Stiff person syndrome

"Unfortunately, the 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 ...

In an emotional Instagram video post, the singer opened up about her rare neurological disorder—forcing her to postpone her Europe tour.

“This is my focus, and I’m doing everything that I can to recuperate.” “I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children who are supporting me and giving me hope,” she says. It’s what I’ve done all my life, and it’s what I love to do the most.” Dion was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome that affects “something like one in a million people,” she says to her fans. “I have to admit, it’s been a struggle,” she says in the video message. In a tearful message on her Instagram, the “My Heart Will Go On” artist says she has to postpone her Europe tour dates set for 2023.

Singer Celine Dion has revealed she has been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder that left her unable to perform.

“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 ...

“This means a lot to me,” Dion concluded her message tearfully. “This is my focus.” “But I have to admit it’s been a struggle.” “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.” “Spasms can generate enough force to fracture bone.” “I miss seeing all of you, being on the stage, performing for you.

Celine Dion's diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome has called attention to the rare disorder, which causes muscle spams and rigidity in the torso and limbs.

Stiff person syndrome is a rare neurological condition that can take years to diagnose and tailor treatment.

Celine Dion canceled her upcoming tour after being diagnosed with this rare neurological condition. Here's what we know.

Because of how rare it is, stiff person syndrome is typically diagnosed by first ruling out other, more common conditions. The treatment for the condition is often a patchwork of medication and non-medication interventions, Dr. Diagnosing the condition takes a combination of tools, Dr. The rigidity and spasming can be treated with muscle relaxers and Botox injections. The presence of the chronic pain can also lead some patients to [develop anxiety](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11940-009-0013-9), depression and [phobias](https://n.neurology.org/content/64/11/1961.short) of going outside or trying new activities. There is no cure for stiff person syndrome, so doctors focus on symptom and pain management. The muscle spasms can be triggered by a variety of environmental factors, such as The exact cause of the condition is not clear, but “the immune system is involved,” said Dr. Stiff person syndrome often begins with stiffness in the torso and abdomen, which can then spread to the legs, arms and face, Dr. The syndrome is difficult to diagnose, Dr. [have been tied to](https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/stiff-person-syndrome) a slight increase in risk for developing the syndrome, Dr. It was first coined in the 1920s (as “stiff man syndrome”) after doctors

Stiff-person syndrome, which has forced Canadian superstar singer Celine Dion to postpone her European tour, is a very rare neurological condition that ...

[said on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl5xJY1AjAO/?hl=en). The name has since been changed – women, in fact, make up a majority of cases. [according to NORD](https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/stiff-person-syndrome/). [added](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl5xJY1AjAO/?hl=en). [wrote in the journal Neurology](https://n.neurology.org/content/99/23_Supplement_2/S12). [according to](https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/stiff-person-syndrome/) the US National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).

The condition impacts the brain and spinal cord, and Dion says it has affected her vocal cords and interfered with her ability to sing.

“I always give a hundred percent when I do my shows, but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now.” In addition, some people may take anti-seizure medicines, anti-inflammatories, or [corticosteroids](/corticosteroids/guide/) to reduce pain. But the progression of symptoms isn’t linear, and the severity and frequency of symptoms vary from one patient to the next. But she did say her path to recovery has been challenging. GABA regulates motor neurons that control movement throughout the body, and when there’s not enough of this protein, the nervous system can shift to overdrive and interfere with normal movement. Treatment instead focuses on symptom management and minimizing disability related to the condition. People tend to go through repeated cycles where the condition worsens and then improves, according to NORD. [National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)](https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/stiff-person-syndrome/). “As you know, I’ve always been an open book, and I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but I’m ready now,” Dion said in the video. The condition is also more common in people with [autoimmune diseases](https://www.everydayhealth.com/autoimmune-diseases/all-articles/) such as [rheumatoid arthritis](/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/) and [lupus](/lupus/). “Recently, I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff-person syndrome, which affects something like one in a million people,” Dion continued. [benzodiazepines](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-disorders/xanax-valium-benzodiazepines-prescribed-for-sleep-disorders-raise-overdose-risk/) — such as [diazepam](/drugs/diazepam) and [clonazepam](/drugs/clonazepam) — or the muscle relaxant [baclofen](/drugs/baclofen) to reduce muscle stiffness and spasms, according to the [Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/6076-stiff-person-syndrome).