Suffering from stiff person syndrome, Celine Dion spoke about the symptoms she suffers from due to this central nervous system disorder in an interview with NBC News.
- In an interview with NBC News, Celine Dion talks about the symptoms of her illness.
- Since December 2022, the 56-year-old singer has been suffering from stiff person syndrome.
- She describes a feeling of strangulation and spasms so strong they could break her ribs.
“It’s like someone is strangling you, like someone is pressing on your larynx, explains Celine Dion, in an interview given to NBC NewsThe 56-year-old singer has been suffering from stiff person syndrome since December 2022.
Stiff Person Syndrome: Very Severe Symptoms
It is an incurable central nervous system disorder that causes muscle stiffness and progressive spasms, according to the MSD ManualIn the interview, Celine Dion explains that the spasms are sometimes so severe that they can break her ribs.
In people with this disease, the muscles of the trunk and abdomen – sometimes the arms and legs, but to a lesser extent – become stiff and hypertrophied.
“I feel like if I point my feet they will stay in that position, continues Celine Dion in this interview. Or if I’m cooking, because I love cooking, my fingers, my hands, will get into a position… It’s a cramp, but it’s like in a position where you can’t unlock them.“
EXCLUSIVE: In an interview with TODAY’s Hoda Kotb, Céline Dion is shedding light on her health and how seriously her stiff person syndrome has affected her ability to sing.
Céline Dion’s full conversation with Hoda will air on June 11 on @NBC. pic.twitter.com/kvsVX8ZjDt
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 7, 2024
Celine Dion: “I didn’t fight the disease, it’s still in me”
Stiff person syndrome typically progresses to disability and stiffness throughout the body, he said. the consumer version of the MSD ManualCurrently, treatment for this pathology can relieve the symptoms, but cannot cure the patient.
“It’s going well, but it’s a lot of work, continues Celine Dion. It’s one day at a time. I didn’t fight the disease, it’s still in me and forever. We will find, I hope, a miracle, a way to cure it with scientific research, but I have to learn to live with it.“
In general, women are more affected by stiff-person syndrome than men. People with type 1 diabetes, certain types of cancer – including lung, breast, kidney, colon, and thyroid cancers – and certain autoimmune diseases (such as thyroiditis) are at greater risk of developing this condition. Another possible cause: an autoimmune reaction, which means that antibodies, although produced by the body, attack its own cells.
“In stiff person syndrome, these antibodies attack nerve cells in the spinal cord that control muscle movement, specifies the MSD Manual. Most people with stiff person syndrome have antibodies that attack an enzyme called glutamic acid decarboxylase. (…) When less of this enzyme is produced, the nerves overstimulate the muscles, causing them to tense and stiffen.“But sometimes the cause of this disease remains unknown.
All concerts of Celine Dion’s 2023-2024 tour have been cancelled. On the sitethe artist explained during the announcement: “I am working very hard to get my strength back, but touring can be demanding and difficult, even when you are at 100%. It would be unfair to you to postpone shows again, and as much as it breaks my heart, it is best to cancel everything now, until I am truly ready to get back on stage. I want you to know that I am not giving up… and most importantly, I can’t wait to see you again!”
