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‘It’s Like Somebody’s Strangling You’: Celine Dion Explains How Stiff-Person Syndrome Feels Like

Celina Lozano
Celine Dion Explains How Stiff-Person Syndrome Feels Like

In her first TV interview after her diagnosis, Celine Dion told Today host Hoda Kotb the most heartbreaking description of her experience with Stiff-Person Syndrome. She explains that trying to sing “it’s like somebody’s strangling you.”

The most awarded artist in the Juno Awards, describes the feeling of someone pushing on her throat made her voice sound off.

Celine told that it all started in her throat, but she thought it wasn’t big deal. But later, her hands and feet began cramping so badly she couldn’t “unlock them.” 
As a matter of fact, she has even explained that her muscle spasms were so intense she ended up with broken ribs.

Celine Dion’s Diagnosis

Back in 2022, her SPS diagnosis was revealed, and it ended up making her cancel her world tour. Her sister has talked about her autoimmune disorder too, sharing how it sometimes leaves Celine completely unable to move.

Celine’s a fighter, making her way back into the spotlight. She’s been spotted at NHL games and even took on a presenting role at the Grammys this year.

She’ll soon give fans a deeper insight into her health crisis with a new Amazon Prime documentary, “I Am: Celine Dion,” releasing on June 25. In it, she shares some truly emotional moments that bring her to tears.

 

What Does Stiff-Person Syndrome is?

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that usually causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms, which can come and go and often worsen over time. Some people might also experience other symptoms like an unsteady gait, double vision, or slurred speech. The symptoms vary depending on the specific type of SPS a person has.

There’s no cure for stiff person syndrome, but working with a specialist and managing the symptoms can make living with the condition more manageable.

Typically, SPS causes painful muscle contractions and spasms that often start in the legs and back. These spasms can also affect the abdomen, and less frequently, the upper trunk, arms, neck, and face.

The areas where muscle contractions occur can become stiff and board-like. Depending on which part of the body is affected, these contractions can cause:

  • Difficulty walking, with the person possibly spacing their feet wide for better stability
  • A stiff or rigid posture due to ongoing spasms in the back or trunk
  • Unsteadiness and falling due to sudden spasms, which can lead to injuries
  • Shortness of breath if the chest muscles are affected
  • Chronic pain
  • An exaggerated curve (hyperlordosis) in the lower back developing over time from muscle tightness, leading to changes in spine alignment and possibly spinal cord compression (myelopathy)
  • Anxiety and agoraphobia due to falls caused by spasms
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