Christina Applegate opened up about her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a candid interview on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast, describing it as the worst thing that has happened in her entire life. She revealed that she has 30 lesions on her brain, with the biggest one behind her right eye, causing her a lot of pain. While her vision has not been affected, MS has impacted her mobility, sometimes leading to seizures and difficulty with her hand movements. The disease is a result of the immune system attacking the protective covering around the nerves, disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
During the interview, Applegate admitted to being the “worst MSer” and often opting to go back to bed when experiencing pain instead of stretching her muscles. She described MS as a “mean girl” that pushes back if she exerts herself too much physically, making it difficult for her to overcome the challenges it presents. Despite her frustration and anger towards the disease, she emphasized the importance of speaking truthfully about her experience with MS, as she regretted not doing so during her battle with breast cancer in the past.
In addition to her MS diagnosis, Applegate has a history of battling cancer, undergoing a double mastectomy in 2008 for breast cancer and having her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed in 2017 as a preventive measure against ovarian cancer. She has been open about the daily struggles she faces with MS, including incontinence issues, which have led her to use diapers at times. Despite these challenges, she finds humor in being able to park in handicapped spots and board planes early when traveling, maintaining a sense of levity amidst her health struggles.
Applegate has also used humor to cope with her condition in public appearances, such as at the Emmys where she joked about being shamed for receiving a standing ovation and playfully used a cane with the message “FU MS.” While she has hinted that the 2023 SAG Awards would be her last awards show as an actor, she continues to maintain a positive and authentic attitude towards her diagnosis, using her humor shield to keep herself and others comfortable around her. She aims to create a sense of normalcy and acceptance around her disability, encouraging others to laugh with her and not be scared to engage with her in her journey with MS.
