Christina Applegate Reveals Misdiagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis After Five Years

Christina Applegate, the actress and MS advocate, disclosed Tuesday that she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis over five years ago. The 54-year-old shared this revelation on a special double episode of her podcast MeSsy, explaining how her doctors recently discovered she never had the chronic disease after all.

Discovery of the Misdiagnosis

Applegate explained that her doctor initiated an evaluation “a few years ago” by stopping her infusion treatment to observe changes in her B cell counts. The results showed no change, prompting a reexamination of her diagnosis. Eventually, her doctor informed her, “Congratulations, you don’t have MS,” a moment Applegate described as unexpectedly upsetting, even though others were relieved.

Symptoms and Medical History

Despite the misdiagnosis, Applegate continues to experience severe symptoms affecting her daily life and mobility. She emphasized, “You don’t get misdiagnosed and then all of the sudden I’m better.” Since 2021, her condition has worsened, leading to ongoing investigations to determine the cause of her symptoms. She undergoes physical therapy three times a week and has previously described numbness, balance issues, and tingling in her limbs. In a 2022 New York Times interview, she revealed she “can’t walk without a cane” and used a wheelchair during filming of Netflix’s “Dead To Me,” with the script adjusted to her needs.

Challenges of MS Diagnosis

The podcast featured Dr. Marwa Kaisey, associate professor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, who highlighted that nearly one in five people told they have MS were misdiagnosed. She attributed this to the lack of a definitive test for the disease. At the time of Applegate’s initial diagnosis, she underwent spinal taps and MRIs which showed brain lesions, commonly associated with MS.

Emotional Impact and Next Steps

Applegate expressed feelings of confusion and distress over the news, stating it made her feel “like I let everybody down.” She described the situation as “very unnerving.” The investigation into her symptoms is set to begin next week as doctors seek to understand what has been occurring since 2021 and why her diagnosis was incorrect. Applegate’s journey sheds light on the complexities and uncertainties surrounding neurological diagnoses.

While no longer diagnosed with MS, Applegate’s health challenges continue, and she remains committed to finding answers with her medical team.