Christina Applegate reveals the tiny MS symptom she experienced that gave away condition years before diagnosis
Topics: Christina Applegate, Netflix, Health
Stefania Sarrubba
Featured Image Credit: Good Morning America
Topics: Christina Applegate, Netflix, Health
Christina Applegate once revealed the minor symptoms she experienced shortly before receiving her devastating multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
The Anchorman star first publicly spoke up about her MS diagnosis in August 2021, saying she had been diagnosed in the previous months.
Following the announcement, the actress reprised the role of Jen Harding on the third and final season of Netflix dark comedy Dead To Me, having to make adjustments to her schedule and finding alternative ways to help her with mobility on set.
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Applegate has since spoken candidly about MS, which is a life-altering condition affecting both the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms can include issues with vision, arm or leg movements, sensation or balance, muscle stiffness, numbness and problems with thinking, learning and planning.
Women have usually a greater chance to develop MS compared to men, with diagnosis most commonly occurring between 20 and 40.
Last year, Applegate reflected on her MS journey, explaining she had some 'tiny' signs of the condition which she dismissed as tiredness. Have a listen:
"My symptoms had started in the early part of 2021, and it was, like, literally just tingling on my toes," she said on Good Morning America.
"And by the time we started shooting in the summer of that same year, I was being brought to set in a wheelchair. Like, I couldn’t walk that far."
The actor explained how that turned into her legs fully giving way under her - something that led to her believing she had the disease years before she was actually diagnosed.
"I really just kind of put it off as being tired, or I’m dehydrated, or it’s the weather. And then nothing would happen for, like, months, and I didn’t pay attention," she added.
Applegate went on to say that she's in 'excruciating pain' every single day, but she's got to the point where she's 'used to it now'.
"Right now, I’m isolating. That’s kind of how I’m dealing with it, is by, like, not going anywhere, because I don’t want to do it. It’s hard," she added.
This comes after Applegate received a standing ovation at the Emmys in January last year when presenting an award. As the actor took to the podium in Los Angeles, the whole audience rose to their feet, leaving Applegate visibly moved by the reception.
"Thank you so much! Oh my God! You're totally shaming me [and my] disability by standing up," the star said.