Celine Dion kept her diagnosis hidden for 17 years:

Two years ago, singer Celine Dion (56 years old) revealed that she suffers from the neurological disease Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) – which in Norwegian is called autoimmune sclerosis syndrome.

In a new interview with Hoda Kotb, 59, of the morning show “Al-Youm” on NBC News, Hoda Kotb, 56, spoke more about her chronic illness. Many media outlets, incl Entertainment tonight.

– A huge burden

In a clip from the TV interview, the “My Heart Will Go On” star gives insight into the bleak course of the disease.

Here, Dion recounts, among other things, that she suffered from the disease for 17 years before the diagnosis became public knowledge.

The singer was finally forced to reveal her illness after the lie became too much for her to bear.

-I should have stopped and taken the time to find out. I had to raise my children. I had to hide. I had to try to be a hero. I felt like my body was leaving me as I held on to my dreams. Lying became a huge burden for me.

In January, Dion could say she'll be sharing “everything” in the upcoming documentary “Me: Celine Dion,” and that's apparently where fans will learn more details about the singer's struggles.

– Rib fracture

The disease has affected her in different ways, and the muscle spasms caused by the syndrome are particularly painful. Dionne's convulsions were sometimes so bad that she broke a rib.

In the 56-year-old's first television interview since her diagnosis, she talks about several severe muscle spasms she has recently experienced.

Confirms the rumours

– You feel as if someone is choking you and putting pressure on your throat, she says about the spasms that occur in the throat.

The pain also means she can only speak in a certain tone when this happens.

– It can also be in the stomach, spine, ribs and even cramps in the hands. The hands can end up in a position where I can't open them.