Celine Dion’s voice has been severely impacted by Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare, progressive neurological disorder causing muscle stiffness and spasms throughout her body. The spasms affect her larynx and pharynx, creating a sensation of being strangled, which prevents her from controlling her vocal cords to sing.

What happened to Celine Dion's voice?

For Celine Dion, SPS initially manifested in her voice, making singing and performing increasingly difficult. Over time, the symptoms worsened, and despite pushing through with the help of pain medication, Dion eventually had to cancel her tour and prioritize her health.

Does stiff person syndrome affect your voice?

When singer Celine Dion began to experience voice spasms, it was the first sign of stiff person syndrome, an extremely rare neurological disorder that can ultimately affect the entire body.

Can people with stiff person syndrome talk?

Stiff Person Syndrome Plus

People with SPS plus can have muscle spasms and rigidity along with lack of coordination, double vision, slurred speech and other symptoms.

Can a person recover from stiff person syndrome?

No, there's currently no cure for Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), but it's a manageable chronic condition, and treatments like medications (benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants), immunotherapy (IVIG, plasmapheresis), physical therapy, and integrative therapies can significantly control symptoms, reduce spasms, and improve quality of life, though complete resolution is rare. Early diagnosis and consistent, individualized treatment are key to managing this autoimmune disorder.
 

Céline Dion shares glimpse of living with stiff person syndrome

Is Celine Dion's voice getting better?

“She's gently rehearsing at home and continuing with her physical therapy to treat her SPS. “She's moving around pretty good, and her voice sounds wonderful, thanks to all the vocal exercises she's been doing.” “People can't believe she's doing so well so soon.

What celebrities have stiff person syndrome?

When singer Celine Dion recently announced that she was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome (SPS), it created an opportunity for many to learn about this rare autoimmune neurologic disorder that affects only one in a million people.

How painful is stiff person syndrome?

Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is extremely painful, causing severe muscle stiffness and debilitating, agonizing spasms that feel like intense, constant charley horses, often triggered by noise, stress, or touch, and can be strong enough to break bones, dislocate limbs, or cause falls, leading to chronic pain and major mobility issues. The pain can range from constant aching discomfort to sudden, excruciating, full-body contractions. 

What is the root cause of stiff person syndrome?

Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) comes from an autoimmune response where the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain and spinal cord, specifically targeting the enzyme that creates GABA, a neurotransmitter crucial for relaxing muscles, leading to stiffness and spasms, though the exact trigger for this autoimmune attack isn't fully known but is linked to other autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes. 

Can people live for 20 or 30 years with Parkinson's?

Though Parkinson's is a progressive disease, many people live 10, 20, or even 30 years post-diagnosis, especially with good management and support. Most people die with Parkinson's, not from it. However, late-stage complications like pneumonia, falls, and dementia often contribute to mortality.

What are the first signs of SPS?

Early symptoms of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) often start subtly as waxing and waning muscle stiffness and aching discomfort in the trunk (back, abdomen, chest), fluctuating in severity and sometimes affecting the legs and arms. These initial signs can progress to painful, severe muscle spasms triggered by noise, stress, or touch, leading to a stiff gait, balance issues, and an abnormal, arched posture (hyperlordosis).

Who can sing all 10 octaves?

While a true 10-octave range is exceptionally rare, Tim Storms holds the Guinness World Record for the widest vocal range, achieving around 10 octaves, primarily through extreme low notes (ultra-profundo), with other notable singers like Mariah Carey, Axl Rose, Prince, Christina Aguilera, Freddie Mercury, Steven Tyler, and Dimash Qudaibergen often cited for massive ranges, typically in the 4-to-5-octave range, showcasing incredible vocal versatility.

What was the nasal spray they gave Celine?

Céline Dion was given a benzodiazepine nasal spray, specifically likely diazepam (Valium), to treat severe muscle spasms from her Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS) during an episode shown in her documentary, I Am: Céline Dion; this powerful medication helps relax muscles and calm anxiety.
 

What famous singer lost her voice?

Julie Andrews underwent surgery in 1997 to remove noncancerous nodules on her vocal cords, which resulted in the singer losing her singing voice following the procedure. “If it had happened earlier, it would have been really devastating,” Andrews told PEOPLE in 2015.

What are the red flags of stiff person syndrome?

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neurological disorder. Symptoms may include: Stiff muscles in the torso, arms, and legs. Greater sensitivity to noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms.

Does gabapentin help stiff person syndrome?

Antiepileptics That Enhance GABA Synthesis or Facilitate GABAergic Transmission. Gabapentin is tried in most of our patients because it enhances GABA synthesis and helps the painful spasms, starting with 300 mg TID and increasing the dose as tolerated.

How to avoid stiff person syndrome?

As stiff person syndrome is an autoimmune-related condition, there isn't anything you can do to prevent it.

What are the end stages of stiff person syndrome?

In the end stages of the disease, few muscles in the body are spared. Trismus is absent. However, facial and pharyngeal muscles may be affected markedly. Joint deformities may occur.

Is stiff person syndrome a form of MS?

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neuroimmunological disorder presenting with a wide variety of signs and symptoms that mimic neuro-inflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), thus delaying diagnosis.

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