Hollywood Shocker: Christina Applegate's Devastating MS Misdiagnosis Revealed
Christina Applegate has revealed on her podcast, "MeSsy," that she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis after years of advocating for the disease. Despite the new information, the actress stated she is not better and still suffers from debilitating symptoms, leaving her feeling lost and confused about her health.
Actress Christina Applegate made a highly anticipated return to her podcast, "MeSsy," on Tuesday, sharing a shocking health revelation that she had been misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). After a seven-month hiatus from the podcast due to her health struggles, Applegate tearfully disclosed this discovery in a two-part episode, attributing it to advancements in new technology.
Despite what might seem like good news, Applegate expressed profound disappointment and confusion, stating, "This may come as great news, but to me, I’m back at square one." She recounted her doctor's words, "Congratulations, you don’t have MS," but emphasized she was "not happy at all" about the news. She explained, "You don’t get misdiagnosed and then all of the sudden I’m better. I haven’t gotten better … If anything, I’ve gotten worse in some ways. So I’m back at square one, that I don’t know what’s going on with me."
Applegate initially revealed her MS diagnosis in 2021, which subsequently led to her retirement from acting after the finale of her acclaimed series, "Dead to Me," the following year. Since her diagnosis, she had become a vocal advocate for individuals living with MS, a disease that affects the central nervous system. She co-launched the "MeSsy" podcast alongside "The Sopranos" star Jamie-Lynn Sigler to share her personal experiences and raise awareness about the condition.
The misdiagnosis, however, has plunged Applegate into a new state of uncertainty, as her debilitating symptoms persist without a clear explanation. She affirmed, "I have every symptom of someone with MS. Every single one," acknowledging that many conditions can mimic MS. She also highlighted that misdiagnoses with MS are not uncommon. "It’s clear now that they’re finding something different," Applegate added, indicating that another underlying health issue is at play.
Applegate also conveyed a sense of guilt and betrayal towards the MS community, feeling like she "let everybody down" after becoming such a prominent advocate. She described her current emotional state as one of "shock" and called the experience a "mindfuck." Reflecting on her previous role as a "poster child for MS" with Sigler, she lamented, "I had a reason. I had a fucking reason as to why my day sucked every day. And now I don’t have a reason and it’s very unnerving and it’s really confusing for me."
In the second part of the podcast episode, Applegate became emotional as she reflected on the past five years and her current feelings of confusion. "I’m still here feeling quite hollow and quite scared and sad. Now, I just feel lost," she shared. Breaking down in tears, she explained, "I’ve gone through a great depression because of it. But, you know, I lost everything. I lost my job... God, I’m so sorry, I get really emotional because it stopped my life. I still have to use wheelchairs when I go to the doctor’s office. I can’t walk from the car to the room. I mean, I’m still in this. Nothing magical happened when she said, ‘You don’t have MS.’ Nothing magical happened."