After devoting five years to advocating for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), Christina Applegate has disclosed that medical professionals now believe she received an incorrect diagnosis.
In a recent two-part episode of the podcast MeSsy, co-hosted by Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who also has MS, Applegate shared her journey. She took a hiatus from the show to process the news.
Expressing a mix of emotions, Applegate mentioned feeling like she was starting over. Despite the relief of not having MS, she expressed feeling lost as her health continued to deteriorate.
Doctors initially suspected a milder form of MS due to her symptoms. However, further examinations revealed numerous lesions on her brain, leading to the MS diagnosis.
After pausing her treatments a couple of years ago, Applegate’s doctors noticed no change in her condition. This prompted a reevaluation using updated diagnostic criteria, which ultimately determined she did not have MS.
While grappling with the uncertainty of her condition, Applegate expressed feeling like she had let down those who looked to her as a MS advocate. She and Sigler began their podcast in 2024, sharing their experiences with parenting and life challenges while dealing with the disease.
MS is a complex autoimmune condition affecting the central nervous system. It is challenging to diagnose due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions. Misdiagnoses are not uncommon globally, with rates varying between studies.
Applegate’s story sheds light on the importance of accurate diagnoses, as treating a condition a patient doesn’t have can pose risks. In Canada, the misdiagnosis rate is relatively low due to specialized MS care.
Despite the setback, Sigler offered support to Applegate, emphasizing the ongoing significance of her advocacy work. She encouraged Applegate to see the potential for a positive outcome in the future.