Christina Applegate discovers she was misdiagnosed with MS after five years
The actress learned she does not have multiple sclerosis after her doctor suspended her infusion treatment and her body failed to show expected MS responses.
What happened
Christina Applegate, known for roles in Anchorman and Married With Children, revealed on her podcast that she was incorrectly diagnosed with MS in August 2021 and lived with that diagnosis for five years. A few years into treatment, her doctor suggested pausing her infusion therapy to observe her body's reaction. During that period, her body did not respond as an MS patient's would, prompting doctors to reassess her case and conclude she does not have the autoimmune disease. Applegate described being upset and tearful upon learning the news, stating "I'm back at square one where I don't know what's going on with me" and noting that her debilitating symptoms have actually worsened over time. An investigation into her actual condition will begin next week.
Context
MS misdiagnosis is not uncommon—medical experts cited in the source indicate that 15 to 20 percent of patients diagnosed with MS do not actually have the disease. Because MS has no single definitive test and relies instead on symptom patterns and imaging findings (lesions visible on MRI), other conditions including vitamin B12 deficiency, migraines, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can produce similar white matter spots or neurological symptoms. Living with a chronic diagnosis for years and then learning it was incorrect creates significant psychological distress, as doctors note that a diagnosis "becomes part of your identity" and provides a framework for understanding one's suffering. Applegate had publicly discussed her MS diagnosis as profoundly affecting her quality of life, stating in 2024 that she was in "real depression" and did not enjoy living. The case underscores why medical experts recommend patients seek second opinions on serious diagnoses.