Actress Christina Applegate Says She Was Misdiagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

Actress Christina Applegate disclosed on Tuesday that recent medical testing has shown she was never diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, overturning a diagnosis she received more than five years ago. The revelation was shared during a double episode of her podcast MeSsy, which she co-hosts with Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

Applegate explained that her doctor stopped an infusion treatment to monitor her B-cell levels, which did not change, leading to a re-examination of her condition. The doctor then informed her that she does not have MS. Applegate said the news left her feeling unsettled and that she will undergo further investigation to determine the cause of her symptoms.

"She came into my room and said, 'Congratulations, you don't have MS,'" Applegate recounted.

"You don't get misdiagnosed and then all of a sudden I'm better. If anything, I've gotten worse. So I'm back at square one where I don't know what's going on with me," she added.

Neurology associate professor Dr. Marwa Kaisey, speaking on the podcast, noted that about one in five people initially told they have multiple sclerosis are later found not to have the disease, citing the lack of a definitive test as a factor in frequent misdiagnoses.

Applegate said she continues to experience debilitating symptoms, including numbness, balance issues, and tingling, and that she undergoes physical therapy three times a week. She indicated that a medical investigation will begin next week to explore the underlying cause of her condition.

The actress, who has previously used a cane and wheelchair for mobility and has spoken publicly about her health challenges, said the misdiagnosis has prompted her to reassess her health outlook.