Céline Dion details 1st symptoms of stiff person syndrome that she dismissed for over 10 years

For over 10 years, Celine Dion had a persistent feeling that something was wrong with her physical health before finally being given a diagnosis.

During her interview with Vogue on May 23, the artist spoke about her experience with stiff person syndrome and how she first noticed the unusual symptoms of the uncommon neurological condition.

It was in 2008 when Dion was touring the world for her "Taking Chances" tour. She shared that she was having a hard time managing her voice quite early on. She decided to visit an otolaryngologist (ENT), but unfortunately, no irregularities were discovered.

Dion said that specialists examined her vocal cords thoroughly and said they were in excellent condition. Encouraged by this, she went ahead with her career, starting with a residency in Las Vegas and going on to perform in five more tours. However, as time passed, she began to feel her muscles becoming more rigid and requiring assistance when walking.

Over a decade later, in 2020 when COVID hit, Dion was among the millions of people who were obliged to reduce their pace in life. With this extra time, Dion finally decided to find answers he had been seeking for years. According to Vogue, Dion thought that the pandemic was an opportunity given by the universe and he would make the most of it by exploring his long-standing questions.

Following further examinations, physicians determined that Dion is suffering from a medical condition that brings on rigidity and involuntary contractions of the muscles, for which effective treatment is currently unavailable. As per the Cleveland Clinic, indications of stiff person syndrome usually manifest in the upper part of the body. As it advances, the symptoms typically spread to the lower section, resulting in mobility challenges and raising the likelihood of taking a tumble.

Dion expressed that it might come across as an odd statement, but he felt joyous upon receiving his diagnosis. This brought about a feeling of alignment with the current, rather than resisting it.

After being diagnosed, Dion has been getting medical care for her symptoms. She admitted to Vogue France in April that she hasn't completely gotten rid of the illness since it's still present in her body and always will be. She shared that she undergoes athletic, physical, and vocal therapy five days a week. During the therapy sessions, she focuses on improving her toes, knees, calves, fingers, singing abilities, and voice.

Initially, Dion had doubts if her sickness was caused by her own actions. However, she came to the conclusion that there's no definite answer to this question since life, as she believes, is unexplainable. Consequently, she resolved to tackle her condition by devoting a great deal of effort and training, akin to that of an athlete's. She is collaborating conscientiously with her medical team, encompassing all of her physical and mental faculties from top to toe. She is aspiring to be at her peak condition and has set her sights on the Eiffel Tower, with a fervent desire to witness it again.

In a fresh documentary titled "I Am: Celine Dion," Dion will be offering a close-up view of her life with stiff person syndrome to the viewers. It's a chance for outsiders to delve into her private life, and it will be accessible on Prime Video on June 25. This is her first time opening up her home to people outside her inner circle.

According to Vogue, Dion stated that this is the sole location where she has the freedom to experience pain, shed tears, act erratically, feel ecstatic, hum melodies, get off track - and currently, be exposed.

The segment in the movie sneak peek features Dion expressing her ongoing hard work despite the difficulties. She discloses her yearning for singing, the stage and her followers. Dion affirms her determination by claiming to persistently move forward, even if it entails walking or crawling with tearful emotions.

Dion expressed her desire for the documentary not to scare individuals but to raise awareness about SPS when talking to Vogue. She shared her personal experience of taking 17 years to get diagnosed and urged others not to wait that long.

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