Actress Christina Applegate, 54, shared the shocking news that she has been misdiagnosed and doesn’t have MS. Here’s all you need to know about the chronic condition and symptoms you should look out for.
Christina Applegate has spent years believing she was living with multiple sclerosis, but it turned out everything was wrong. The beloved actress received an unexpected update about her diagnosis, which she revealed during an emotional episode of her podcast, MeSsy, which she co-hosts with fellow actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler.
The 54-year-old star first announced that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2021. Since then, Christina Applegate has spoken openly about the physical challenges she faces and how the condition has affected her everyday life.
But during the latest podcast episode, she explained that her doctor had recently told her that she did not have MS after all.
Recalling the moment she learned about the misdiagnosis, Applegate explained that her doctor shared the news during a medical appointment.
“She came into my room and said, ‘Congratulations, you don’t have MS,'” Applegate recalled, crying. “I was, like, not happy at all. Everybody else was so happy.”
The Married with… Children alum went on to explain that she continues to struggle with serious physical symptoms, despite being told that she does not have the condition.
MS symptoms explained as Christina Applegate says she was misdiagnosed
“I haven’t gotten better, I still have to use wheelchairs when I go to the doctor’s office. I can’t walk from the car to the room,” she said, adding that knowing about the misdiagnosis has left her feeling lost.
“I’m back at square one – that I don’t know what’s going on with me,” Appelgate continued.
While doctors will now need to investigate what has been causing the symptoms she has experienced over the past several years, the shocking news has left her with more questions than ever.
Hopefully, the 54-y4eear-old will get answers soon. But while Appelgate was misdiagnosed, she has been an outspoken advocate for people living with MS and the possible stigma that comes with it. She has also spoken candidly about how her health has affected her career and personal life.
So what is MS, and what symptoms should you watch for?
Firstly, it’s short for Multiple sclerosis, a chronic condition that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms to look out for
Per the Mayo Clinic, it occurs when the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers, disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
Symptoms can vary widely from person to person, which can make it tricky to detect.
“Some people lose the ability to walk on their own or move at all. Others may have long periods between attacks without any new symptoms, called remission. The course of the disease varies depending on the type of MS,” the Mayo Clinic writes.
However, here are some common symptoms.
- Severe fatigue
- Numbness or tingling in the arms and legs
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Muscle stiffness and spasms
- Vision problems
- Bladder difficulties
- Problems with memory and concentration
No single test can today confirm MS in every case. Doctors usually consider a list of factors, including symptoms, medical history, neurological examination, and test results including MRI scans, when applicable), when making a diagnosis.
Christina Applegate says she feel like she “let everybody down”
Because symptoms can overlap with those of other conditions, reaching the correct diagnosis can sometimes be challenging.
Since sharing her original diagnosis in 2021, as mentioned, Christina Applegate has been very outspoken about her diagnosis. But as doctors shared the shocking news that she had been misdiagnosed, the actress candidly revealed she has struggled with the feeling of letting people down.
“It’s weird because I feel like I let everybody down,” she explained on her podcast MeSsy, adding that she has found purpose in speaking about her experiences in public and helping raise awareness.
“It’s very unnerving and it’s really confusing for me,” she said.”It’s very unnerving and it’s really confusing for me,” she said.
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