In 2021, Celine Dion began to worry her followers for health reasons. The singer, 56, made a professional break without giving many explanations, and cancelled its performances scheduled for the coming months. Later, he resumed his professional activity, but in 2022 and 2023 he was canceling concerts that he had already announced and planned.
During these years, the attention on the Canadian artist has been maximum, and she herself confessed what was happening to her. Specifically, Céline Dion reported that suffers from stiff person syndrome (MRS), a rare neurodegenerative disease that prevents him from continuing with his professional commitments. A disease that he has suffered for 17 years and about which we now know more thanks to the Amazon Prime Video documentary titled I am Celine Dion.
Céline Dion shows the consequences of the illness she suffers
Celine Dion has caused a great impact by showing the side effects of your illness in the documentary, which even shows a medical intervention in a hotel while the singer remains on the ground, unable to do anything due to the intense pain.
A pain that he has tried to mitigate for years with mediation. The artist reveals that she consumed up to 90 milligrams of Valium a day, a really high dose: «I took such high doses of Valium for pain that I could have died». The pills, however, did nothing for him and he was gradually losing his voice. However, he could not stop using the medication during his concerts.
In the midst of the pandemic, she was able to take a break from her tour and stopped taking pills, which worsened her symptoms, which are still present today. Despite this, Celine Dion has not ruled out leaving music and hopes to return to the recording studios.
What is stiff person syndrome?
The Stiff Person Syndrome affects the central nervous system, but has neuromuscular manifestations. «Most patients have antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the enzyme involved in the production of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Without embargo“Stiff person syndrome can be autoimmune, pananeoplastic or idiopathic,” detail the experts at ManualMSD.
The clinical manifestations of stiff person syndrome are similar in all types:
- Muscle stiffness and spasms They progress insidiously in the trunk and abdomen and, to a lesser extent, in the legs and arms.
- On the other hand, the test detects only muscle hypertrophy and stiffness. Stiff person syndrome usually progresses, leading to disability and stiffness throughout the body.
As for the treatment of this disease that Céline Dion suffers from, there are three possibilities:
- Diazepam (Valium) or baclofen.
- IV immunoglobulin (IVIG).
- Sometimes rituximab or plasmapheresis.
