Fans across the world were in shock when the Canadian singer, Celine Dion, announced she had an incurable illness in December 2022.
When Celine Dion gave a statement to say she was suffering from an illness called Stiff Person Syndrome, she shed light on an illness many people had never heard of.
The Canadian songstress is suffering from an illness so rare that only ‘one in one million people’ in the world suffer from the condition.
So just what is Stiff Person Syndrome, its symptoms and its prognosis? Here is everything you need to know about the rare disease:
What is Celine Dion’s illness, Stiff Person Syndrome?
December 2022 saw Celine Dion make a statement to fans across the world confirming she had a rare illness.
The 54-year-old singer said on Instagram that she had SPS, which leaves people as “human statues”, locking the body into rigid positions.
What is stiff-person syndrome?
According to John Hopkins Medicine, Stiff Person Syndrome is “a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that most commonly causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that come and go and can worsen over time.
“SPS most commonly develops in people ages 40 to 50, but in rare cases, it occurs in children and older adults. SPS is thought to affect one to two people in a million.”
Celine told fans that because of her deteriorating health, she was forced to cancel her European tour.
“Hello everyone, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to reach out to you. I miss you all so much and can’t wait to be on stage talking to you in person.
“As you know I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before but I’m ready now.
“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all the spasms I’ve been having,” she added.
“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.”
She explained that she has a “great team of doctors working alongside her” and is being supported by her “precious children”.
What are the symptoms of Stiff Person Syndrome?
The symptoms of Stiff Person Syndrome are wide-ranging and depend on the type of SPS the patient is diagnosed with, but according to John Hopkins Medicine, there are some common symptoms that occur.
Celine Dion announces diagnosis with incurable neurological disorder
“Stiff person syndrome most often causes painful muscle contractions and spasms that often begin in the legs and back,” says a statement from the research facility.
“The spasms can occur in episodes, especially when a person with SPS is surprised or startled, or moves suddenly. Cold temperatures and emotional stress can also set off a muscle spasm. In some people, the spasms are brought on by certain exercises or touch.
“The areas where muscle contractions occur can be stiff and board-like,” John Hopkins Medicine says, before adding a list of symptoms including: Difficulty walking, unsteadiness and falling because of sudden spasms, shortness of breath if SPS affects muscles in the chest and chronic pain.
How is Stiff Person Syndrome diagnosed and treated?
Often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia or anxiety, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIHDS), a definitive diagnosis can be made with a blood test that measures the level of GAD antibodies.
NIHDS states: “Scientists don’t yet understand what causes SPS, but research indicates that it is the result of an autoimmune response gone awry in the brain and spinal cord.
