An autoimmune pathology which affects one or two people in 100,000 and which was diagnosed after years of medical wandering. Before the diagnosis was made in 2022, Celine Dion was self-medicating to control her symptoms and continue her career on stage. But things weren't getting better, so she was redirected to University Hospital in Denver, where autoimmune disease specialists practice. It was there that she met Amanda Piquet, a neurologist at the University of Colorado. This doctor is one of the few specialists in stiff man syndrome in the world.
“Celine Dion will no longer be able to put on a show like before”
A disease that can be slowed down
She spoke to BFMTV about the career of Céline Dion, whom she has now followed for almost two years. “She had symptoms similar to many patients, painful and debilitating spasms. So we started working together, and we both established a very good relationship,” said Amanda Piquet, who established a treatment protocol. for the 56-year-old singer.
“Stiff person syndrome is a progressive autoimmune disease, which affects the central nervous system. It's like you can no longer control your muscles. You receive conflicting messages to contract and stretch, which causes muscle spasms. And one thing leading to another, difficulty walking,” detailed the neurologist. The disease can be managed if the appropriate treatment is found, and it can therefore be slowed down, although there are “ups and downs”, according to Amanda Piquet.
Several days a week and for several hours, Céline Dion works on the flexibility of her limbs, including her vocal cords. In addition, she receives heavy drug treatment. This helps slow the progression of the pathology, and it therefore allowed him to return to the stage and therefore to perform during the Paris Olympics.
“Her foot was twisted”: Celine Dion’s sister confides in a painful episode of her illness
