Actress Christina Applegate recently revealed her misdiagnosis with multiple sclerosis, stating that she’s “back at square one.” Applegate opened up during a return to her podcast “MeSsy,” co-hosted with Jamie Lynn Sigler. She shared a significant moment when her doctor informed her, “Congratulations, you don’t have MS.” While others were happy, she found the news unsettling.
Applegate, 54, took a step back from “MeSsy” to process the revelation. Despite the misdiagnosis, she continues to experience severe symptoms, with no clarity on their cause. She expressed frustration, “I haven’t gotten better… I’ve gotten worse,” highlighting the ongoing investigation her doctors are conducting to understand her condition since 2021.
Dr. Marwa Kaisey, an associate professor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, addressed the complexity of diagnosing multiple sclerosis on the podcast. Dr. Kaisey noted that misdiagnosis is “fairly common,” affecting about 20% of cases, as there is no definitive test for MS.
Five years ago, Applegate publicly shared her MS diagnosis, making infrequent public appearances afterward. She attended one awards event in 2023, acknowledging it as “my last awards show as an actor probably.” The Mayo Clinic describes MS as a disease that damages the protective covering of nerves. Symptoms vary widely, from severe mobility loss to periods of remission where symptoms temporarily alleviate.
Applegate and Sigler, who have relapsing multiple sclerosis, previously embraced their roles as “poster children of MS.” Applegate detailed a profound depression following her diagnosis, questioning life changes and enduring mobility challenges. Despite receiving news of not having MS, Applegate noted, “Nothing magical happened.”
This evolving story continues to impact Applegate deeply as further medical investigations unfold.