
Christina Applegate Shares Harrowing Experience with Multiple Sclerosis: Over 30 Hospital Visits!
2025-03-19
Author: Jessica Wong
Christina Applegate’s Candid Revelation
In a candid revelation, Christina Applegate has opened up about her ongoing struggle with multiple sclerosis (MS), detailing the severe impact the disease has had on her health. During a recent episode of her podcast "MeSsy," co-hosted with Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Applegate shared that since her diagnosis, she has been hospitalized more than 30 times due to debilitating symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea.
"I have been in the hospital upwards of 30 times from throwing up and diarrhea and pain over the last three years," the 53-year-old actress explained. “It’s unimaginable,” she added, emphasizing the extensive medical tests she has undergone, which have exposed her to considerable radiation from CT scans and more.
Seeking Understanding
In her quest to understand her condition better, Applegate has taken steps toward uncovering the source of her symptoms. She advised listeners who may be experiencing similar MS-related issues to consult their doctors about motility problems, noting that the disease can slow down the function of organs, leading to serious complications. “I have noticed that — and I’m going to be really honest — if I have to poop, I puke,” she stated frankly.
Colonoscopy and Frustration
Currently, she is scheduled for a colonoscopy, a move her neurologist insists is not typically associated with MS, but Applegate remains skeptical, expressing her fear and frustration about the pains she endures. "It’s scary," she said, underscoring the challenges patients with this chronic autoimmune disease face daily. In her characteristic humor, she quipped, "Always have a little trash can next to your toilet," sharing a laugh about managing her symptoms.
Living with MS
Applegate, who was diagnosed with MS in 2021, suspects she may have been suffering from the disease for six or seven years prior. The launch of "MeSsy" has allowed her and Sigler, who also lives with MS, to foster open discussions about the condition, providing a platform for sharing personal struggles and the realities of living with MS.
In previous discussions, Applegate has laid bare the agony associated with her illness: "I lay in bed screaming... the sharp pains, the ache, the squeezing," she shared. The physical toll has affected her ability to perform everyday tasks, explaining that sometimes she cannot even pick up her phone due to the progression of her symptoms.
Bonding Through Struggles
Sigler, who received her MS diagnosis at just 20 years old, revealed her initial fears and decisions to stay silent about her condition. "I felt like if I didn’t talk about my MS, it wasn’t real," she recalled, highlighting the importance of sharing one’s story for healing and understanding.
Together, Applegate and Sigler have formed a powerful bond, supporting each other through their respective battles with MS. Recently, Sigler took to Instagram to celebrate their podcast's journey, expressing her gratitude toward Applegate for making the project possible and acknowledging the support they provide each other in navigating their diagnosis.
Inspiring Others
As both women continue to share their experiences, they inspire many others living with chronic conditions to speak out, fostering a community of resilience and hope. Their raw, unfiltered conversations serve not only to educate but also to uplift those who may feel alone in their struggles with MS.