Celebrity News April 18, 2014
Debbie Gibson Blames Extreme Weight Loss on Terrifying Battle with Disease
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Singer Debbie Gibson captured unwanted attention earlier this month when she took the stage in Chile looking gaunt.
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Now, she's opening up to fans on her website, explaining her extreme weight loss is actually due to a terrifying battle with Lyme disease.
The '90s star wrote, "Last year, I was diagnosed with Lyme disease. It is an elusive disease that disguises itself as many other things, and creates a lot of pain and discomfort.”
Other problems stemmed from the lack of diagnosis. The symptoms started with food sensitivities, and Gibson switched to a very restricted diet, which caused her to lose weight.
Shedding pounds so quickly caused deep lines on her face, so she turned to Botox. “Both the trauma of the needles and the toxin itself wreaked havoc on my physical and mental state. I will never put this or any other toxin into my body for vanity reasons again."
The “Electric Youth” singer added, "Five days after the treatment, I was texting my boyfriend and he noticed I was mixing up my words. I had trouble with directions and driving. I was terrified.”
Gibson eventually found a "Lyme-literate doctor" who was able to help.
"I remember sitting in his office, despondent," she revealed. "'I am in here somewhere,' I said through tears. By this point, my cognitive thinking had been affected… my sense of direction, sleep, moods, stamina, muscles and joints. And I had this sunken-in look and dark circles under my eyes." An intense round of antibiotics and medications are helping Debbie's body get back on track.
"I actually feel like me again," she said. "We all face challenges and I am learning much from the ones I am facing. No disease in the body can keep the spirit from soaring, the love from pouring, and nothing can stop the music!"