Celine Dion's sister sheds light on the singer's ongoing battle with a rare medical condition: 'Having hope is important.'
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In the vast world of music filled with incredible talent, only a handful of names truly stand out, and Celine Dion is undoubtedly one of them. However, we are saddened to share an update about her current health struggles.
In December 2022, the renowned singer of 'My Heart Will Go On' was diagnosed with a rare disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).
Celine’s condition earlier compelled her to cancel her Courage tour for 2022 and 2024, which has devastated her fans worldwide.
In a candid video, Celine explained, 'Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I'm used to.'
'It hurts me to tell you today that this means I won't be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.'
As if that wasn't already a cause for concern now, Celine's sister Claudette recently shared a much grimmer update about the singer's health, telling Le Journal de Montréal, 'We can't find any medicine that works, but having hope is important.'
What's more, Claudette implored Celine to get some much-needed rest.
'At one point, your heart and your body are trying to tell you something. It's important to listen to it,' said Claudette. 'She always goes above and beyond [when performing], and she always tries to be the best and top of her game.'
The sisters have also been consulting 'the top researchers in the field' who are doing their best to find a medicine that would be able to suppress the condition's effects.
The singer has been using a treatment based on immunoglobulins to help relieve her muscle spasms.
Despite what appears to be a lack of progress, Claudette remains positive.
'She is working hard, and we are confident that we will succeed. It can't be a story like this.'
Credit: Celine Dion.
Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a rare and progressively worsening neurological disorder. It's characterised by stiff muscles in the trunk (torso), arms, and legs. People with SPS also experience heightened sensitivity to noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can trigger muscle spasms.
This condition is exceptionally uncommon, affecting only about one in a million people, and is often linked to autoimmune diseases like type-1 diabetes, thyroiditis, vitiligo, and pernicious anaemia.
As the condition progresses, individuals with SPS may develop a hunched-over posture, and some may become severely disabled, making it difficult or impossible for them to walk or move. Due to the lack of normal reflexes, many people with SPS tend to fall frequently, leading to serious injuries.
The fear of triggering spasms and falls often makes people with SPS hesitant to leave their homes, especially in noisy environments where street sounds like car horns can be overwhelming and set off their symptoms. This avoidance behaviour can significantly impact their daily lives and social activities.
Stiff Person Syndrome is believed to exhibit features similar to an autoimmune disease, as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) mentioned.
Though the exact cause remains unclear, research points to a misdirected autoimmune response in the brain and spinal cord as a potential explanation.
The rarity of the disease and the ambiguous nature of its symptoms often lead people to seek care for chronic pain before receiving neurological attention. Unfortunately, this condition can be misdiagnosed as anxiety, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, psychosomatic illness, or phobia.
At the Seniors Discount Club, we want to express our support and well wishes to Celine. We sincerely hope that she can find a treatment that works for her soon.
Members, we'd like to hear your thoughts about her condition. Have you encountered anyone who has experienced something similar? Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.
In December 2022, the renowned singer of 'My Heart Will Go On' was diagnosed with a rare disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).
Celine’s condition earlier compelled her to cancel her Courage tour for 2022 and 2024, which has devastated her fans worldwide.
In a candid video, Celine explained, 'Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I'm used to.'
'It hurts me to tell you today that this means I won't be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.'
As if that wasn't already a cause for concern now, Celine's sister Claudette recently shared a much grimmer update about the singer's health, telling Le Journal de Montréal, 'We can't find any medicine that works, but having hope is important.'
What's more, Claudette implored Celine to get some much-needed rest.
'At one point, your heart and your body are trying to tell you something. It's important to listen to it,' said Claudette. 'She always goes above and beyond [when performing], and she always tries to be the best and top of her game.'
The sisters have also been consulting 'the top researchers in the field' who are doing their best to find a medicine that would be able to suppress the condition's effects.
The singer has been using a treatment based on immunoglobulins to help relieve her muscle spasms.
Despite what appears to be a lack of progress, Claudette remains positive.
'She is working hard, and we are confident that we will succeed. It can't be a story like this.'
Credit: Celine Dion.
Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a rare and progressively worsening neurological disorder. It's characterised by stiff muscles in the trunk (torso), arms, and legs. People with SPS also experience heightened sensitivity to noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can trigger muscle spasms.
This condition is exceptionally uncommon, affecting only about one in a million people, and is often linked to autoimmune diseases like type-1 diabetes, thyroiditis, vitiligo, and pernicious anaemia.
As the condition progresses, individuals with SPS may develop a hunched-over posture, and some may become severely disabled, making it difficult or impossible for them to walk or move. Due to the lack of normal reflexes, many people with SPS tend to fall frequently, leading to serious injuries.
The fear of triggering spasms and falls often makes people with SPS hesitant to leave their homes, especially in noisy environments where street sounds like car horns can be overwhelming and set off their symptoms. This avoidance behaviour can significantly impact their daily lives and social activities.
Stiff Person Syndrome is believed to exhibit features similar to an autoimmune disease, as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) mentioned.
Though the exact cause remains unclear, research points to a misdirected autoimmune response in the brain and spinal cord as a potential explanation.
The rarity of the disease and the ambiguous nature of its symptoms often lead people to seek care for chronic pain before receiving neurological attention. Unfortunately, this condition can be misdiagnosed as anxiety, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, psychosomatic illness, or phobia.
Key Takeaways
- Celine Dion's sister Claudette has publicly discussed the singer's ongoing battle with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), revealing that despite consulting top researchers, they have yet to find any effective medication.
- Claudette emphasised the importance of rest for Celine and listening to her body, acknowledging the singer's tendency to push herself for her performances.
- Claudette also shared that Celine Dion was enduring a particularly heavy treatment involving immunoglobulins to alleviate muscle spasms.
- In light of her diagnosis and ongoing struggles, Celine Dion cancelled all her 2023 and 2024 tour dates, noting the difficulty of touring and her commitment to return to the stage only when she's truly ready.
At the Seniors Discount Club, we want to express our support and well wishes to Celine. We sincerely hope that she can find a treatment that works for her soon.
Members, we'd like to hear your thoughts about her condition. Have you encountered anyone who has experienced something similar? Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.