'Married with Children' actress Christina Applegate bares the painful reality of Multiple Sclerosis and challenges she faces daily following her diagnosis with the autoimmune disease.
- Nov 7, 2024
AceShowbiz - Christina Applegate, the beloved actress known for her roles in "Married with Children" and "Dead to Me," has shared an honest account of her daily struggle with multiple sclerosis (MS).
On her podcast, "MeSsy," which she co-hosts with fellow MS patient Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Applegate described the debilitating pain she experiences, saying, "I lay in bed screaming." She detailed the "sharp pains, the ache, the squeezing" that plague her body.
Applegate's symptoms have intensified over time and now affect her daily life. She struggles to pick up her phone or operate her TV remote and is unable to open bottles. Despite her outward appearance, she emphasized that the disease is often invisible to others, "Because it's the beauty of the invisible disease."
The actress explained that she can predict the severity of her day based on the pain she feels getting out of bed. "[If my feet] are hurting like extraordinarily bad to the touch, I was like, 'Yep. Gonna get back in my bed and pee in my diaper because I don't feel like walking all the way to the damn bathroom,' " she said.
Her podcast guest Rory Kandel, a bakery owner and fellow MS patient, described her symptoms as "knives in [her] spine," rendering her immobile at times. Applegate related to this, acknowledging that she experiences similar pain "every single day of [her] life."
Applegate first received her MS diagnosis in 2021 but had been experiencing symptoms for years prior. The autoimmune condition damages the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibers, leading to a wide range of symptoms. MS has no cure, but treatment can often help manage its effects.
In previous episodes of her podcast, Applegate admitted to having "dark" thoughts and not enjoying life due to the disease. She emphasized the importance of speaking openly about mental health issues and MS to reduce shame and empower others.
Despite the challenges MS presents, Applegate remains determined to raise awareness and connect with others going through similar experiences. Her candid sharing of her journey sheds light on the invisible struggles faced by those living with chronic diseases.
