Celine Dion says she “could’ve died” from high Valium usage due to Stiff Person Syndrome

nme.com:

Celine Dion has opened up about her use of Valium, saying she “could’ve died” from the high dosages she was taking.The singer, who has just released her new documentary I Am: Celine Dion on June 25, was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome in 2022, causing her to reschedule and cancel planned tours.

The disorder primarily affects the brain and spinal cord and causes muscle stiffness, posture problems and sensory issues, as well as painful spasms.In her new documentary, Dion has shared that to manage the pain, she took high doses of Valium which she “could’ve died” from (via Business Insider).

The Canadian singer went on to say that at one point, she took up to 80 or 90mg of Valium every day to get through her tour.

Adults are normally prescribed up to 10mg, to be taken three or four times a day.“That’s just one medicine,” she added. “I don’t want [to be] dramatic, but I could’ve died.” Though it’s apparently rare to overdose and die on benzodiazepines, there’s a higher rate of fatality if the medicines are mixed with other drugs or substances.Dion continued, saying: “I was taking those medicines because I needed to walk, I needed to be able to swallow.