Celine Dion risks life with potentially fatal drug dose: ‘I could not do this anymore’
- Replies 4
Illness and disease often act as formidable barriers, preventing us from engaging in the activities we cherish most.
These challenges impact our physical capabilities and demand a balance between managing our personal lives and confronting our health battles.
In a candid and heart-wrenching interview, the iconic singer Celine Dion shared a startling confession that shows the hidden struggles those in the limelight face.
The vocalist, whose voice captivated millions, found herself grappling with a condition that has severely impacted her ability to perform.
Stiff Person Syndrome is characterised by muscle stiffness and painful spasms, and for Dion, these symptoms became formidable adversaries.
Desperate for reprieve, she turned to valium, a medication known for its muscle relaxant properties, which can also be used to manage seizures.
Initially prescribed a 20-milligram dose, Dion's usage of the drug took a dangerous turn as her body developed a tolerance, requiring higher and higher doses to achieve the same effect.
The escalation was alarming, with Dion admitted to taking up to 90 milligrams on certain days—a dosage that far exceeds the typical adult range of 2 to 10 milligrams and one that carries the risk of respiratory failure and death.
‘Ninety milligrams of Valium can kill you. You can stop breathing,’ Dion said.
‘And at one point, the thing is that my body got used to it at 20 and 30 and 40 [milligrams] until it went up. And I needed that. It was relaxing my whole body.’
The turning point came with the global lockdown, a period that allowed Dion to step back from her career.
With the help of medical professionals, she began the delicate and dangerous process of tapering off the medication.
‘I stopped everything with the help of doctors because when you taper these drugs, you can, you can die, as well,’ she said.
‘You cannot just, like, stop everything.’
Dion's health struggles began to manifest during her Taking Chances world tour in 2008, but it wasn't until 2022 that she publicly disclosed the full extent of her battle.
‘I did not take the time. I should have stopped, take the time to figure it out,’ she said.
Dion mentioned that during that period, her husband, René Angélil, was battling cancer at the same time.
‘My husband as well was fighting for his own life,’ she continued.
‘I had to raise my kids, I had to hide. I had to try to be a hero while feeling my body leaving me. [I was] holding on to my own dreams.’
In 2016, Angélil sadly passed away. He was the father of her 23-year-old son René-Charles and 13-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy.
The pressure to conceal her deteriorating condition from the world became an unbearable burden for Dion.
'I could not do this anymore,' she expressed.
'Lying for me, the burden was too much. Lying to the people who got me where I am today, I could not do it anymore.'
You can view the interview here:
Credit: Today / YouTube
In a related story, a legendary rock star is undergoing a major surgery that could jeopardise his career.
He confessed that he's uncertain about his ability to perform live again post-surgery. You can read more details on Bon Jovi’s situation here.
We wish Celine Dion a swift and full recovery and eagerly anticipate seeing her grace the stage again soon.
Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges? How did you cope with the pressures of maintaining a facade while dealing with health issues? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
These challenges impact our physical capabilities and demand a balance between managing our personal lives and confronting our health battles.
In a candid and heart-wrenching interview, the iconic singer Celine Dion shared a startling confession that shows the hidden struggles those in the limelight face.
The vocalist, whose voice captivated millions, found herself grappling with a condition that has severely impacted her ability to perform.
Stiff Person Syndrome is characterised by muscle stiffness and painful spasms, and for Dion, these symptoms became formidable adversaries.
Desperate for reprieve, she turned to valium, a medication known for its muscle relaxant properties, which can also be used to manage seizures.
Celine Dion opened up about her life and health. Credit: Today / YouTube
Initially prescribed a 20-milligram dose, Dion's usage of the drug took a dangerous turn as her body developed a tolerance, requiring higher and higher doses to achieve the same effect.
The escalation was alarming, with Dion admitted to taking up to 90 milligrams on certain days—a dosage that far exceeds the typical adult range of 2 to 10 milligrams and one that carries the risk of respiratory failure and death.
‘Ninety milligrams of Valium can kill you. You can stop breathing,’ Dion said.
‘And at one point, the thing is that my body got used to it at 20 and 30 and 40 [milligrams] until it went up. And I needed that. It was relaxing my whole body.’
The turning point came with the global lockdown, a period that allowed Dion to step back from her career.
With the help of medical professionals, she began the delicate and dangerous process of tapering off the medication.
‘I stopped everything with the help of doctors because when you taper these drugs, you can, you can die, as well,’ she said.
‘You cannot just, like, stop everything.’
Dion's health struggles began to manifest during her Taking Chances world tour in 2008, but it wasn't until 2022 that she publicly disclosed the full extent of her battle.
‘I did not take the time. I should have stopped, take the time to figure it out,’ she said.
Dion mentioned that during that period, her husband, René Angélil, was battling cancer at the same time.
‘My husband as well was fighting for his own life,’ she continued.
‘I had to raise my kids, I had to hide. I had to try to be a hero while feeling my body leaving me. [I was] holding on to my own dreams.’
In 2016, Angélil sadly passed away. He was the father of her 23-year-old son René-Charles and 13-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy.
The pressure to conceal her deteriorating condition from the world became an unbearable burden for Dion.
'I could not do this anymore,' she expressed.
'Lying for me, the burden was too much. Lying to the people who got me where I am today, I could not do it anymore.'
You can view the interview here:
Credit: Today / YouTube
In a related story, a legendary rock star is undergoing a major surgery that could jeopardise his career.
He confessed that he's uncertain about his ability to perform live again post-surgery. You can read more details on Bon Jovi’s situation here.
Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges? How did you cope with the pressures of maintaining a facade while dealing with health issues? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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