Christina Applegate Shares Experience with MS Misdiagnosis

Actress Christina Applegate has shared that she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), leaving her with unanswered questions about her health. On a return to her podcast, “MeSsy,” hosted with Jamie Lynn Sigler, Applegate, 54, recounted her doctor’s revelation, saying, “Congratulations, you don’t have MS.” She took a break from the podcast to process this unexpected news.

Instead of feeling relieved by the announcement, Applegate admitted, “I was not happy at all. Everybody else was happy.” The revelation occurred during a two-part episode released on Tuesday.

Misdiagnoses of MS Are Common

An MS misdiagnosis is relatively common, according to Dr. Marwa Kaisey, associate professor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s department of neurology. She explained in the episode that approximately 20% of those diagnosed with MS actually do not have the disease. Diagnosis is challenging since no single test confirms the condition.

Applegate continues to experience symptoms and expressed her frustration. “I haven’t gotten better, Jamie!” she said in the podcast, revealing her condition has worsened. She plans further investigation into her health issues with her doctors to understand the cause.

Applegate disclosed her MS diagnosis five years ago, marking her public appearances infrequently thereafter. She attended events like what she deemed her “last awards show as an actor probably” in 2023.

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis

The Mayo Clinic notes MS impacts the protective covering of nerves. Its effects vary among patients, with some losing the ability to walk or move in severe cases, while others experience remission with months or years between attacks. Unfortunately, there is no cure for MS.

Despite the new diagnosis, Applegate referred to herself and her co-host Sigler, who has relapsing MS, as “the poster children of MS.” The initial diagnosis halted Applegate’s life, leading to what she described as “a great depression.” She continues to use wheelchairs and struggles with mobility.

Upon learning she doesn’t have MS, she stated, “Nothing magical happened when [the doctor] said, ‘You don’t have MS.’ Nothing magical happened.”

This situation is ongoing, and further updates are anticipated.