Christina Applegate says her doctor has determined she does not have multiple sclerosis, despite years of debilitating symptoms. Her medical team will investigate what has caused her ongoing health problems.
Christina Applegate is facing renewed uncertainty about her health after learning that she does not have multiple sclerosis (MS), the condition she was diagnosed with in 2021.
The 54-year-old actress shared the news during her return to the MeSsy podcast on Oct. 20, where she spoke with co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler about the emotional impact of the revised diagnosis.
Despite the news, Applegate said her physical condition has not improved. She continues to experience symptoms that can prevent her from walking from her car to a doctor’s office, sometimes requiring a wheelchair.
The Dead to Me star said the uncertainty has taken a significant emotional toll. She also expressed concern about her place in the MS community, where she and Sigler had shared their experiences with the disease.
Applegate explained that the diagnosis had helped her make sense of years of daily struggles. Learning that she did not have MS left her searching for another explanation for what she has experienced since 2021.
Dr. Marwa Kaisey, an associate professor in neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, joined Applegate and Sigler for a follow-up podcast episode to discuss the diagnostic challenges surrounding MS.
Kaisey explained that diagnosing the disease involves evaluating multiple clinical criteria because there is no single definitive test. She said nearly one in five people previously diagnosed with MS may ultimately be found not to have the condition.
Applegate said her doctors intend to investigate the cause of her symptoms, which have persisted despite the change in diagnosis.
The actress also revealed that she took a break from podcasting to process the news and address other health concerns. Her previous podcast appearance was in March, before Sigler continued recording episodes independently during the hiatus.
Applegate’s revised diagnosis does not resolve her ongoing health difficulties. Instead, she faces further medical investigations to determine what has been affecting her for the past several years.
