In late 2022, Grammy-winning singer Céline Dion took to Instagram to share a personal message in regard to an ongoing health journey. She shared with her followers that she had been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome, which can cause stiff muscles as well as debilitating muscle spasms. Céline had to cancel her tour dates to concentrate on her health.
In this video posted by ABC7 SWFL, a woman from Naples, Florida, shares her own story about how she lives with the same ailment as the famous singer.
Lahoma Nachtrab had been feeling unwell for some time before she got her own diagnosis, and when she saw Céline’s social media video, she immediately felt a sense of gratitude that the singer shared such a “vulnerable” piece of herself.
Stiff person syndrome is so rare that only about 1 in 1 million people are diagnosed with the neurological disorder.
“My legs started giving out on me, sometimes on the treadmill. It was hard to get through [the] day. It was hard to be upright, even. Right now, sitting here, I have pain in my upper back,” Lahoma recounts.
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Lahoma explains that one of the biggest triggers for her muscle spasms is any exertion of her upper back, which can result from typical reaching or even just stretching with her arms.
At times, her muscle spasms get so bad that she immediately has to sit down to try to relieve the pain and unpredictable spasms. She finds herself in frustrated tears due to the pain.
To hear more from Lahoma, including what it’s like to lose control of your own body, watch the full video posted by ABC7 SWFL on YouTube.
