Celine Dion Reveals Near-Fatal Struggle with Valium Amid Stiff Person Syndrome Battle
3 min read
Gotham/GC Images
Celine Dion has opened up about her harrowing experience with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) and how it led her to take dangerously high doses of Valium. In a deeply personal interview with Hoda Kotb, which aired on NBC on June 11, 2024, Dion detailed her journey from the onset of symptoms to her current battle with the debilitating condition. The interview will be available for streaming on Peacock tomorrow.
Celine Dion first disclosed her SPS diagnosis in 2022, but she had been experiencing symptoms for years prior. During the interview, she revealed that she began taking small doses of Valium to manage the muscle spasms and seizures associated with SPS. However, over time, as her body built a tolerance to the medication, she found herself taking significantly higher doses.
“Ninety milligrams of Valium can kill you,” Dion confessed. “You can stop breathing. My body got used to it at 20, 30, and 40 milligrams, until it went up. I needed that. It was relaxing my whole body.”
Céline Dion says she won’t let her stiff-person syndrome battle stop her from performing again:
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) June 12, 2024
“I’m going to go back on stage, even if I have to crawl. Even if I have to talk with my hands, I will. I will.” pic.twitter.com/s5MTHTXuTdAdvertisement
She further explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic, she reduced her Valium intake due to the pause in musical performances. However, this reduction led to a worsening of her symptoms, complicating her already challenging condition.
Despite the setbacks, Dion remains determined to return to the stage. “I’m going to go back onstage,” she vowed. “Even if I have to crawl, even if I have to talk with my hands. I will.”
Fans will gain an intimate look into Dion’s life and struggles in her upcoming documentary, I Am: Celine Dion, which premieres on Prime Video on June 25. The documentary captures her journey, including the period following her SPS diagnosis.
During the interview, Celine Dion recalled how she first noticed symptoms during her 2008 Taking Chances world tour. She described how she would lower the key of her songs and let the audience sing when she was unable to continue. “I wanted to be brave, I didn’t want to let anyone down,” she said.
Celine Dion says she was taking 90 milligrams of Valium a day to cope with symptoms of Stiff Person Syndrome — far beyond the maximum recommended dosage of 40 milligrams.
— Variety (@Variety) June 12, 2024
“I did not know honestly that it could kill me. Ninety milligrams of Valium can kill you, you can stop… pic.twitter.com/ZmkcdRDRlL
She also detailed how her symptoms progressed, affecting her ability to move and sing. The severe muscle spasms even led to broken ribs. “It started here,” she said, pointing to her throat. “Then you have a hard time walking, and then you’re blind for two hours. You think of simple things, not thinking you’re going to die. But at one point, you get into a tunnel, and it looks like seizures.”
SPS, a rare autoimmune neurological disorder, affects one to two in a million people and manifests in random episodes. Dion’s upcoming documentary aims to shed light on her condition and her fight to continue performing despite it. When asked if she ever questioned why she was afflicted with SPS, Dion responded, “I could have gone that route and say I have been working so hard and done everything right. But will it take away SPS? Will it make me feel better? I decided to live my life.”
In a message to her fans, Dion expressed her eagerness to return to performing. “I want you to come and see me again,” she shared. “I would like to invite you to sing with me again. You’ve been my supporters for so many years. Sometimes I’ve thought, maybe they forgot. But I just can’t wait.”
As fans eagerly await her return, Dion’s resilience and determination continue to inspire. Her story is a poignant reminder of the strength it takes to face life’s greatest challenges.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
