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Getty Images<\/p>\nAndr\u00e9 Rhoden-Paul<\/p>\n
BBC News<\/p>\n
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Justin Timberlake has revealed he is living with Lyme disease.<\/p>\n
The 44-year-old said he was “shocked” to receive the diagnosis but it explained why he “would be on stage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness”. <\/p>\n
The Cry Me A River singer shared his diagnosis on Instagram following the conclusion of his Forget Tomorrow world tour.<\/p>\n
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. A few people diagnosed and treated for the disease can continue to have symptoms, like tiredness, aches and loss of energy, that can last for years.<\/p>\n
Timberlake said he was faced with the decision to stop his tour early but ultimately decided to keep going. <\/p>\n
Writing on Instagram<\/a> on Thursday, he said: “As many of you know, I’m a pretty private person. But as I’m reflecting on the tour and festival tour – I want to tell you a little bit about what’s going on with me.<\/p>\n “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. <\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n According to America’s Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC), patients treated with antibiotics in the early stages of the infection usually recover quickly and completely. <\/p>\n It adds most patients treated in later stages respond well to antibiotics, but some may have suffered long-term damage to the nervous system or joints.<\/p>\n Justin Bieber, Shania Twain and Avril Lavigne are among other singers to have struggled with Lyme disease. <\/p>\n ‘Trying to be more transparent about struggles’<\/p>\n But Timberlake said the “joy that performing brings” outweighed the stress his body was feeling and he was “glad I kept going”. <\/p>\n His two-year world tour, which started in April 2024, concluded in Turkey on Wednesday. <\/p>\n “Not only did I prove my mental tenacity to myself but, I now have so many special moments with all of you that I will never forget,” he said, adding he was trying to be “more transparent” about his struggles so “they aren’t misinterpreted” .<\/p>\n The star had come in for criticism from some fans on social media for underwhelming performances. <\/p>\n Timberlake’s diagnosis follows a turbulent few years. <\/p>\n In September 2024 he pleaded guilty to bring driving while impaired <\/a>as part of a plea deal to bring his drink-driving case to an end. <\/p>\n “This is a mistake I have made, but I hope whoever is watching and listening right now can learn from this. I know I certainly have,” he said at the time. <\/p>\n The singer has also faced backlash after details about his relationship with ex-girlfriend Britney Spears were revealed in her memoir<\/a> and a separate Britney Spears documentary<\/a>. <\/p>\n Timberlake, who fronted boy band NSYNC, has earned 10 Grammys as a solo artist and is one of the best-selling record artists of all time. <\/p>\n He is married to actress Jessica Biel.<\/p>\n