Christina Applegate, the actor known for her roles in films like Anchorman and Bad Moms, announced on Twitter overnight that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
“A few months ago I was diagnosed with MS. It’s been a strange journey,” wrote the 49-year-old in her tweet. “It’s been a tough road. But as we all know, the road keeps going. Unless some asshole blocks it.”
Hi friends. A few months ago I was diagnosed with MS. It’s been a strange journey. But I have been so supported by people that I know who also have this condition. It’s been a tough road. But as we all know, the road keeps going. Unless some asshole blocks it.
— christina applegate (@1capplegate) August 10, 2021
Multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease, occurs when the immune system begins to attack the sheath that protects nerve fibers, making it difficult for the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. MS often makes it more challenging to walk and move, and for some leads to paralysis in the legs.
The exact cause of MS is unknown, and cases can range from mild to severe. The disease, which predominantly affects women, is rarely fatal, but lowers one’s life expectancy by five to 10 years, on average.
On Twitter Applegate asked for privacy “as I go through this thing.”
“As one of my friends that has MS said, ‘we wake up and take the indicated action’. And that’s what I do,” the actress wrote.
As one of my friends that has MS said “ we wake up and take the indicated action”. And that’s what I do. So now I ask for privacy. As I go through this thing. Thank you xo
— christina applegate (@1capplegate) August 10, 2021
More than a decade ago, Applegate was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a bilateral mastectomy.
“I cry at least once a day about it because it’s hard to overlook it when you’re standing there in the mirror. When you look down, it’s the first thing you see... So you’re reminded constantly of this thing, this cancer thing that you had,” Applegate told the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2008.
Applegate won a Primetime Emmy award for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for Friends in 2003. She was nominated in the same category for the same show in 2004.
She was nominated for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for Samantha Who? in 2008 and 2009.
In 2019 and 2020, Applegate was nominated in the lead actress category again for Dead to Me, which was also nominated for outstanding comedy series. Applegate first gained fame as a child actor in the hit sitcom Married With Children.
