In her first TV appearance since her diagnosis on Good Morning America Monday, Avril Lavigne spoke candidly about the anguish she has faced while battling Lyme disease. I’m doing a lot better and seeing a lot of progress.
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Lavigne said she first began feeling ill last October. “I was seeing every specialist, and literally like the top doctors…”
“I felt like I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t talk and I couldn’t move”, she said.
The ‘Complicated’ singer fell ill and became bedridden in 2014 but it took eight months until doctors came up with a diagnosis, initially suggesting she had chronic fatigue syndrome.
Doctors asked Avril why she tries to get out of bed and play some piano or outdoors.
Lavigne credited her fans with helping her get through her health scare by posting videos and photos with wishes for her to get well soon. “Can you check me?'” she explained.
Speaking directly to those now suffering from the disease, the Sk8er Boi singer said: ‘There is hope.
“I want to go out there and truly do what I love, so I’m excited for life after this”.
Lyme disease can be contracted when an infected tick bites into your skin and feeds on your blood. And although there is small awareness about the illness, Avril said, “Lyme disease does exist”.
Lavigne, who was bedridden for multiple months but is about halfway through her treatment now, says she is doing much better. “And you can get better”.
Avril Lavigne isn’t the only member of her household who’s dealing with health issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports “infection can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system” if not treated.
Months after being diagnosed, Avril said that she is recovering through antibiotics and rest.
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The next big event on Lavigne’s professional calendar is a performance of her latest single, Fly, at the opening ceremonies of the 2015 Special Olympics on July 25 in Los Angeles. “It sounds silly saying it, but I really, truly, did feel my fans through the process”.
