Former Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox celebrated the 39th anniversary of the release of the band’s album Sweet Dreams earlier this week, but she has faced a number of health issues in recent years
Annie Lennox, 70, achieved international fame thanks to her hit Sweet Dreams as part of the band Eurythmics, but has struggled with a number of health battles behind the scenes. She shot to fame with Dave Stewart in the 1980s but life after her success hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
The singer confessed that she had been dealing with complications from a surgery she underwent over a decade ago. A couple years later, Annie has now revealed she is neurodivergent after being recently diagnosed with ADHD.
She decided to open up on her diagnosis while on BBC Women’s Hour and she told presenter Nuala McGovern that she passed the test with flying colours. “I’m a magpie, I observe things, I’m highly sensitive,” Annie said on the BBC Radio 4 show.
READ MORE: Pop legend reveals new diagnosis as she gives disturbing ‘gates of hell’ warningREAD MORE: Eurythmics legend Dave Stewart creates history with huge accolade
“And I found out that I actually am a bit neurodivergent. And it’s explained a great deal to me about how my mind works and how other people with ADHD, how their mind works.
“It’s not an easy thing to live with but it’s also a superpower. I think it does bring brilliance – I’m not saying that I am brilliant, but I’ll take that!”
In 2019, Annie opened up to fans about her health as she revealed she had a back operation years before. “Over a decade ago I had to have a back operation and a lot of things changed after that,” she shared.
“Long story.. but I occasionally suffer from excruciating nerve pain, which comes in with vengeance when I least expect it.”, reports the Express. “It hit over New Year and I’m hoping it will settle down as I go into the 3rd day.”
A few days after her initial post, she revealed that she could no longer tour due to “such physical challenges”. It all started in 2008 at an AIDS conference in Mexico, when the singer experienced a back spasm.
Annie was quickly flown back to London for spinal surgery to relieve a trapped nerve, according to a spokesperson for Sony BMG. A trapped nerve, which can occur when excessive pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding muscles, bones, cartilage or tendons, often results in pain, tingling, numbness or weakness.
Despite undergoing surgery, she has been plagued with lingering pain. While recuperating, the star shared on her blog: “Got an MRI scan this morning and am now sitting up in bed with my left foot like a dead fish.”
She admitted to the Scotsman that she had developed a limp, but remained optimistic, stating it “ain’t bad” considering she initially feared being “permanently disabled” after experiencing back pain in Mexico.
Nerve pain, or peripheral neuropathy as referred to by the NHS, pertains to disease or dysfunction of one or more of the “peripheral” nerves. There are several main types of peripheral neuropathy, including motor neuropathy which typically affects the legs and can cause a limp.
Symptoms of this condition include twitching and muscle cramps, muscle weakness or paralysis affecting muscles and thinning of muscles. Although Annie didn’t disclose the specifics of her neuropathy, these symptoms align with her experiences. Foot drop, a condition where the front part of your foot or toes struggle to lift, is another symptom.
READ MORE: Boots fans bag £37 No7 Christmas set that ‘reduces wrinkles in days’ for £10
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply