Christina Applegate expressed her emotional struggles with multiple sclerosis (MS) during a recent episode of her podcast “MeSsy,” which aired on January 6, 2024. The 54-year-old actress shared her frustrations and fears related to a recent flare-up of her condition, revealing how it deeply resonates with many who face similar challenges.
In the episode, cohost Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Applegate read a poignant letter from a listener named Steven. Steven, who lives with myasthenia gravis (MG), another autoimmune disease affecting voluntary muscles, wrote about the toll the illness has taken on him over the past seven years. He expressed his determination to explore new treatments, including participation in a promising CAR-T clinical trial, while humorously wishing to trade his condition for something less severe.
Applegate became visibly emotional as she reflected on Steven’s words, which she found relatable, saying, “I’m reading it and I’m trying not to start being a crybaby again… I’m really touched by the fact that we’re all sitting in that space.” She then shared her own experience with a recent MS flare-up, stating, “Like yesterday, I was walking, kind of OK. … Today, I was falling over, stumbling. I just feel like, is it taking me? Is it taking me day by day, piece by piece?”
The actress disclosed her MS diagnosis in August 2021, explaining that her symptoms began earlier that year with tingling in her toes. She recalled struggling to walk during the filming of the first season of Netflix’s “Dead to Me,” saying, “By the time we started shooting in the summer… I couldn’t walk that far.” In a post on X at the time, Applegate acknowledged the support she received from others with the condition, noting, “It’s been a tough road. But as we all know, the road keeps going.”
Applegate has been candid about her journey with MS, frequently sharing updates through her podcast and social media. Her cohost, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who has lived with MS since 2002, also brings a unique perspective to their discussions, having kept her health struggles private until 2016.
The impact of Applegate’s health issues extends beyond her own experience. She has spoken about how her condition has affected her family, particularly her husband Martyn LeNoble and their 15-year-old daughter, Sadie. During a podcast episode in August, she described moments where she struggles to move, stating, “Right now, I can barely get to the bathroom… It’s broken her.” She expressed the pain of her daughter witnessing her decline, saying, “It was like losing the mom she had to this thing.”
Through her openness, Applegate aims to raise awareness about MS and the emotional toll it can take on both patients and their families. Her willingness to share these intimate moments sheds light on the realities of living with a chronic illness, encouraging others to speak out and seek support. Applegate’s journey continues to resonate with many, providing a sense of connection and understanding within the community dealing with similar challenges.
