Applegate discovers five-year MS diagnosis was wrong

Christina Applegate learned she does not have multiple sclerosis after living with the diagnosis for five years, leaving her back at square one about her actual condition.

Oct 20, 2026

6 cards · 1m 30s · tap to begin

From · · 1m 30s

Applegate discovers five-year MS diagnosis was wrong

Christina Applegate learned she does not have multiple sclerosis after living with the diagnosis for five years, leaving her back at square one about her actual condition.

In brief

Christina Applegate learned she does not have multiple sclerosis after living with the diagnosis for five years, leaving her back at square one about her actual condition. Christina Applegate discovered her five-year multiple sclerosis diagnosis was wrong after doctors stopped her infusion treatment and found her body…

Five years living with wrong diagnosis

Five years living with wrong diagnosis

Christina Applegate, known for Anchorman and Married With Children, believed she had multiple sclerosis for five years before discovering the diagnosis was incorrect.

How doctors found the mistake

A few years ago, her doctor suggested stopping her MS infusion treatment to see how her body reacted.During the time off, her body did not respond in a way that would indicate she had MS.

Applegate's reaction to the news

Applegate said she was not happy at all about the news and in tears when she found out.She told her podcast audience, "You don't get misdiagnosed and then all of the sudden I'm better.

“You don't get misdiagnosed and then all of the sudden I'm better. If anything, I've gotten worse.”

Why MS misdiagnoses happen

Why MS misdiagnoses happen

About fifteen to twenty percent of patients diagnosed with MS do not actually have the disease, research suggests.

Other conditions mimic MS symptoms

White matter spots found on MRI scans can indicate different health problems including migraines, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, or vitamin B twelve deficiency, which can cause neurological problems that closely mirror…

Applegate begins investigation next week

Applegate said she is back at square one where she does not know what is going on with her.

“I'm back at square one where I don't know what's going on with me.”

What matters most

Christina Applegate discovered her five-year multiple sclerosis diagnosis was wrong after doctors stopped her infusion treatment and found her body did not respond as MS patients would.

Read the original on BBC News

React

Sign in to react and comment.

Comments (0)

Life is short. Keep it sweet. Respect others' opinions and be kind!

    Recommended next

    More decks on christina applegate and related topics.