Christina Applegate recently gave a candid update on her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS) during a heartfelt conversation on her podcast, MeSsy. The Emmy-winning actress, widely beloved for her roles in Married… with Children and Dead to Me, shared intimate details about the toll the condition has taken on her daily life, from constant pain to mobility challenges. Diagnosed with MS in 2021, Applegate has since stepped back from acting to focus on her health and family, and she continues to advocate for awareness of the condition.
So, what is MS, and why does it cause symptoms like pain and fatigue? And for those managing the condition, what steps can ease discomfort and improve quality of life? Here’s what to know.
Christina Applegate’s life with MS: The latest health update
During the Nov. 5 episode of MeSsy, Applegate, 52, described living with MS as “a full-time job.” She shared that her most debilitating symptom is nerve pain in her feet, which she described as feeling like fire or a vice grip, making even simple activities, such as walking or standing, overwhelming. As a result, she’s had to adapt her daily routines and rely on assistive devices like canes. “I lay in bed screaming” because of the pain, Applegate said. “It’s something that’s with me 24/7,” she went on to explain to co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler and guest Rory Kandel, both of whom also have MS.
Applegate also spoke about the emotional and physical toll of the disease, highlighting how while she may look healthy externally, much of her experience can’t be seen. “I can’t even pick up my phone sometimes, ’cause now it’s traveled into my hands,” she detailed.
Despite these challenges, Applegate maintained her characteristic humor, attributing her reality to the “beauty of the invisible disease.” “I just lay in bed all the time. I mean, I worked for almost 50 years, so I’m like, I’m kind of okay with it,” she laughed.
Christina Applegate’s early MS symptoms
For the beloved actress, the disease began with small, almost imperceptible changes. And she missed many of the early signs: A struggle to stay balanced during a dancing scene while shooting the first season of Dead to Me and a change to her tennis game. “I wish I had paid attention,” she shared with the New York Times. “But who was I to know?”
It was actually Applegate’s long-time friend, actress Selma Blair, who also has MS, who spotted the first signs. “I was sitting in Selma’s living room, our children playing, and I told Selma I’d been having this weird tingling in my feet,” Applegate recalled to British Vogue. “She said, ‘You must get tested for MS.’ [Even my doctor doubted it] but there it was. In essence, because of her, I’m going to have a better quality of life.”
When Applegate was first diagnosed, she took to social media to ask for support—and for privacy.
“Hi friends. A few months ago I was diagnosed with MS,” the tweet read. “It’s been a strange journey. But I have been so supported by people that I know who also have this condition. It’s been a tough road. But as we all know, the road keeps going. Unless some a—— blocks it.”
Applegate followed her tweet with a request from her followers. “As one of my friends that has MS said ‘we wake up and take the indicated action.’ And that’s what I do. So now I ask for privacy. As I go through this thing. Thank you xo,” she wrote.
What is multiple sclerosis (MS)?
“Multiple sclerosis can be thought of as a neurological condition because of how its symptoms manifest, but at its core, it is an autoimmune condition,” explains Thomas Pontinen, MD, LCP-C, Co-founder and physician at Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists. “The immune system malfunctions and attacks the myelin, a protective layer that forms around nerve fibers in the brain and the spinal cord.” This leads to communication disruptions between the brain and the rest of the body.
Dr. Pontinen adds that “different individuals have different responses…and experience widely different symptoms as a result.” Some may experience mild symptoms, while others face progressive disability. In short, MS is unpredictable, and while there is no cure, treatments can help manage symptoms and slow progression.
Early signs of MS to watch for
Dr. Pontinen shares that women are far more likely to develop MS, especially if they have a family history of the condition. However, early warning signs of MS can be subtle and are often mistaken for other conditions. “Early signs include fatigue and weakness, although those symptoms alone may not be enough to lead to a diagnosis in some cases,” says Dr. Pontinen. “As the condition progresses, patients might experience muscle spasms and the beginnings of neuropathic pain.”
Another common early symptom, he adds, is trigeminal neuralgia, “which can feel like a sudden, intense shocking or stabbing pain in the face. Some patients experience eyesight problems as well.”
“Pain associated with MS usually happens in the arms and legs, the face or the back,” says Dr. Pontinen. “It’s usually characterized by burning or tingling discomfort in the affected areas,” as in Applegate’s case. Muscle stiffness and spasms, known as spasticity, are common sources of discomfort. “Some patients describe the painful sensation of MS as ‘electrical’ or ‘shocking,’” adds Dr. Pontinen, otherwise known as neuropathic pain.
Advocating for MS awareness
“We rarely hear stories about people, especially famous people, living with MS, or chronic pain for that matter,” comments Dr. Pontinen. “I am hoping her brave choice to speak up is something that will inspire more people in her condition to tell their stories and help raise awareness about this experience.”
Additional reporting by Alexandra Pollock
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
