Actress Christina Applegate has revealed that her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was incorrect, sharing the shocking news during a recent appearance on her “MeSsy” podcast. Applegate, 54, co-hosts the program with Jamie-Lynn Sigler and became emotional while discussing the revelation that she had been misdiagnosed with the chronic condition more than five years ago.
Recounting the moment she received the news, Applegate grew tearful on the show. She recalled a medical professional entering her room and offering congratulations, telling her she did not have MS. Rather than feeling relief, the actress said she was unhappy, noting that everyone else around her was thrilled while she remained in a state of shock, describing the situation as a confusing ordeal.
Dr. Marwa Kaisey, an associate professor in the neurology department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, appeared on the podcast episode to discuss the broader issue, confirming that multiple sclerosis misdiagnoses are fairly common. Kaisey explained that physicians do not have a single definitive test for the condition, comparing it to straightforward diagnostics like a pregnancy test, and noted that diagnosis instead relies on a specific set of criteria.
According to Kaisey, approximately one in five individuals who had been told they had multiple sclerosis—some for decades—did not actually have the disease, and a majority of them were taking medication to treat it.
For Applegate, the correction brought no physical relief. She expressed frustration that despite the revised diagnosis, her physical symptoms remain and have even worsened. Returning to square one, the actress stated that she and her medical team must now investigate what has been happening since 2021 to determine the true cause of her health struggles.
Spanning two episodes of her podcast, Applegate detailed the profound personal toll the situation has taken on her life, including a deep depression. She noted that the condition had previously halted her career and life trajectory, requiring her to continue using wheelchairs for medical visits because she cannot walk from her car to the examination room. Emphasizing that no miraculous recovery accompanied the revised diagnosis, she explained that she remains in the same physical reality.
The actress also reflected on the awkward position she now occupies after becoming a prominent public figure within the multiple sclerosis support community. She admitted to feeling as though she let people down, explaining that she had served as a prominent advocate alongside her co-host and had attributed her daily struggles to the condition. Without that explanation, she described the current state as unnerving and confusing.
Applegate was originally diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021 and recently returned to her podcast following a seven-month hiatus.
