Early diagnosis can lead to easier and more successful treatment for Lyme disease, a condition that can cause a range of debilitating symptoms and even secondary conditions if left untreated. Misdiagnoses, however, are tragically common.
While the condition is rarely fatal, especially when treated early, it remains a serious illness. It can lead to neurological complications, heart issues or even arthritis.
Ren Gill, 35, has been one of the most open stars about his battle with Lyme disease. After an eight-year hiatus due to his deteriorating health, he released his second album, Sick Boi, in 2023 detailing his symptoms, struggle for treatment and gripes with the medical industry in its titular track.
The singer, originally from Bangor, was signed to Sony Records as a teenager. However, his health problems began soon after, culminating in him vomiting blood between takes in the studio.
What he thought would be a brief return to his mother’s house for recovery turned into years of seeking answers and treatment worldwide. The Money Game singer was eventually correctly diagnosed with autoimmunity, Lyme disease and brain damage, after years of being misdiagnosed and treated for depression, bipolar disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome.
This is unfortunately a common reality for Lyme disease patients, with only around a quarter of patients accurately diagnosed according to a 2019 study. Patients are often misdiagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia due to the overlap in symptoms with Lyme disease. However, the key difference is that Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks.
Certain regions of England, such as the grassy or wooded areas of southern England and the Scottish Highlands, are more high risk to ticks with this bacteria, according to NHS advice. Although not all ticks carry the bacteria, it’s still advisable to safely remove any ticks as soon as possible.
Consequently, one of the earliest and most distinctive signs of Lyme disease is a circular or oval-shaped rash around the site of a tick bite. This rash can appear up to three months after the bite and can persist for several weeks.
The rash is typically not hot or itchy but does have a differently shaded centre and may gradually expand. On lighter skin, it might appear pink or red, while on darker skin, it could resemble a bruise.
Flu-like symptoms in the days or weeks following the bite are also common, including fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, and loss of energy. For some individuals, these symptoms can persist for years even after treatment, and medical professionals are not entirely sure why.
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