American actor Christina Applegate has revealed she has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
The 49-year-old Anchorman star broke the news on Twitter, describing the past few months as a "strange journey".
"I have been so supported by people that I know who also have this condition," she tweeted.
"It's been a tough road. But as we all know, the road keeps going. Unless some asshole blocks it.
"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."
Applegate was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and had a double mastectomy. She has been cancer-free ever since.
The California-born actress rose to fame playing Kelly Bundy, the ditzy daughter of shoe salesman Al Bundy (Ed O'Neil) on successful 1980s sitcom Married With Children.
She won an Emmy for a guest role on Friends, played ambitious newsreader Veronica Corningstone in comedy films Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and the film's sequel, and wrote her cancer battle into her hit Netflix show Dead to Me.
What is MS?
Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects the central nervous system and consequently most functions of the mind and body.
The MS Australia website says symptoms include a loss of motor control, fatigue, incontinence, depression, memory loss and visual disturbances.
There is no known cure, but there are treatments available to help manage and slow down the condition's progresss.
MS is commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40 but can develop at any age.
MS Australia says more than 25,600 Australians have MS, which affects more than 2 million people globally.
ABC/wires
