Shania Twain’s ‘scary’ symptoms after contracting ‘devastating’ illness.

Country music queen Shania Twain once feared her career was over after contracting an illness that damaged her vocal cords. The 58-year-old superstar recalled the “depressing and devastating” achievement after being told he may never perform again after contracting Lyme disease and undergoing open throat surgery .

Shania contracted the tick-borne disease in 2003 while on a horseback ride, and her voice was affected by the effects of dysphonia – the term used to refer to voice disorders that present as a hoarse, weak, breathable or strained – as a result. The bacterial infection is spread to humans by infected ticks and can cause an oval-shaped rash and flu-like symptoms days to weeks after being bitten.

More serious symptoms can occur if left untreated or not treated early according to the NHS, including joint pain and swelling and nerve problems such as numbness or pain in the limbs. In her Netflix documentary, Not Just a Girl, Shania explained how she suffered “scary” symptoms after contracting the disease on a horse ride. “The tick was infected with Lyme disease and I got Lyme disease,” she said.

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“My symptoms were quite scary because before I was diagnosed, I was very dizzy on stage. I was losing my balance, I was afraid I was going to fall off the stage… I was having these very, very, very millisecond interruptions, but regularly, every minute or every 30 seconds.”

She added: “My voice has never been the same. I thought I had lost my voice forever. I thought that was it, (and) I would never, ever sing again.”

Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine last year, Shania discussed her health while promoting her latest album Queen of Me, which is her first album since open throat surgery.

The Canadian singer said: “It was quite depressing and devastating to imagine that (not being able to sing again). Even speaking was difficult with Lyme disease.

“Now I feel so grateful to be able to sing and express myself. And now this is my first album since the surgery on my voice.”

Touching on the scary medical procedure, she said: “You have to be awake while they do it. I was more afraid of never singing again than going through the surgery.

“The reason you have to be awake for the operation is because you have to sing during it so they know exactly what to do.”