American singer, Justin Timberlake has revealed he is living with Lyme disease.
The singer-songwriter and actor shared the diagnosis with his fans in an Instagram post on Thursday as he reflected on the conclusion of his two-year Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
“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,” Timberlake wrote.
JT who shares two sons with wife Jessica Biel, wrote that he hesitated to share his diagnosis but decided to do so in hopes of being more transparent with his fans.
“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,” Timberlake wrote. “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. I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out. I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going.”
Lyme disease is a tick-borne infectious disease that, if left untreated, can affect the joints, heart and nervous system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.