Celine Dion says happiness can trigger symptoms of stiff person syndrome

• Celine Dion says her symptoms of stiff person syndrome can be easily triggered.
• The “My Heart Will Go On” singer spoke about her condition during an interview with Hoda Kotb today.
• Dionne also shared that she had symptoms until 2008.

Celine Dion says the symptoms of her Stiff Person Syndrome can easily be triggered by almost anything, including laughter.

In an interview with Hoda Kotb, which aired on NBC on Tuesday, Dionne spoke about the reality of living with this medical condition.

“Anything can motivate me to get something,” Dion told Kotb. “Too much work, not enough work. If I sit all day, I’ll be wobbly. And I walk wobbly.” She said that if she asked her therapist to put too much pressure on her, it could cause problems. “I could have a condition and go into crisis,” she said.

The singer spoke in detail about other triggers that can cause muscle spasms.

“The happiness, the sound, the unexpected touch. So I don’t really want to think too much about it, but I have to be aware of it,” Dion said.

During a segment of the NBC interview, Erin Taylor Brodsky — the director of her upcoming documentary “I Am: Celine Dion” — joined the duo to talk about her experience witnessing one of Dion’s medical attacks firsthand.

“It was very fast. She was laughing, and five seconds later, we were in a completely different stratosphere,” Taylor said. “She had a cramp in her foot, and I thought, ‘This doesn’t seem right.’”

Within minutes, Dionne was unable to speak as her body muscles stiffened.

“It was the most extraordinary and uncomfortable moment of my life,” Brodsky said. “As a filmmaker, but also as a mother, as a human being, because I didn’t know what was happening.” “We were so close, and her body was taking on something unimaginable, and I wasn’t sure if she knew it, and I wasn’t sure if she was going to survive it.”

Dionne recovered after her team administered medication, according to the interview.

“My Heart Will Go On” singer. Announced for the first time it was Diagnosis of stiff person syndrome In December 2022.

During the NBC interview, she said she had symptoms of the condition until 2008, but chose to overcome it so she could continue touring and performing for her fans.

Stiff person syndrome It is a rare, progressive neurological disorder that can cause symptoms such as muscle stiffness and spasms.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokePeople with stiff person syndrome can also experience greater sensitivity to noise, touch, and emotional distress — all of which can lead to muscle spasms.

It is a very rare disease that affects One in a millionaccording to one estimate, per a national rare disorders organization.

There is no cure for stiff person syndrome, but there is Ways for patients to manage their conditionincluding through medications and therapy.

In April, Dion told French Vogue that she goes to therapy five days a week and trains “like an athlete” as part of her treatment plan.

“From my point of view, I have two options. Either I train like an athlete and work very hard, or I stop working and that’s it, I stay at home, listen to my songs, stand in front of my mirror and sing myself,” Dion said.

During the NBC interview, the singer also told Kotb that she was determined to return to the stage.

She told Hoda: “I will return to the stage, even if I have to crawl, and even if I have to speak with my hands. I will do it. I will.” “I am Celine Dion, because today my voice will be heard for the first time, not just because I have to, or because I need to. But because I want to. And I miss it,” Dion said.

The NBC interview can be streamed on Peacock.

“I Am: Celine Dion” will premiere June 25 on Prime Video.