Christina Applegate's MS Misdiagnosis

Christina Applegate revealed she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis nearly five years ago.

Dr. Barbara S. Giesser on MS Diagnosis

Dr. Barbara S. Giesser, MD, FAAN, FANA, director of the MS Comprehensive Care Clinic at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, Calif., explained MS diagnosis is not always straightforward.

No Single Test for MS

There is no one single definitive test for multiple sclerosis, so doctors rely on a combination of criteria and symptoms.

“There’s no one test that we can do and say yes or no 100 percent.”

MS Misdiagnosis Rate

Studies show up to 20 percent of MS cases are misdiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions.

“MS misdiagnoses can occur in up to '20 percent of the time.'”

Other Conditions Resemble MS

Lupus, autoimmune diseases, and infections can produce symptoms similar to multiple sclerosis.

“The more common ones are things like lupus and other sorts of autoimmune diseases that can cause inflammation that can sometimes produce a similar picture.”

Applegate's Reaction

Applegate was devastated when her doctor told her she did not have MS, despite her health continuing to deteriorate.

“[My doctor] came into my room and said, 'Congratulations, you don’t have MS,' I was, like, not happy at all.”