Christina Applegate has revealed five “strange” symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that she overlooked before discovering she had the disease. The Anchorman actor received her diagnosis in 2021 and often discusses her challenges in managing the disease. It is unclear what causes MS, but it occurs when the immune system assaults your brain and nerves.
What is MS?
According to the NHS, MS is presently incurable and affects the brain and spinal cord. People with the disorder experience many symptoms, but the most prevalent are weariness, muscular cramps, spasms, and stiffness, as well as memory or attention impairments. While anyone can develop MS, your chances are higher if you are a woman, between the ages of 20 and 50, have a close family member with the disorder, smoke, or have previously been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus.
‘Strange’ MS symptoms Christina Applegate noticed.
During an episode of SiriusXM’s This Life of Mine with James Corden, Applegate discussed unusual symptoms she had. “For years and years and years, I’d have, like, some weird things—balance issues, speech issues,” the actor told me. “My hands would shake sometimes, and I remember playing tennis—I played tennis a couple times a week, and my knee would go out.” At the time, she attributed everything to being ‘dehydrated’ or ‘too hot’ outside. However, in January 2021, she discovered that her ‘toes grew numb’. “I ignored it,” she said, persisting in her trek until a sudden realization dawned on her. That’s a weird muscle spasm. ” Things started to ‘become stranger and crazier’ for Applegate, and they only worsened when the final season of Dead to Me began filming. “By this time I was like, ‘You guys, I can’t even walk up the steps to my trailer.'”
“Please don’t tell me this.”
With the onset of symptoms, Applegate underwent testing, including an MRI scan of her brain, and received a call from her doctor while at work. “I recall telling them, ‘I need to leave. I’ve got to go home and be there at seven. They said, “Well, we have one more scene to do,” to which I responded, “I can’t.” I have to go home,” she replied. Upon her return, she initiated a video conversation with her doctor, who merely glanced at her and murmured, “I apologize.” When the doctor showed her a picture of her brain, she noticed ‘about 30 lesions throughout’ and said, ‘No, please don’t tell me this.’ Please do not tell me this.” Applegate informed the production team that ‘it’s f**king MS’ and a week-long work halt was imminent. “After that, we focused on figuring out how to film everything, which we accomplished. ”
I mean, we completed it. It took a long time, but we finally finished it. But absolutely, I remember that moment like it was yesterday,” she said.