Actress Christina Applegate has revealed that she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition she believed she had been living with for the past five years. During a recent episode of her Messy podcast, which she co-hosts with Jamie Sigler, Applegate shared that she was “not happy at all” when she received the news, noting that she was in tears upon discovering the error. The road keeps on going, but as we all know.
Reflecting on the impact of the correction, the Anchorman and Married With Children star stated, “You don’t get misdiagnosed and then all of the sudden I’m better. If anything, I’ve gotten worse.” She described feeling as though she is “back at square one,” facing a future where she still does not understand the root cause of her debilitating daily symptoms. I don’t enjoy things anymore”.
The uncertainty began when her physician suggested pausing her MS infusion treatments several years ago to observe how her body reacted. When her system did not show the expected response associated with the autoimmune disease, further medical investigations led doctors to confirm she did not have MS. She recalled the moment her doctor informed her, saying, “Congratulations, you don’t have MS,” a declaration that left her distressed rather than relieved.
Medical experts note that misdiagnoses for MS are not uncommon, as there is no single diagnostic test for the condition. Dr. Marwa Kaisey explained that MS is identified based on a specific list of criteria rather than a definitive test like a pregnancy screening. Research suggests that between 15% and 20% of patients originally diagnosed with MS may actually have other conditions.
Physicians often diagnose the disease by identifying lesions or white matter spots through MRI scans of the brain and spinal cord.
However, Dr. Elena Grebenciucova of Northwestern Medicine noted that these markers can be confused with other issues, such as high blood pressure, migraines, or elevated blood sugar. Additionally, a vitamin B12 deficiency can trigger neurological problems that closely mirror the balance issues, cognitive decline, and tingling sensations common in MS patients.
Dr. Michael Kornberg, an associate professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins, emphasized the psychological toll such a diagnostic pivot takes. He noted that for many, the illness becomes part of their identity, and living with that label for five years only to be told it was wrong can be deeply unsettling. Dr. Philip De Jager, director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Columbia University, advises that patients should always seek second opinions given the complexity of the diagnosis. According to misdiagnoses can be extremely distressing for people dealing with chronic illnesses,, Dr Michael Kornberg.
Applegate was initially diagnosed with MS in August 2021 after enduring a “tough road” of symptoms. Her health journey has been difficult, with the actress previously sharing in a 2024 podcast episode that she had fallen into a deep depression and no longer enjoyed daily life. During the production of the Netflix series Dead to Me, she struggled significantly, utilizing a wheelchair and requiring a cane to walk. Carrying a cane as she receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2022, applegate with her Dead to Me costar Linda Cardellini.
Following a short break to process the new medical findings, Applegate plans to begin a fresh investigation into the cause of her health struggles starting next week. She is currently working to navigate the unknown path forward after years of managing what she now knows was a misidentified condition.
