A mother has revealed the ‘hell’ of living with tick-borne Lyme disease, just hours after singer Justin Timberlake announced he was diagnosed with the disease.
Kirstie Haysman, from Watford in Hertfordshire, was left housebound after being struck down by the serious bacterial infection in 2015.
But it was only after her symptoms continued to worsen and an acquaintance suggested in 2023 she may have Lyme disease, that she began researching the condition.
The 36-year-old was left ‘shocked’ when weeks later tests results came back positive and she was immediately put on antibiotics.
Now, she has detailed how the condition has left her severely fatigued and in a wheelchair, while also paying tribute to US star Timberlake and his ‘heartbreaking’ diagnosis.
The Cry Me A River singer revealed yesterday he was also ‘shocked’ to be told he had Lyme disease but that it explained why he ‘would be on stage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness’.
The 44-year-old shared his diagnosis on Instagram following the conclusion of his Forget Tomorrow world tour.
Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection usually contracted after being bitten by a tick, causing flu-like symptoms which can last for a few weeks, but for reasons not yet understood, some patients suffer for years.
Kirstie Haysman, from Watford in Hertfordshire, was left housebound after being struck down by the bacterial infection in 2015
But it was only after her symptoms continued to worsen and an acquaintance suggested in 2023 she may have Lyme disease, that she began researching the condition
Justin Timberlake revealed yesterday that he was ‘shocked’ to be told he had Lyme disease but that it explained why he ‘would be on stage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness’
The disease has seen an upsurge in prevalence across swathes of the US, and whilst latest figures show cases have fallen in the UK, experts warn the number of confirmed cases is likely an underestimate of the true burden of the disease.
Ms Haysman, who is now unable to work, said: ‘[Lyme disease] is a devastating diagnosis and our hearts really do go out to him.
‘I’m sure Justin is realising now that it affects everything—it’s your nervous system, your joints and chronic fatigue.
‘The chronic fatigue especially is something you can’t even fathom until you’re in it.
Ms Haysman said she first began experiencing symptoms in 2015 and was initially diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
But her health continued to deteriorate and claimed her hands became ‘disfigured’, leaving her with painful swollen joints and unable to pick things up.
Following further tests she was told that long-term use of steroids had led to her bones deteriorating—with one rheumatologist even telling her she had ‘the bones of a 70-year-old’.
It was only in January 2023 that an acquaintance suggested the ex-beauty queen might be suffering with Lyme disease and Ms Haysman began researching the condition.
Kirstie Haysman, 34, competed in Miss Great Britain and Miss London City pageants, and was crowned Miss Hertfordshire in 2015
Ms Haysman said she first began experiencing symptoms in 2015 and was initially diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis
She travelled to Mexico for blood tests specifically for Lyme disease in February and was left shocked when the results came back positive.
After returning to the UK she said she was prescribed three different antibiotics on a 12-month course and has also used herbal remedies to try to combat the illness.
While Lyme disease is not inherited or cannot be passed down from parents to children, Ms Haysman decided to get her 13-year-old daughter, Harriet, tested.
Test results in July 2024 showed she was also positive.
The secondary school student now struggles with ‘seizure-like’ blackouts and extreme fatigue.
‘It’s hellish, to be honest,’ Ms Haysman said.
‘Once you’ve got Lyme disease chronically, you have to live with it for the rest of your life, it doesn’t go away.
‘It affects us both differently—while mine has left me in a wheelchair, Harriet’s is very neurological.
Getting rid of a tick from your own skin is crucial to avoid the risk of infection, or contracting other diseases including Lyme disease. The NHS has a four-step routine to help safely spot and remove ticks
After returning to the UK she said she was prescribed three different antibiotics on a 12-month course and has also used herbal remedies to try to combat the illness
‘She experiences blackouts, almost like seizures, and migraines which means she often has to sit in a dark room in school to recover.
‘If she has something like sports day, she’ll be bedridden for days afterwards.’
Speaking about Timberlake’s diagnosis, Ms Hayman added: ‘It’s devastating for him, and we’re heartbroken.
‘There’s no positive spin—it’s a terrible thing to live with.’
In a post on Instagram yesterday, Timberlake said: ‘When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure.
‘But, at least I could understand why I would be on stage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.’
His diagnosis came whilst he was on tour, which kicked off in April 2024, and has seen him face criticism on social media for ‘lackluster’ performances.
More recently, fans have speculated that he looked more tired than usual and could be suffering ill health.
In a post on Instagram yesterday, Timberlake said: ‘When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be on stage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness’
His diagnosis came whilst he was on tour, which kicked off in April 2024, and has seen him face criticism on social media for ‘lackluster’ performances
Lyme disease can be tricky to diagnose, a tell-tale bulls-eye rash may not appear in all people and the broad flu-like symptoms can also be caused by a variety of other conditions
Mr Timberlake addressed the comments in his post, saying: ‘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.’
He added: ‘I was reluctant to talk about this because I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself.
‘But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren’t misinterpreted.’
Addressing his fans he added: ‘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.’
The first sign of the disease, which is also found in the UK and Europe, is a tell-tale bullseye rash that develops where the person was bitten, but this only appears on some people.
This rash can appear up to three months after the bite.
Sufferers then develop general flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, headache, swollen joints and a fever, which can last for a few weeks.
The delay between the bite, the rash which may not appear and the broad symptoms which could belong to a variety of other conditions, means patients can struggle to get a diagnosis.
Two blood tests that can diagnose Lyme disease are available, but the NHS warns they can be unreliable in the early stages of the disease.
A course of antibiotics is typically enough to treat most Lyme disease patients, though the process can take several weeks.
However, for reasons scientists are still exploring, some people with the disease can suffer ongoing symptoms for years.
The NHS warns that, as this form of the disease is still not understood, there is no agreed upon treatment.