Christina Applegate Opens Up About the Early MS Signs She Overlooked

Christina Applegate has revealed she initially dismissed the first symptoms of her multiple sclerosis. The 54-year-old actress discussed her experience with Robin Roberts on “Good Morning America,” appearing with her friend and fellow actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, known for her role in “The Sopranos.”

Applegate first noticed symptoms in early 2021, starting with a simple tingling sensation in her toes. She described it as, “literally just tingling on my toes.”

During filming of her Netflix series “Dead To Me” that summer, she began using a wheelchair on set because she had difficulty walking even short distances. She explained, “By the time we started shooting, I needed to be wheeled onto set – I just couldn’t walk that far.”

Applegate received an official diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2021, but she thinks she may have been experiencing symptoms for up to seven years prior. During an interview, she shared that she used to have episodes where her legs would suddenly weaken, but she initially attributed it to things like tiredness, not drinking enough water, or changes in the weather. She explained, “I just assumed it was fatigue, dehydration, or the weather. Then it would stop for months, so I didn’t think much of it.”

Applegate discussed the significant physical and emotional challenges of living with multiple sclerosis. She shared that she constantly lives with pain and sometimes withdraws from others as a way to manage it. “It’s often called the invisible disease because it’s difficult for people to understand,” she explained. “I’m in constant, severe pain, but I’ve become accustomed to it. Currently, I’m choosing to isolate myself – I just don’t want to go out and face it, and it’s really hard.”

The actress called the experience “really tough” and explained how challenging it is to deal with a hidden illness while still working. Fans have applauded Applegate for being so open about what she’s going through, noting that her honesty could help others with similar health issues.

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2026-03-07 02:15