Christina Applegate misdiagnosed with MS after nearly six years

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 14:54 · Archive

Christina Applegate has revealed she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis and is now being tested for conditions with similar symptoms.

Christina Applegate revealed on her podcast MeSsy that she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis after living with the diagnosis for nearly six years. A doctor confirmed she does not have the condition, leaving her, as she put it, 'back at square one'.

Applegate is now undergoing tests for other conditions that can mimic MS symptoms, including lupus, Lyme disease and rheumatoid arthritis. On a recent episode of her podcast with co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler and guest Jack Osbourne, she explained the process: 'We're going into square one, just doing some testing and going one by one of the sister diseases to MS. You've got RA and you've got lupus and Lyme disease and all these things that can mimic MS. So I'm being tested for all that stuff slowly but surely.'

Despite the relief of finally learning the correct diagnosis, Applegate said the news was not positive. 'I haven't gotten better! If anything, I've gotten worse,' she told podcast listeners. 'Everybody else was so happy. You don't get misdiagnosed and then all of a sudden I'm better.' She added that she has 'gone through a great depression' over the misdiagnosis and 'lost everything'.

Applegate is struggling with her identity following the revelation. When Osbourne said he sometimes feels like 'a bit of a fraud' based on his MS symptoms, Applegate responded, 'Talk about being a fraud. I don't even have it anymore.' She acknowledged that shaking that identity has been difficult: 'I lived as a person with MS for almost six years. It's hard for me to try to shake that identity because it's been my identity for so long.'

However, Applegate remains committed to the MS community. 'I'll never leave this community. I've made so many lifelong friends. I care so deeply about everybody we represent. I'm still always gonna be a part of it one way or another,' she said. Both Osbourne and Sigler reassured her she remains an 'honorary member' of the community. The actress retired from acting in 2023 due to her health issues.

Christina Applegate misdiagnosed with MS after nearly six years — Image: Evening Standard

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How it is being reported

Christina Applegate gives latest health update after MS misdiagnosisChristina Applegate is coming to terms with her mistaken MS diagnosis (Picture: AFP) Christina Applegate has revealed she is being tested conditions which share symptoms similar to multiple sclerosis (MS) after she was mistakenly being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease. The Married…With…Metro · 5 Nov, 14:39
Christina Applegate tested for lupus and Lyme disease after MS misdiagnosisApplegate revealed on her podcast last month that she had been misdiagnosed with the autoimmune condition.Evening Standard · 3 Nov, 17:12
‘Frustrated’ Christina Applegate reveals tough new challenge after MS misdiagnosis: ‘I need to get my s–t together’The actress told "MeSsy" podcast listeners in October that she doesn't have multiple sclerosis -- but still suffers debilitating symptoms.New York Post · 3 Nov, 16:27

In this story: Christina Applegate · Jamie-Lynn Sigler · Jack Osbourne · MeSsy

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