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The 56-year-old was formally diagnosed with the rare disorder in 2022; however, signs of the illness first emerged in the early 2000s, which is when she started taking Valium to help with this.
The disorder causes patients to experience painful muscle spasms and stiffness. Dion relied on Valium, a sedative med, to control her discomfort, but she ended up taking increased amounts that were simply not safe.
Celine Dion – When She Began Taking Valium
During a chat with PEOPLE, Dion states that she felt her first muscle spasm while on a tour in Germany. This led her to use Valium to help ease the pain.
According to Dion, “We started with two milligrams [of Valium] to see if it would help, and then 2.5, and then 3, and 15 and 50 [and later 90 milligrams to get through a performance]. It could have been fatal. I did not question the level because I don’t know medicine. I thought it was going to be okay.”
Dion states to PEOPLE that the drug worked for some weeks and then it stopped working. She did not understand that she could’ve gone to bed one night, never to wake up again.
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She notes that you “learn through your mistakes.” Dion adds that those who know her well know that she doesn’t take medicine or drugs to get “high” or be “stoned”.
Celine Dion – Is Now On A Good Treatment Plan
Now that Celine has been diagnosed, she is on a productive treatment plan that combines physical rehabilitation, therapy, and medicine. She hopes to get back on stage and perform again, at some point.
While talking in her “I Am: Celine Dion” documentary, she notes that she “can’t answer” if she’ll ever return to singing. That’s, “… because for four years I’ve been saying to myself that I’m not going back, that I’m ready, that I’m not ready.
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As things stand, I can’t stand here and say to you: ‘Yes, in four months.’ I don’t know … my body will tell me. On the other hand, I don’t just want to wait.”
Here’s hoping there is light at the end of the tunnel for Celine Dion, and soon! Make sure to visit CTS often for the best celebrity news and updates.
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