Christina Applegate has spoken candidly about the early symptoms she overlooked before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2021. During an appearance on SiriusXM’s This Life of Mine with James Corden, she described experiencing what she initially dismissed as minor or temporary issues. For years, she dealt with balance problems, occasional speech difficulties, and trembling hands. While playing tennis regularly, she noticed her knee would unexpectedly give out. She also experienced unusual muscle spasms and, eventually, numbness in her toes—something she admitted she “ignored” at first. Applegate said she attributed many of the symptoms to dehydration, heat, or overexertion, not realizing they could be connected to a neurological condition. MS, which affects the brain and spinal cord, can present differently in each person, often including fatigue, muscle stiffness, and coordination challenges.

As symptoms intensified during filming for the final season of Dead to Me, Applegate found everyday tasks increasingly difficult, including walking up steps to her trailer. After undergoing medical testing and an MRI, she received the diagnosis that confirmed her condition. She recalled seeing multiple lesions on her brain scan and feeling overwhelmed by the news. Production briefly paused as she processed the diagnosis, but the team ultimately completed filming. Since then, Applegate has continued to speak openly about living with MS, raising awareness about the condition and encouraging others to pay attention to persistent or unusual health changes.