Christina Applegate Says She Was Misdiagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis

American actor Christina Applegate has revealed that she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), four years after publicly announcing that she was living with the neurological condition. Applegate shared the update on her podcast, *MeSsy*, which she co-hosts with fellow actor Jamie-Lynn Sigler. She said she had not received a new diagnosis and admitted that the uncertainty had been emotionally difficult. The actor, who has become a prominent advocate for people living with MS, said she felt she had let others down following the news.

Why Multiple Sclerosis Can Be Misdiagnosed

MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. Its symptoms vary and may include difficulty walking, vision problems, fatigue, pain, numbness, coordination difficulties and cognitive changes. According to Dr. Michael Kornberg, an associate professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University, diagnosing MS can be challenging because no single test definitively identifies the condition in every patient while ruling out other illnesses. Doctors typically combine a patient's neurological symptoms with brain MRI findings and, where necessary, additional tests such as spinal fluid analysis. Conditions with similar symptoms or unusual neurological findings can sometimes lead to an incorrect diagnosis.

Experts Encourage Second Opinions

Kornberg said research suggests that between five and 20 per cent of people initially diagnosed with MS may eventually be found to have another condition. He recommended seeking a second opinion from a neurologist experienced in MS when symptoms or test results raise concerns about the diagnosis. Symptoms that appear and disappear quickly, or occur alongside issues such as joint swelling or skin rashes, may warrant further investigation for other conditions.

Uncertainty Adds to Applegate's Challenges

Kornberg described the situation as troubling because an incorrect diagnosis can delay appropriate treatment and leave patients without answers about persistent symptoms. He noted that having a diagnosis questioned after several years can be particularly difficult for someone who believed they understood what was happening to their body. Applegate's medical team is expected to reassess her symptoms and explore other possible explanations. The actor has not publicly disclosed a replacement diagnosis.

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