Christina Applegate reveals the tiny MS symptom she experienced that gave away condition 7 years before diagnosis

Christina Applegate has revealed the 'tiny' multiple sclerosis symptom she experienced that gave away her condition seven years before she was diagnosed.

The 52-year-old - best known for her roles in Anchorman, Bad Moms and Married…With Children - revealed to fans that she had been diagnosed with MS in 2021.

Taking to X at the time, the actor penned: "It's been a strange journey. But I have been so supported by people that I know who also have this condition.

"It’s been a tough road. But as we all know, the road keeps going. Unless some a**hole blocks it."

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What is multiple sclerosis?

MS is a serious health condition which affects both the brain and spinal cord.

Symptoms of the condition include issues with vision, arm or leg movements, sensation or balance, muscle stiffness, numbness and problems with thinking, learning and planning.

As for stats, women are more than two - three times more likely to develop MS than men - with diagnosis most commonly occurring between 20 and 40.

Applegate has spoken openly surrounding her condition in recent years, stating recently how she ignored 'tiny' signs she had the disease.

Opening up on the 'tiny' signs before the diagnosis

Speaking on Good Morning America on Wednesday, Applegate explained how the symptoms began just before she started filming the third season of Dead To Me.

She said: "My symptoms had started in the early part of 2021, and it was, like, literally just tingling on my toes.

"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.

Adjusting to life with MS

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'.

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"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 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.