Actress Christina Applegate disclosed on the October 20 episode of her MeSsy podcast that a neurologist told her she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The Emmy Award-winning actress, who co-hosts the podcast with Jamie-Lynn Sigler, first publicly announced an MS diagnosis in 2021.
Despite the revised diagnosis, Applegate continues to experience symptoms that significantly affect her daily life and mobility. According to the podcast episode, she still requires wheelchair assistance when visiting medical facilities and cannot walk from the car to the examination room.
Applegate told listeners that medical specialists are actively working to determine the underlying cause of her ongoing health challenges. She described feeling confused and uncertain about the situation, particularly given her role as an advocate for people living with MS alongside Sigler, who has her own MS diagnosis.
Understanding MS Misdiagnosis
Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system. There is no single test to confirm MS, and symptoms vary from person to person. According to medical experts, misdiagnosis occurs in approximately 15 to 20 percent of MS cases.
Misdiagnosis most commonly happens when abnormalities on brain scans are misinterpreted. Lesions on the brain are considered a hallmark of MS, but they can also be caused by other medical conditions including high blood pressure, smoking, or migraines. Advanced MRI sequences and specialized tests can help differentiate between MS lesions and those caused by other conditions.
When a misdiagnosis is identified, doctors begin investigating other potential causes for symptoms. Conditions that can mimic MS include fibromyalgia, certain autoimmune disorders, chronic pain syndromes, migraine, and sleep or thyroid disorders.
