Justin Timberlake reveals he has Lyme disease: "It can be debilitating."

Justin Timberlake recently wrapped his Forget Tomorrow world tour, which kicked off in April 2024. The artist, who received some criticism from fans who found his performance at several shows disappointing , revealed that he has Lyme disease and considered canceling the tour, but is glad he went ahead.

"Among other things, I've been battling some health issues and have been diagnosed with Lyme disease—not to make you feel bad for me—but to shed some light on what I've been dealing with behind the scenes," the American singer and actor wrote on his Instagram account.

Thus, the singer addressed those who have suffered from the disease . "You know, living with it can be relentlessly debilitating , both mentally and physically," Timberlake continues, before recalling that when he was diagnosed, he was "shocked," although at least he could understand "why I was on stage and had this massive nerve pain or just felt this crazy fatigue or malaise."

"I was faced with a personal decision. Should I stop touring? Or go ahead and figure it out. I decided the joy of performing far outweighed the temporary stress my body felt," the artist notes, expressing his joy at having chosen to continue.

The singer also admits that he was "reluctant" to talk about the topic, as he was always raised "to keep something like that to himself ." "But I'm trying to be more transparent about my struggles so they're not misinterpreted," he explains, sharing his hope that "we can all find a way to be more connected " and be able to do our "bit to help other people who suffer from this disease."

What is Lyme disease?

According to the Mayo Clinic, Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia and is contracted through a tick bite. Symptoms, which include a skin rash , neck pain and stiffness, fever, muscle and joint aches , extreme fatigue , and swollen lymph nodes, usually appear within the first three to 30 days of the bite and sometimes come and go over the years.

Patients treated with antibiotics in the first few weeks of infection usually recover quickly and completely, while those treated in more advanced stages may suffer long-term damage to the nervous system or joints .

Aside from Timberlake, other artists have revealed they suffer from this disease in recent years, such as Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne, and Shania Twain. It is a considerably common condition in certain parts of the northeastern United States due to the high presence of black-legged ticks .