Actor Christina Applegate announced on Tuesday that she does not have multiple sclerosis, more than five years after her initial diagnosis. Applegate shared the information on her podcast, MeSsy, stating that her doctor recently informed her of the misdiagnosis following a period of medical monitoring.
The reassessment began several years ago when Applegate’s doctor stopped an infusion treatment to monitor her B cell count. According to Applegate, the cell count remained stable despite the lack of treatment, leading to a further study of her condition. Dr. Marwa Kaisey, an associate professor of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center who appeared on the podcast, stated that misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis is fairly common, affecting nearly one in five people told they have the condition.
Applegate reported that her initial diagnosis was based on spinal taps, MRIs, and brain lesions. Despite the new findings, she stated that her physical symptoms have not improved and have potentially worsened since 2021. She continues to experience debilitating symptoms, including numbness, balance issues, and tingling in her limbs, which she said previously required her to use a cane or a wheelchair.
For Applegate and others in similar positions, the concrete daily reality involves managing chronic symptoms like mobility loss and numbness while navigating a healthcare system that may not yet have a clear answer. Applegate, who is 54, reported attending physical therapy three times a week and previously noted that her physical condition affected her ability to work on camera during the filming of the series "Dead To Me." The shift from a known diagnosis to "square one" means that patients must restart the diagnostic process, which can involve new rounds of imaging and testing, potentially delaying appropriate care for the true condition.
The case sets a precedent for the importance of ongoing diagnostic review, especially when patients do not respond to standard treatments in expected ways. It also highlights the psychological impact on patients who have publicly identified with a specific medical community; Applegate expressed that the news felt "unnerving" and made her feel as though she had let down the MS community where she had been an advocate. A new medical investigation into Applegate’s symptoms is scheduled to begin next week to determine the cause of her health issues since 2021.