The 41-year-old former star of 'The Real Housewives of New York City' has taken to her Instagram account to reveal that she has been diagnosed with Lyme disease.
- May 17, 2024
AceShowbiz - Leah McSweeney, 41, shared her recent test results on Instagram, expressing her shock at the diagnosis. "I'm shook," she wrote, requesting success stories from those who have overcome Lyme. McSweeney clarified that her infection is a new one, not chronic, indicating a recent bite from a tick carrying Borrelia bacteria.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. Early symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans, appearing as a bullseye around the bite. If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.
Despite antibiotic treatment, some patients may experience prolonged symptoms of fatigue, body aches, or cognitive difficulties, a condition sometimes referred to as chronic Lyme disease. However, its existence remains debated.
McSweeney admitted to canceling plans with friends in recent months due to her illness. She also shared a photo of numerous vials of blood from the extensive testing she has undergone, wryly captioning it, "Everything is great."
The former Bravo star is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the network and executive producer Andy Cohen, alleging discrimination and a hostile work environment. She previously suffered health issues during filming in Thailand, collapsing from dehydration and requiring hospitalization.
Other notable reality stars have also been diagnosed with Lyme disease, including Yolanda Hadid, who struggled with the "invisible disease" for a decade and authored the book "Believe Me" about her experience. Her daughter Bella and son Anwar have also been diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease.
Hadid characterized Lyme disease as an "invisible disability," emphasizing that sufferers often appear healthy on the outside. She expressed concern that many people doubt the existence of chronic Lyme disease, believing that compassion is more readily extended to individuals with visible symptoms.
