Celine Dion revealed in emotional video She posted on Instagram on Thursday (8th December) that she is battling a rare neurological disorder called “Stiff person syndrome. "
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“You know, I've always been an open book. And I wasn't ready to say anything before,” Dion said in a brief clip. “But I'm ready now... I've been dealing with my health issues for a long time, and it was really hard for me to face these Challenges and talking about everything you've been through."
Due to severe muscle spasms that Dion says "affect every aspect of my daily life," she won't be able to re-start her tour of Europe in February as planned. All of its Spring 2023 dates will move to 2024 and 8 of its Summer 2023 shows have been cancelled.
Following Dion's announcement, we've rounded up everything you need to know about the lesser-known disorder.
What is Stiff Person Syndrome?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeStiffened Person Syndrome, or SPS, is a very rare neurological disorder with features of an autoimmune disease. “SPS is characterized by fluctuations in muscle stiffness in the trunk and extremities and increased sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, touch, and emotional disturbance, which can lead to muscle spasms,” according to NINDS, which also notes that the disorder affects women’s vulnerabilities as men and science doesn’t yet understand the reasons for this. The disorder is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, or anxiety.
Consequently Johns Hopkins MedicineSPS only affects one or two in a million people.
What are the symptoms of stiff person syndrome?
According to NINDS, "abnormal postures, often hunched over and rigid, are characteristic of this disorder." People with SPS may also be unable to walk or move or may be triggered into a spasm or fall due to loud noises.
Are there treatments for stiff person syndrome?
Current treatment is a regimen of anticonvulsants, Valium, and intravenous therapies aimed at reducing rigidity and reducing sensitivity to touch, noise, and stress. Preferred treatments can improve symptoms, but the cure is not yet known and sufferers often experience frequent falls due to a lack of the usual defensive reflexes.
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