After campaigning tirelessly for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) for five years, Christina Applegate has disclosed that medical professionals now believe she received an incorrect diagnosis.
During a two-part Tuesday episode of the podcast MeSsy, co-hosted by Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who also has MS, Applegate shared her story after taking a break from the show to process the revelation.
Expressing a mix of emotions, Applegate described feeling like she was starting over from scratch upon learning the news. Despite her doctor’s initial congratulations on not having MS, Applegate admitted to feeling lost rather than relieved.
Detailing her medical journey, Applegate recounted experiencing numbness in her feet in January 2021, leading to subsequent pain and diagnostic tests. Doctors initially suspected a milder form of MS due to her symptoms, but as her condition worsened, further examinations revealed nearly 40 lesions on her brain, resulting in an official MS diagnosis.
However, after pausing her infusion treatments to assess her B cell response, doctors re-evaluated her condition and concluded that she did not have MS. Despite this revelation, Applegate was left without a new diagnosis, leaving her uncertain about the cause of her ongoing symptoms.
Expressing her feelings of disappointment and confusion, Applegate tearfully confided in Sigler, feeling as though she had let down those who saw her as a spokesperson for MS advocacy. The two had launched their podcast in 2024 to discuss everyday challenges while parenting and living with the disease.
Having announced her retirement from acting in 2021 following her MS diagnosis, Applegate is recognized for her roles in popular films like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Bad Moms, as well as her Emmy-nominated performance in Netflix’s Dead to Me.
Globally, over 3.1 million individuals are living with MS, according to the MS International Federation, with Canada having one of the highest prevalence rates worldwide. Notably, more than 90,000 Canadians, roughly one in 400, are affected by the disease, with women comprising seven out of 10 cases.
Sigler reassured Applegate during the podcast that her advocacy work remained significant despite the misdiagnosis. She expressed hope that Applegate might find solace in the possibility of regaining certain abilities, such as dancing, in the future.