Shania Twain, the global country-pop icon known for hits like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” and “You’re Still the One,” faced a deeply personal and unexpected challenge that nearly ended her singing career: Lyme disease.
Her story is one of resilience, heartbreak, and adaptation—and it sheds light on how Lyme disease can manifest in rare but life-altering ways.
📺 Interview reference:
https://youtu.be/BQBqpHCKi-4
A Tick Bite That Changed Everything
In the early 2000s, at the height of her career, Twain was on tour when she was bitten by a tick. Unbeknownst to her at the time, the bite transmitted Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease. Like many patients, she did not immediately connect the bite to the symptoms that followed. It was only as those symptoms progressed that she realized something was seriously wrong.
The Sudden Onset of Neurological Symptoms
Soon after the tick bite, Twain began experiencing troubling neurologic symptoms. She described episodes of dizziness, blackouts, disorientation, and persistent headaches that were difficult to explain or predict. These symptoms were alarming but nonspecific—the kind that can easily be dismissed, minimized, or misattributed in the early stages of illness.
Neurologic involvement in Lyme disease is well recognized and may include headaches, dizziness, cognitive changes, and other nervous system symptoms, as outlined by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:
https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease
In many patients, these neurologic symptoms do not immediately point to a tick-borne infection, particularly when the connection between a tick bite and later neurologic changes is not yet obvious. In Twain’s case, however, the symptoms did not resolve. Instead, they progressed—eventually leading to the most devastating consequence of all: the loss of control over her voice.
Dysphonia: When Lyme Disease Affects the Voice
One of the most unusual complications Twain developed was dysphonia, a neurologic condition affecting the muscles that control the vocal cords. In her case, those muscles weakened and began to spasm, leaving her unable to sing—or even speak—normally.
She described her voice as feeling “squeezed” and “strained.” Notes she once reached effortlessly became nearly impossible. Vocal cord spasms disrupted clarity, pitch, and power. For someone whose identity and livelihood were so closely tied to her voice, this loss was devastating. Twain was forced to step away from the spotlight just as her career was soaring.
Although dysphonia is not commonly listed as a typical symptom of Lyme disease, her experience illustrates how neurologic Lyme disease can disrupt fine motor control, muscle coordination, and nerve signaling—sometimes affecting areas of the body rarely associated with tick-borne illness, such as the vocal apparatus.
Twain’s experience reflects the broader reality that Lyme disease can affect the nervous system in diverse and sometimes unexpected ways.
A Long Road Through Therapy and Surgery
Twain spent years in vocal therapy, working to regain control of her voice. When improvement plateaued, she ultimately underwent open-throat surgery—an extraordinary and high-risk step for any professional singer.
The procedure allowed partial recovery, but her voice was permanently changed. She had to relearn how to sing, adapt her technique, and accept a different vocal range and tone. She has spoken openly about the emotional toll of this loss, describing it as losing a part of herself. Yet through determination, medical intervention, and ongoing training, she eventually returned to the stage and studio.
A Comeback Built on Strength
Twain’s comeback has not been simple—but it has been inspiring. While her voice is different from its earlier years, she continues to record new music, perform live, and connect with audiences around the world. Her journey stands as a testament to perseverance and a powerful example of how Lyme disease can profoundly alter—but not define—a person’s life.
The Takeaway: Lyme Disease Can Be Unpredictable
Shania Twain’s experience highlights how Lyme disease can present in unexpected ways. While many people associate Lyme with fatigue, joint pain, or rashes, it can also lead to neurologic complications that affect quality of life in profound and sometimes rare ways. In her case, Lyme disease disrupted the fine muscle coordination required for vocal performance—something few people imagine when they think of a tick bite.
For some patients, neurologic symptoms may persist or evolve long after initial infection, a pattern discussed further in Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).
This case is presented for educational purposes and does not suggest that voice disorders are a common or expected manifestation of Lyme disease.
For additional patient-centered education on neurologic symptoms and long-term impact, resources from LymeDisease.org may be helpful:
Frequently Asked Question
Can Lyme disease affect the voice?
Voice changes are not a typical or common symptom of Lyme disease. However, because Lyme can involve the nervous system, rare cases may affect motor control or muscle coordination in unexpected ways. Symptoms involving speech or voice should always prompt careful neurologic evaluation and consideration of other causes.
Final Thoughts
Shania Twain’s battle with Lyme disease reveals how complex and personal this illness can be. Facing a career-altering neurologic complication, she adapted rather than disappeared. Her story is not only about loss—it is about resilience, recalibration, and hope for anyone navigating chronic illness.Just tell me the next step.
