Actress Christina Applegate remains MS advocate after misdiagnosis

Actress Christina Applegate announced on Tuesday that she will continue to serve as a public advocate for people with multiple sclerosis, even after confirming she was misdiagnosed with the autoimmune disease. The update came during a new episode of her podcast, MeSsy, which she co-hosts with actress Jamie Lynn Sigler.

Applegate, 54, first told the public in 2021 that doctors had diagnosed her with MS. Last week, she revealed on the show that a physician recently informed her she does not have the disorder. She described that initial reaction as feeling like she was back at square one, particularly because her health seemed to be deteriorating at the same time.

During the Tuesday episode, Applegate detailed specific struggles with her daily mobility. She said she timed herself getting out of bed and stood for 10 minutes before she could stand up. She explained that she often struggles to walk to the bathroom and now keeps a walker next to her bed to help with movement. She noted that these mobility issues are new to her.

"I don't know what's going on," Applegate said. "You know, this is what I'm still living with." She added that she has never had these specific difficulties before, which makes it hard to determine if her condition is worsening or if the symptoms are simply new.

Applegate stated that she intends to keep co-hosting MeSsy and will continue raising awareness about both MS and the risk of misdiagnosis. She said she is glad to discuss these topics but did not want to create panic. "I can't get my hopes up," she told listeners. She emphasized that the news is an adjustment for everyone involved.

Dr. Marwa Kaisey, a neurologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, appeared on a previous episode of the podcast. She noted that approximately 20% of patients initially diagnosed with MS do not have the condition. Medical professionals explain that no single test can confirm an MS diagnosis. The process relies on symptoms and various test results that can change over time, which sometimes leads to errors in diagnosis.

Applegate said she has received support from the community following her announcement about the misdiagnosis. She is continuing to seek medical care to understand her current symptoms.