Illness forces Celine Dion to cancel all tours

Stiff-Person Syndrome, a rare neurological condition that causes muscle spasms and stiffness, has forced Celine Dion to cancel her Courage tour until 2024.

A source close to Celine Dion said that despite undergoing daily physical therapy, the singer still feels pain.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), stiff body syndrome or SPS is a condition of muscle spasms and stiffness that makes the patient sensitive to stimuli such as sounds and painful emotions.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, SPS typically begins with muscle stiffness in the midsection, trunk, and abdomen, then progresses to stiffness and spasms in the legs and other muscles. The spasms, triggered by a start, intense emotion, or cold weather, are strong enough to cause a person to break a bone or fall, leading to serious injury, said Emile Sami Moukheiber, MD, of the Stiffness Syndrome Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

In a video posted on Instagram last December, Celine Dion shared that stiff body syndrome affects every aspect of her life.

"It makes it uncomfortable when I walk, making it impossible for me to use my vocal cords to sing in the way I'm used to," the singer said.

The syndrome affects both the physical and mental aspects of the patient, causing anxiety. According to Dr. Scott Newsome, director of the Stiffness Syndrome Center, many patients do not want to leave their homes because they fear that noises on the street, such as car horns, can cause spasms, leading to falls and accidents.

It is also a very rare disease. According to Dr. Moukheiber, the incidence is about one in a million people. Neurologists usually only see one or two patients in their entire careers.

The first case was reported in the 1950s, Dr. Newsome said. Since then, the disease has affected twice as many women as men. The condition can develop at any age, but usually begins in the 30s or 40s.

Celine Dion performs in Quebec City, Canada, September 2019. Photo: AFP — Celine Dion performs in Quebec City, Canada, September 2019. Photo: *AFP*

According to the NINDS, stiff person syndrome is a result of autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, thyroiditis, vitiligo, and pernicious anemia. Some studies suggest that people with the condition have an abnormal immune response in the brain and spinal cord.

"People with SPS have high levels of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies, which act against an enzyme involved in the synthesis of important neurotransmitters in the brain. The disease can be diagnosed with a blood test that measures GAD antibody levels," the NINDS writes.

Because the symptoms are rare and vague, people often seek medical care for chronic pain before seeing a neurologist. The NINDS notes that the condition can be misdiagnosed as anxiety, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, psychiatric illness, or even phobias. On average, it takes about seven years to properly diagnose a patient with stiff person syndrome.

There is currently no cure for the condition, but doctors often prescribe medications to ease symptoms. Immune globulin can help reduce sensitivity to nerve triggers such as light or sound, helping to prevent falls or spasms.

Painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, and muscle relaxants are part of the treatment regimen. Some hospitals also inject botulinum toxin into the patient's body to relieve symptoms. Additional supportive treatments include acupuncture, physical therapy, and heat and water therapy.

If left untreated, the condition can severely impair quality of life, says Dr Moukheiber. For an artist like Celine Dion, loud sounds and stage lights can be triggers for spasms.

Celine Dion has shared that she has been struggling with her body for a long time. The singer works hard with a sports medicine therapist every day to regain her strength and ability to perform like before.

"But I have to admit, it was a struggle," Celine Dion said.

Thuc Linh (According to CNN )

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