Billie Shepherd, the former TOWIE star, has opened up about her secret battle with Lyme disease, which left her bedridden and in excruciating pain. The 35-year-old, who returns to TV with sister Samantha Faiers in ITV's Sam And Billie: Sister Act, described the experience as 'horrendous'.
She first noticed symptoms in January, waking up with severe pain in her elbows and arms. The pain quickly spread across her body, leaving her unable to get out of bed. Despite multiple doctor visits and blood tests, it took two months to diagnose Lyme disease, a bacterial infection typically caused by a tick bite.
Billie suffered from reactive arthritis, extreme fatigue, and painful red lumps on her legs. She relied on her husband Greg, sister Sam, and mother Suzanne for daily care, even needing help to use the toilet. 'I was hysterical, crying, because I was in so much pain,' she recalled.
Doctors believe she was bitten by an infected tick up to three years ago, with the infection lying dormant until her immune system weakened after bouts of tonsillitis. Antibiotics and steroids failed to help, but she began to improve after consulting a holistic doctor and taking natural medicines.
Billie also discussed the challenge of explaining her illness to her children, Nelly, 11, Arthur, eight, and Margot, two. She credited her family's support and said she is slowly recovering, though she remains cautious about her health.
