Christina Applegate Says She May Not Have MS
Goldlaner.com – Christina Applegate, a leading MS advocate, says new medical testing has led doctors to conclude that she may not have multiple sclerosis after all. The reversal has left the actor with renewed uncertainty because the serious symptoms that shaped her life and advocacy have continued.
Applegate shared the news on “MeSsy,” the podcast she co-hosts with actor Jamie Lynn Sigler, who also lives with MS. She had been away from the podcast for seven months while her health worsened, with Sigler continuing to host during that time.
When Applegate returned, she described becoming emotional after a doctor brought her recent test results. She said newer technology had apparently ruled out MS, but the development did not bring the relief others expected.
“It’s hard to say, but she came into my room and she said, ‘Congratulations, you don’t have MS.’”
A diagnosis reversal brings more questions
For Applegate, the earlier diagnosis had offered an explanation for numbness and tingling in her arms and legs, coordination problems, balance issues and difficulty walking. Without it, she said she is again searching for answers about what is causing her symptoms.
“This may come as good news … but I’m back at square one.”
Applegate was originally diagnosed with MS in 2021 and became one of the most recognizable people speaking publicly about the condition. As Christina Applegate, a leading MS advocate, she and Sigler built their podcast around candid conversations about chronic illness, disability and the everyday challenges associated with MS.
The revised conclusion does not mean Applegate is feeling better. She said she remains ill, has continued to decline and still requires mobility support.
“I haven’t gotten better, Jamie! If anything, I’ve gotten worse. So I’m back at square one where I don’t know what’s going on with me.”
Earlier this year, Applegate told People magazine that illness had kept her in bed much of the time. She also said her health had worsened enough that she had to leave her Netflix series “Dead to Me,” which concluded with its third season in November 2022.
Her memoir, “You With the Sad Eyes,” explored the impact of what was then understood to be an MS diagnosis. Doctors are now expected to continue investigating the cause of the symptoms she has experienced since 2021 and why the original conclusion was reached.
Why an accurate MS diagnosis matters
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease affecting the nervous system. It can cause disabling symptoms, and early treatment may be important for people who do have the condition. That makes a careful, accurate diagnosis essential.
The two-part “MeSsy” discussion also addressed the broader issue of MS misdiagnosis. Dr. Marwa Kaisey, an associate professor in the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center department of neurology and co-author of a study on the subject, joined Applegate and Sigler.
The study, “Incidence of multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis in referrals to two academic centers,” found that nearly one in five people referred with an MS diagnosis did not fully meet the disease’s diagnostic criteria and had a more likely alternative explanation for their symptoms.
Kaisey said some people had spent years believing they had MS and had been prescribed treatment. She emphasized the difficult balance clinicians face: prompt treatment can help when MS is confirmed, while an incorrect diagnosis can have lasting consequences.
“We’re so eager to get people diagnosed because we know that the earlier we start them on treatment the better they’re going to do decades from then,” Kaisey said. “But at the same time we have to be really careful to give them the accurate diagnosis.”
For Christina Applegate, a leading MS advocate, the reported reversal highlights how a changed diagnosis can be both significant and unsettling. It may remove one explanation, but it does not resolve the symptoms that still require medical attention.
FAQ: MS diagnosis and ongoing symptoms
Can MS symptoms continue after doctors rule out MS?
Yes. Symptoms such as numbness, balance trouble, fatigue and mobility changes can have different possible causes. A clinician can help determine what additional evaluation is appropriate.
Why might an MS diagnosis be reconsidered?
New testing, improved technology or a review of earlier findings may lead doctors to reassess whether a person meets the diagnostic standards for MS or whether another condition better explains the symptoms.
What should someone do if they have concerns about an MS diagnosis?
Discuss the concern with the treating medical team and ask what findings support the diagnosis, what other explanations have been considered and whether further specialist review or testing is needed.