Pop star Justin Timberlake diagnosed with ‘debilitating’ Lyme disease

Singer Justin Timberlake says that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease. 

He made the revelation in an Instagram post, referring to the illness as “debilitating.”

Take a look:

 

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A post shared by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake)

“Something from the heart”

In the message, Timberlake reveals that he has been “battling some health issues.”

“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,” he wrote.

Timberlake continued:

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.

The star goes on to say that he was faced with the decision of whether or not to stop touring, due to the illness.

“I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going,” he wrote.

Lyme disease basics

For those unfamiliar with Lyme disease, it is an illness often carried by ticks.

The Mayor Clinic explains:

Lyme disease is an illness caused by borrelia bacteria. Humans usually get Lyme disease from the bite of a tick carrying the bacteria. Ticks that can carry borrelia bacteria live throughout most of the United States. But Lyme disease is most common in the upper Midwest and the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states. It’s also common in Europe and in south central and southeastern Canada.

ABC News reports, “Most cases of Lyme disease can be effectively treated with a 10- to 14-day course of antibiotics.”

“However,” the outlet continues, “in some cases, prolonged symptoms may persist after treatment, including fatigue, body aches, and difficulty with concentration or memory. This condition is sometimes referred to as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome, or PTLDS.”

Timberlake did not go into the details of his specific case. He neither provided more details about the specific diagnosis nor the details about what steps have been taken to treat the illness. Timberlake received a lot of support on social media following the revelation of his diagnosis, including support from his wife, Jessica Biel.