an infection in a 2021 podcast interview. “And I obtained simply attacked. It got here like somebody snapped their fingers and put a spell on me.”
Baldwin has since skilled further tick bites. To this present day, he offers with lingering Lyme signs like “inexplicable” joint ache.
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Riley Keough
Picture Credit score: Karwai Tang/WireImage through Getty Pictures Riley Keough revealed she has Lyme illness in a 2023 Vanity Fair cowl story, sharing that she was in Switzerland to “attempt to see if I can alleviate it a bit.” The Daisy Jones and the Six star was visiting a “holistic therapy middle” that she stated provided therapies “you’ll be able to’t actually do in America but, like cleansing your blood.”
Keough added that, whereas she will carry kids, her Lyme illness led her to have her daughter through surrogate. “[I]t felt like the only option for what I had occurring bodily with the autoimmune stuff,” she stated.
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Fletcher
Picture Credit score: STEVEN FERDMAN/AFP through Getty Pictures American singer Fletcher introduced in September 2023 that she’d been identified with Lyme illness and that the illness had been affecting her well being and vocal cords, forcing her to postpone excursions in Europe and Australia. “I began turning into more and more in poor health during the last couple years and simply stored pushing although I knew there was one thing deeper occurring,” she wrote on Instagram. “Lyme has affected me in quite a lot of methods and whereas it has not solely taken an incredible toll on my bodily physique, it has additionally brought on concern for my voice as nicely.”
The “Bitter” singer vowed to carry out for followers “larger and higher… and most significantly, stronger than ever subsequent 12 months.”
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Avril Lavigne
Picture Credit score: Getty Pictures for MTV/Paramount G Avril Lavigne’s Lyme illness signs left her bedridden for the higher a part of two years, the singer-songwriter revealed in a 2018 cowl story for Billboard magazine.
“I’m achy, I’m fatigued, I can’t get the f*ck away from bed — what the f*ck is incorrect with me?” Lavigne recalled of her early days battling the tick-borne sickness. Her extreme fatigue prompted her to hunt medical consideration, however it nonetheless took years for docs to precisely diagnose her.
Lavigne’s signs had been so debilitating, she was compelled to take a break from making music. It wasn’t till 2018 that she lastly felt wholesome sufficient to jot down and carry out once more.
“Having gone by way of the battle of my lifetime, I’m stronger than ever and looking out ahead to sharing my renewed voice and power for my life with my followers by way of this new music,” she wrote on her web site that 12 months, per TODAY.
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Justin Bieber
Picture Credit score: Getty Pictures for The Met Museum/ Justin Bieber first opened up about his Lyme analysis in 2020. On the time, the pop singer was fielding many disparaging feedback about his look.
“Whereas lots of people stored saying Justin Bieber appears to be like like shit, on meth and so forth. they failed to comprehend I’ve been not too long ago identified with Lyme illness, not solely that however had a critical case of power mono which affected my, pores and skin, mind operate, power, and total well being,” Bieber wrote on Instagram, per CNN.
“It’s been a tough couple years,” he added on the time, “however [I’m] getting the best therapy that may assist deal with this to this point incurable illness and I might be again and higher than ever.”
Bieber later detailed the “scary signs” he endured in a 10-part autobiographical YouTube series referred to as Seasons.
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Amy Schumer
Picture Credit score: Getty Pictures for Paramount+ Amy Schumer revealed her Lyme analysis in a lighthearted Instagram post from 2020, which featured a throwback pic of the actress and comic as a toddler.
“My first ever fishing pole,” Schumer wrote to her 12.9 million followers. “Anybody get LYME this summer season? I obtained it and I’m on doxycycline. I’ve possibly had it for years. Any recommendation? Can you’ve a glass of wine or 2 on it? I do know to remain out of the solar.”
She signed off her put up on a extra critical word: “I additionally need to say that I really feel good and am excited to eliminate it.”
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Ben Stiller
Picture Credit score: Michael Buckner/Selection through Getty Pictures Ben Stiller revealed he suffered from Lyme illness in 2011, telling The Hollywood Reporter that he contracted the ailments in Nantucket, MA, just a few years earlier. “My knee grew to become infected and so they couldn’t determine what it was, then they came upon it was Lyme,” the Zoolander star stated on the time. “I’m symptom-free now, however Lyme doesn’t ever depart your system. It’s a very powerful factor.”
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Kelly Osbourne
Picture Credit score: Gilbert Flores/Billboard through Getty Pictures Kelly Osbourne suffered from undiagnosed Lyme illness for years, taking a number of prescription painkillers to deal with the ache. It took a tripe to another drugs practitioner for Osbourne to lastly study that Lyme illness was behind her signs, which included all the things from a sore throat and stomachaches to a seizure in 2013. “I had stage III neurological Lyme illness,” Osbourne wrote in her 2017 memoir, There Is No F*cking Secret, per US Weekly. “I used to be relieved to lastly know what was occurring,” she continued, “however I used to be additionally scared s—tless.”
Osbourne started stem cell remedy to “strengthen my immune system so my physique may battle off and eliminate the illness by itself,” which she described as a “extra full and lasting remedy” than antibiotics. “I used to be experiencing feelings and emotions once more,” Osbourne recalled of her time receiving therapy. “I’d been in a diseased and doctor-approved drug-induced haze for thus lengthy that I didn’t know what it was prefer to be pleased or unhappy or in ache.”
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Alexis Ohanian
Picture Credit score: Jesse Grant/Sportico through Getty Pictures Tech govt and Mr. Serena Williams himself, Alexis Ohanian, revealed a shock Lyme illness analysis on X in July 2024. “Doing a full battery of well being scans, checks, and so forth, and came upon I’ve lyme illness,” he wrote on the platform. “Wild.” Ohanian defined that he wasn’t experiencing any signs however was nonetheless planning to get handled.
Ohanian went on to clarify {that a} cherished one had had the illness just a few years in the past, who confirmed “tons [of] signs… simply couldn’t determine it out till they examined him for it after which discovered it (handled it efficiently, too).” Ohanian additionally famous that he doesn’t spend a lot time within the wilderness or the northeast, the place ticks are frequent, so “this was fairly a shock,” he stated. “Anyway, gonna seize some antibiotics — can’t hold me down, tick!”
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Parker Posey
Picture Credit score: Getty Pictures When Parker Posey first skilled crimson flags of Lyme illness in 2009, her signs compelled her to withdraw from a starring role in a Playwrights Horizons’ manufacturing of This.
The beloved indie movie actress has stored her well being journey pretty personal, though she did speak out in 2009 about how holistic interventions helped ease her signs after present process a course of antibiotics for Lyme.
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Ramona Singer
Picture Credit score: Gilbert Flores/WWD through Getty Pictures Actual Housewives of New York Metropolis star Ramona Singer shared her Lyme illness analysis with followers in 2020. Singer informed E! News that she’d began feeling unwell round Valentine’s Day of that 12 months and visited a health care provider for a full blood panel. The outcomes led to a Lyme illness analysis, and Singer began taking an antibiotic for signs.
“You could get examined annually, particularly in case you’re in an space the place there are deer,” stated Singer, who believes she picked up a tick chew within the Hamptons. Fortuitously, she added, “We caught it early and I’m very fortunate and really blessed.”
