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Adam Devine Opens Up About “Nightmare” Health Journey and Misdiagnosis
Actor Adam Devine has recently shared details about his challenging health ordeal, describing it as a “nightmare.” In a candid interview, the Pitch Perfect star revealed a period of intense uncertainty and fear surrounding his condition, including a misdiagnosis of a rare neurological disorder.
Facing a Health Scare and Stiff-Person Syndrome Misdiagnosis
During a recent appearance on In Depth With Graham Bensinger, Devine, 41, disclosed the unsettling experience. “They don’t really know [what’s happening]. I was experiencing spasms throughout my body and it still happens to some extent,” Devine explained. He further revealed the gravity of the situation, stating, “For a period, they suggested I was dying. This was literally within the past year, they conveyed that to me.”
Devine recounted being informed he potentially had stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological condition. He clarified the nature of the illness, explaining that it causes muscles to become excessively rigid, leading to immobility and potentially fatal complications. “It’s when your muscles become so constricted that you lose the ability to walk, to move altogether — ultimately, your heart, being a muscle, ceases to function,” he detailed.
“It becomes too constricted to beat, leading to death,” he continued to articulate about the severe condition. “Consequently, the average life expectancy is approximately six years for individuals diagnosed with it. They informed me that I had this, just one month prior to the birth of my son Beau.”
Emotional Toll and Shifting Diagnosis
Devine, who welcomed his son Beau in 2024 with wife Chloe Bridges, expressed his initial emotional response to the news. He remembered thinking, “Oh great, now I’m going to die,” and considered the prospect of his son growing up with “a disabled father.”
Following initial diagnoses, Devine underwent two hip surgeries and received stem cell therapy in Colombia. Subsequently, medical professionals revised their initial assessment, suggesting he might not have stiff-person syndrome. However, six months passed with limited improvement in his condition.
“I could only walk a few blocks before becoming so stiff I was practically immobile, and at that point, they indicated, ‘We actually believe you do have it,’” Devine recounted, explaining the recommendation to consult with a specialist in the field.
Ultimately, the expert determined that Devine was not suffering from the same ailment as Celine Dion, who publicly shared her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis in 2022. Instead, the specialist proposed that Devine’s symptoms might stem from a childhood accident. Devine disclosed that he was struck by a cement truck as a child, resulting in fractures to “all the bones” in his leg.
Possible Link to Childhood Trauma
“[The expert] stated, ‘The spasms are somewhat inexplicable, but it’s possible that extreme tightness in your body is causing a neurological misfire, as your body is unsure how to manage it,’” Devine remembered.
Devine mentioned that his body has “various elements that are slightly off, slightly incorrect.” He added that during the pandemic, he had been “constantly” exercising, and his body “simply gave out.”
Current Condition and Career Perspective
The actor updated on his present health status, indicating that while symptoms persist, he is currently doing well.
“Extended periods of sitting or standing, or prolonged walking, are all painful. I need to use a foam roller and stretch multiple times a day,” Devine detailed. “I’m currently in the best condition I’ve been in for the last three years. I believe my current state is the best I’ve experienced.”
Devine also reflected on how his health journey has influenced his career aspirations. He stated that his initial ambition to become a comedic action star has evolved. “Now, my perspective is, ‘I’ll be the comedic relief alongside the action star in action movies, letting them handle the action sequences,’” Devine shared. “Initially, I aspired to be the all-encompassing action performer as I enjoy stunts and find them exciting. However, I’m now navigating my limitations and exploring what I can and cannot physically manage.”