Variety has reported that actress Christina Applegate (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Married…with Children) has recently opened up in on her podcast, MeSsy, that her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis was misdiagnosed by her doctor. Applegate was first revealed to be diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis back August of 2021.

Hi friends. A few months ago I was diagnosed with MS. 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 asshole blocks it.

— christina applegate (@1capplegate) August 10, 2021

Multiple Sclerosis is disease that affects the central nervous system. The attacks from MS come from the immune system mistakenly, and the damage can leave scar tissue anywhere in the central nervous system. MS is often diagnosed in young adults ages 20 through 40. Studies show that women are often diagnosed with MS two to three times more frequently than men. Research states that about one in five patients who receive the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis are misdiagnosed.

Applegate revealed on her podcast during her two-part special that the misdiagnosis has come with mixed emotions. Even though her doctors had congratulated her that she ended up not having Multiple Sclerosis, her health still hasn’t improved, further expressing that her health has even gotten worse in some ways. Applegate still hasn’t received an official diagnosis after her MS misdiagnosis on what exactly is wrong with her health, and is worrisome of being back to square one.

Applegate had even announced May of 2023 that she would not be returning to TV and film anymore due to her MS diagnosis. She had last starred in Netflix’s black comedy-crime thriller Dead to Me, alongside actress Linda Cardellini (Scooby-Doo, Crystal Lake), and actor James Marsden (Your Friends & Neighbors, Jury Duty). Through the show, Applegate received her third nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at the 71th Primetime Emmy Awards. The show had ran for three seasons, with the final season released in November 17, 2022.

Applegate also further expressed her difficulty with her MS diagnosis, later revealing in 2023 that because of her MS diagnosis, she been having trouble even getting out of bed, except when she takes her daughter to school.

Applegate’s podcast MeSsy, was first launched back in March of 2024 with episodes releasing weekly. Although, there recently was a seven month break of the podcast due to Applegate’s health. Her podcast is done with her co-host actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler (The Sopranos, How I Met Your Mother). Singler also has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, specifically RMS, which stands for relapsing multiple sclerosis.

Applegate also had recently released her personal memoir called You with the Sad Eyes: A Memoir this past year in March. Her memoir covers her career journey in Hollywood, along with speaking on her health, her personal struggling growing up, and her battle with multiple sclerosis.

There currently is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis, but doctors can refer treatments that specify to speed the recovery from attacks of MS. The National MS Society also invests over $30 million dollars annually, solely dedicated to research of MS.