Avril Lavigne Breaks Down In Tears On US TV In Interview About Her Lyme Disease Fight (VIDEO)
Avril Breaks Down On US TV During Interview About Illness
Matt Bagwell— The Huffington Post UK
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Avril Lavigne has given an emotional interview on US television as she shared an update on her health since being diagnosed with Lyme disease.
The 30-year-old singer broke down in tears during the chat with ‘Good Morning America’ as she talked about her debilitating illness for the first time on camera.
“This is my second shot at life,” she told interviewer Jesse Palmer.
“I'm about halfway through my treatment. I'm doing a lot better,” she said as tears rolled down her face.
“Seeing a lot of progress... I'm just really grateful to know that I will make [a] 100 percent recovery.”
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Avril Lavigne
The ‘Complicated’ singer was diagnosed with Lyme disease, a debilitating bacterial infection that comes from a tick bite, in 2013 and became bedridden for five months..
“I literally became bedridden last October,' she explained. “They would pull up their computer and be like, ‘Chronic fatigue syndrome’ or ‘Why don't you try to get out of bed, Avril, and just go play the piano?’ It's like, ‘Are you depressed?’ This went on and off for a month.”
The ‘Sk8ter Boi’ singer was eventually diagnosed with Lyme disease after seeking out a specialist.
“The thing is, when you're a specialist, you also really know the disease inside and out and you can diagnose their symptoms,' she said.
“There is hope. Lyme disease does exist. And you can get better,' she added.
“This is my second shot at life. I really just want to go out there and truly do what I love. So I'm so excited for life after this.
While anyone can get a tick bite, people who work outdoors or participate in outdoor activities are more likely to be in areas where ticks are found. Take precautions against tick bites while golfing, fishing, hiking, camping, and hunting, Health Canada advises.
Lyme Disease In Canada (03 of11)
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Overall, Lyme disease cases in Canada are increasing: the government reported 128 cases in 2009 and 682 in 2013. But while the incidence of Lyme disease is rising in some parts of the country, it's holding steady in others, says Dr. David Patrick, an infectious disease specialist at the University of British Columbia. “Canada is a whole bunch of different ecosystems,” hes says, which means there are many different environments for ticks. More Lyme is being seen in southern Nova Scotia and southern Ontario, he say, up to 50 per cent of ticks on the Niagara peninsula. By contrast, Lyme is only found in 1 in 200 ticks in British Columbia where this level has remained constant for some time.
Know Your Local Risk(04 of11)
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Because risk can vary so greatly across the country, it’s important to know what it’s like where you live, Patrick says. The Canadian government works with experts and public health organizations across the country to track tick populations and Lyme disease incidence.
Everyone Should Be Aware(05 of11)
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But everyone should be aware: “It doesn’t matter where you live,” Patrick says. “People should know about tick prevention.” While Lyme disease is the most common disease spread by ticks, others are a concern as well. And even if you live in an area with low incidence of Lyme disease, that doesn’t mean the individual tick that bit you doesn't have Lyme.
Preventing Lyme Disease(06 of11)
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If you are hiking in the woods or in an area known to have ticks, stick to the middle of the trail, Patrick advises. Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and consider using an insect repellent with DEET, he says. Afterwards, have someone help you do an allover tick check — the bites are painless, so you may have been bitten without realizing it.
Symptoms To Watch Out For(07 of11)
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If you’ve been bitten by a tick, watch for the symptoms of Lyme disease over the coming days or weeks. You may see a mark where you were bitten — many people say it has a bulls eye shape, round with a clearing in the centre. Patrick points out that the clearing may not be obvious. “If you have a rash after a tick bite, you want to see a doctor,” he says. Some people also experience fever, chills, tiredness, swollen lymph nodes, or fatigue after a tick bite. And if things progress, you could have more serious symptoms like sore joints, arthritis, heart rhythm issues, and nervous system issues. It’s uncommon, but Lyme disease can be fatal if left untreated.
How To Remove A Tick(08 of11)
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Blacklegged ticks can range in size from that of a poppyseed to a pea. If you do find a tick embedded under your skin, it’s important to remove it quickly and completely. With a pair of tweezers, grab the tick under the body, where the mouth connects to the skin, and pull it out steadily (get someone else to help if it’s too hard to reach by yourself). “What you’re trying to do is not leave the mouth parts behind,” Patrick says. Once the tick is removed, wash or disinfect the area.
Get The Tick Tested(09 of11)
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In most parts of the country you can get the tick tested for Lyme disease, Patrick notes. If you remove a tick, try to save it in a plastic bag or pill bottle and record the date and location of the bite. Ticks can be submitted to the National Microbiology Lab, which tests them to determine where in the country blacklegged ticks are being found and what the risk levels are.
Watch Out For Pets(10 of11)
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Pets can get Lyme disease — dogs are particularly at risk. However, animals like dogs cannot spread Lyme to humans, Health Canada says. However, pets can carry infected ticks into your home or yard, so check your animals, particularly if they’ve been in wooded or overgrown areas. (credit:shutterstock)
How To Treat Yourself(11 of11)
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Lyme disease is often treated with a two to four weeks of antibiotics, though some people require a longer course of treatment. “The recommended courses of antibiotics do a very good job of eliminating the organism,” Patrick says. However, for some people, symptoms can persist for six months or longer after treatment. Always speak to your doctor if you are concerned.