Full Breakdown
Christina Applegate Reveals Multiple Sclerosis Misdiagnosis
By Drooid · · How we work
Misdiagnosis Unveiled
On October 20, actress Christina Applegate announced on her “MeSsy” podcast that doctors have determined she does not have multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition she was diagnosed with in 2021. She described the news as “back at square one” because her debilitating neurological symptoms have persisted despite the revised diagnosis.
Earlier Diagnosis and Advocacy
Applegate first disclosed her MS diagnosis in August 2021, shortly after undergoing brain and spinal MRIs, a spinal tap, and receiving a label of relapsing-remitting MS. She subsequently became a prominent advocate, co-hosting the “MeSsy” podcast with fellow actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler—who has lived with MS since 2002—and publishing the memoir *You With the Sad Eyes* in March 2026. The podcast served as a platform for sharing her health journey and raising awareness for the MS community.
Timeline
- 2021 – Initial MS diagnosis announced publicly.
- March 31, 2026 – Applegate and Sigler announced a temporary break from the podcast.
- Late March 2026 – Applegate was hospitalized for several weeks; she later returned home in August.
- October 20 – Applegate revealed the misdiagnosis on a two-part podcast episode and discussed ongoing symptoms.
Data on MS Misdiagnosis
Dr. Marwa Kaisey, an associate professor of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, explained that MS misdiagnoses are “fairly common” because there is no single definitive test. She cited studies indicating that almost one in five people initially diagnosed with MS are later found not to have the disease. “Almost one in five of these people who’d been told they had MS, some for decades, didn’t actually have it,” — Dr. Marwa Kaisey, joined by doctor
Official Statements & Responses
Applegate said the new diagnosis does not alleviate her symptoms; she continues to rely on wheelchairs for medical visits and experiences chronic pain and fatigue.
Dr. Kaisey emphasized the diagnostic challenge, stating, “We don’t have one single test for MS,” and that clinicians must evaluate a list of criteria rather than a definitive laboratory result.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler reassured Applegate that she “didn’t mislead anyone” and encouraged her to remain curious about the next steps in her health journey.
Verbatim Quotes
- “She came into my room and said, 'Congratulations, you don't have MS,'” — Me. Christina
- “It’s hard to say that [my doctor] came into my room and she said, ‘Congratulations, you don’t have MS.'” — Christina Applegate, spokesperson
- “I haven’t gotten better, Jamie. If anything, I’ve gotten worse in some ways. So I’m back at square one where I don’t know what’s going on with me, and that’s going to be an online investigation that my doctors are going to get into to find out what has been happening since 2021. Why did this happen? I have every symptom of someone with MS — every single one.” — Christina Applegate, spokesperson
- “Almost one in five of these people who’d been told they had MS, some for decades, didn’t actually have it,” — Dr. Marwa Kaisey, joined by doctor
What’s Next
Applegate indicated that her medical team will begin a comprehensive evaluation to identify the condition that has mimicked MS since 2021. She plans to continue using the podcast to document the investigation and to maintain her advocacy for people living with chronic neurological illnesses.