Christina Applegate’s Battle with Multiple Sclerosis: A Detailed Look
Actress Christina Applegate has been remarkably candid about her experiences living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Diagnosed in August 2021, Applegate has openly discussed the profound physical and emotional challenges the disease presents, including significant weight loss, mobility issues, and frequent hospitalizations. Her recent memoir, You With the Sad Eyes, provides a deeply personal account of her journey.
The Physical Toll of MS
One of the most significant impacts of MS for Applegate has been the effect on her digestive system, leading to substantial weight loss. She details in her memoir experiencing a “dangerous” and “terrifying” reduction in weight, losing over 22 pounds in seven months due to stomach problems requiring a clear liquid diet. As she describes, “Today, my legs are thinner than ever.”
Applegate’s memoir reveals the constant struggle with her body’s changing capabilities. She recounts a longing for normalcy, expressing a desire to eat normally but fearing the consequences, such as needing emergency room visits, which have become increasingly frequent. She too notes the loss of muscle mass in her legs, describing them as “sticks,” and the associated danger of falls due to lack of bone protection.
Diagnosis and Initial Challenges
Applegate first discovered something was wrong while filming the final season of her Netflix series, Dead to Me, in 2021. She experienced difficulty walking and required a wheelchair to get to set, initially feeling “terrified” and unsure of what was happening. Prior to her diagnosis, she had already gained 40 pounds and begun using a cane for support.
Ongoing Health Battles and Emotional Impact
Since her diagnosis, Applegate has been hospitalized over 30 times and has spent recent months largely confined to bed due to pain. Despite these challenges, she remains committed to her role as a mother, prioritizing taking her 15-year-traditional daughter, Sadie, to school. She describes this as a cherished time with her daughter, a routine she diligently maintains despite her physical limitations.
Previous Health Battles
Applegate’s MS diagnosis followed her successful battle with breast cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy in 2008 and later had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed in 2017 as a preventative measure against ovarian cancer.
Applegate’s Openness and Advocacy
Applegate has been praised for her openness about MS, sharing her experiences through her memoir and public appearances. She has described her feelings as experiencing a “real depression” and admitted, “I don’t enjoy living. I don’t enjoy it. I don’t enjoy things anymore.” However, she maintains a resilient spirit, acknowledging the disease while refusing to let it define her. She has also spoken about the internal conflict of accepting her changing body, noting a voice in her head acknowledging her weight loss but determined not to let the disease “win.”
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain, and body. The immune system attacks the protective nerve linings, leading to a range of unpredictable symptoms, including pain, fatigue, and even paralysis. Treatments, such as infusions, aim to slow the disease’s progression but can have side effects, like increased susceptibility to infection.