- Céline Dion has been taking Valium
- She was taking a near lethal dose
- By some miracle nothing happened
Céline Dion, the voice behind the timeless classic "My Heart Will Go On," opens up about her 17-year struggle with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a rare and often misdiagnosed condition. From unexplained muscle spasms to life-threatening medication doses, Dion's story is one of resilience and hope.
A Journey of Pain and Perseverance
For nearly two decades, Céline Dion has been grappling with a mysterious health condition that threatened not just her career but her life. The music superstar, known for her unparalleled vocal talent and electrifying stage presence, has finally shed light on her battle with stiff-person syndrome in an emotional revelation.
It all started with a spasm. While on tour in Germany, Dion experienced her first symptom. "My vocal exercise made it worse," she recalls. What followed was a series of unsuccessful treatments, from steam showers to a dangerous cocktail of prescription medications.
"We started with two milligrams to see if it would help, and then 2.5, and then 3, and 15 and 50," says Dion, noting the medication began wearing off so quickly that at one point she took 90 milligrams of Valium to power through a performance.
After years of suffering in silence, Dion's condition was finally named in August 2022: stiff-person syndrome. This rare autoimmune and neurological disorder often flies under the radar, misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease. With no FDA-approved therapies, Dion's treatment is a rigorous regime of medication, immune therapy, vocal therapy, and intense physical rehabilitation.
Despite the challenges, Dion's spirit remains unbroken. "The good thing that's on my side is that I love doing all these things," she says with a smile. Her physician, Dr. Amanda Piquet, praises Dion's determination and sees her public acknowledgment of the disease as a potential lifesaver for others battling SPS.
Céline Dion's journey is more than a story of a celebrity battling a health condition; it's a testament to human resilience and the power of hope. As she fights to return to the stage, her courage serves as an inspiration to many. "I am very, very happy and fortunate," Dion reflects, emphasizing the importance of sharing her story.
"It's very important to know... people who know me well enough, they know that I did not take medicine just to drug myself, just to be high or to be stoned," she emphasizes. "I have been as professional as can be through my whole life, a disciplined, hard-working person doing what I need to do for my voice to be in top shape."
"We don't have FDA-approved therapies for this disease. While we use these treatments, everything is off-label," explains Dr. Amanda Piquet from the University of Colorado, who estimates that 2 in every 100,000 people are fighting SPS, which currently has no cure.
"I've certainly had patients that have clear improvements with these therapies, but we need clinical trials and research to tell us what truly is best," she says.
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Her battle continues to give the world so much to talk about!
As research continues and Dion's treatment progresses, the world watches in awe of her bravery. Céline Dion's fight against stiff-person syndrome is a reminder of the strength found in vulnerability and the impact of sharing one's story.
