Avril Lavigne says she has been suffering from Lyme disease.

The singer revealed in recent months that she had been struck down by a mystery illness.

Speaking to People, the Canadian confirmed that she felt like she was "dying" as she battled Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection spread by ticks.

Lavigne said: "I could barely eat, and when we went to the pool, I had to leave and go lie in bed. My friends asked, 'What's wrong?' I didn't know.

"I had no idea a bug bite could do this. I was bedridden for five months. I felt like I couldn't breathe, I couldn't talk and I couldn't move. I thought I was dying."

The musician added: "There were definitely times I couldn't shower for a full week because I could barely stand. It felt like having all your life sucked out of you.

Lavigne said that she feels "80 percent better" and has been "deeply touched" by her fans' well-wishing.

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