Céline Dion will not be on stage in the foreseeable future: the singer suffers from it stiff person-syndrome. What do you notice when you have this disease? And can this still be cured?
It stiff personsyndrome often begins with pain and a feeling of stiffness, especially in the lower back. If this spreads to the trunk and legs, and the patient also experiences painful cramps, this syndrome may be involved.
Muscle stiffness, (severe) spasms and an increased sensitivity to stimuli such as sound and light are hallmark symptoms when you have had the condition for some time. As a result, the patient suffers greatly. The person also often falls due to spasms. Stress or cold weather make these spasms even more likely.
Those who suffer from this condition are therefore in a lot of pain, but can also suffer many bone fractures following an unexpected fall. It has a major impact on your daily life, Dion says in the video in which she said she has the syndrome. For example, she has difficulty walking and the disease affects her vocal cords. “I can’t sing like I used to anymore. That means I’m not ready to resume my tour in February.”
According to Dr. Emile Moukheiber, who faced Cnn explains the condition, many people with the syndrome suffer from anxiety. They are afraid of falling or having a spasm attack.
Often the syndrome does not occur: about one in a million people get it. Someone was first diagnosed with the condition in the 1950s. Then it becamestiff mansyndrome’, but this changed when it was found that women in particular suffer more from it.
It often takes a long time for someone to be diagnosed. The symptoms are very general and therefore it is difficult to determine whether this is actually the case stiff personthe syndrome goes. It stiff personthe syndrome is an autoimmune disease, but the exact cause is not known.
Treatment is not possible. However, there are medications that relieve the symptoms, as painkillers, anxiolytics and muscle relaxants. This helps control the condition. “It’s a disease that can take quite a toll,” Moukheiber says.
So the question is whether Dion will be at the Ziggo Dome next year. He had previously moved his three scheduled shows to August 2023. “Right now I have no choice but to focus on my health. I’m doing everything I can to fight back.”
