Actress Christina Applegate has announced that she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurological autoimmune condition, after initially receiving the diagnosis in 2021. The revelation came during an episode of her podcast, MeSsy, co-hosted with Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who has lived with MS for over two decades.

Applegate, known for her role in the sitcom *Married... with Children*, said the news that she did not have MS left her feeling unsettled rather than relieved. Despite the correction, she continues to experience serious symptoms including difficulty walking, problems with balance, coordination issues, and numbness in her extremities. "You don’t get misdiagnosed and then all of a sudden I’m better," she told Sigler, adding that her condition has not improved and, in some ways, has worsened. She also noted that she still requires the use of a wheelchair for mobility in certain situations.

The actress described the journey from diagnosis to the reevaluation as deeply confusing and disorienting. Initially, brain lesions detected through MRI scans and her resulting symptoms led doctors to diagnose her with MS. However, when she paused treatment as advised by her medical team, her body’s response was inconsistent with the expected progression of the disease, prompting further investigation and ultimately confirming the misdiagnosis.

Applegate said that receiving the diagnosis had provided a sense of explanation and a path forward, while the reversal has left her “back at square one” with no clear understanding of the cause of her symptoms. She emphasized the challenge of managing debilitating symptoms without a definitive diagnosis, stating that she now faces an uncertain medical outlook as physicians work to identify the true condition affecting her.

Multiple sclerosis affects nearly three million people worldwide and can be difficult to diagnose accurately, with some studies estimating misdiagnosis rates as high as 18 percent. Common issues contributing to misdiagnosis include the over-reliance on MRI imaging and the similarity of symptoms with other disorders.

Applegate’s experience highlights the complexities of diagnosing MS and the impact such an error can have on a patient’s life. She previously retired from acting following her diagnosis and had become an advocate for people living with the disease. Now, as she undergoes further medical evaluation, she and her medical team aim to clarify the cause of her ongoing health challenges.