Most recently, Justin Timberlake shared a lengthy social media post on Thursday (31 July) sharing that he too had been diagnosed.
He wrote: “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.”
Timberlake explained that he struggled with ‘massive amounts of nerve pain’ and ‘crazy fatigue and sickness,’ which led him to get checked out.
The illness we’re talking about, of course, is Lyme disease – a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks.
Six years ago, Bieber was suffering from extreme bouts of fatigue, leading him to undergo a series of medical tests.
Just a few weeks later, he was delivered the devastating news that he had contracted the illness, and it was to blame for the way he was feeling.
In the months prior to the announcement, the ‘Daisies’ singer came under vast health speculation, with false rumours swirling that he had a drug problem.
This was because the internet jumped to conclusions after seeing images of the star looking unwell with blotches on his skin.
Taking to Instagram to shut down the speculation, he told his followers: “While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like s**t, on meth etc. they failed to realise I’ve been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my, skin, brain function, energy, and overall health.”
He added: “It’s been a rough couple years but [I’m] getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever.”
At the time, he said he was getting ‘the right treatment’ and then in 2020 went on to release a documentary called The Dark Season about his struggles and time away from music.
“So, I’ve been struggling with my energy for quite some time now, and I just haven’t known why,” he told a doctor in the programme.
He then added: “I realised after a series of tests that I have what’s called Lyme disease, which is a super silent disease that’s not really very well known. It’s very hard for doctors to test for it.”
Also speaking in the doc, Dr Erica Lehman – one of the Bieber’s physicians at the time and an expert in thee condition – explained: “Lyme disease is the fastest growing bacterial infection in the United States right now.
“We know that it can cause a whole spectrum of neuropsychiatric symptoms – mood changes, irritability, depression, anxiety.
“Justin fits the picture of these symptoms.”