Celine Dion's Battle with Stiff Person Syndrome and Excessive Medication Intake
Singer Celine Dion recently opened up about her excessive intake of “very dangerous medications” during an interview broadcast on the French channel TF1. This discussion comes ahead of the release of the Amazon Prime Video documentary, “I: Celine Dion,” which recounts her struggle with a rare disease that has kept her away from the stage for years.
The 56-year-old Canadian artist has been battling Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), an autoimmune disease that has no known cure and causes severe pain, difficulty moving, and spasms. As a result, she has not been able to perform since 2020. In her interview, Dion described how the intense pain led her to cancel numerous shows and turn to various medications in a desperate bid for relief.
The Toll of Medication
Dion shared that she began with small doses of anti-inflammatories and anti-spasmodics but eventually resorted to taking very dangerous medications as her condition worsened. In response to a question about whether she had taken Valium (diazepam), a psychoactive benzodiazepine drug, she confirmed that she had, among other medications. Initially, the medications provided some relief, but she soon found that the doses had to be increased to dangerous levels, leading to a dilemma: continue with ineffective treatments or stop and risk severe consequences.
The interview, recorded in Las Vegas last May, highlighted the harrowing journey that Dion has undergone without a diagnosis until the end of 2022. She emphasized the importance of not enduring pain alone and encouraged others to consult specialists and openly discuss their struggles.
Despite her ongoing battle with SPS, Dion remains optimistic about her return to the stage. Though she has not set a specific date for her return, she expressed her determination to perform again in the future.
- The French newspaper Le Canard Enchaine reported earlier this month that Celine Dion might be among the artists participating in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris on July 26. However, this has not been confirmed by Dion, who stated, 'I do not know when that will happen, but I will return to theaters.'
