Christina Applegate has spoken candidly about living with multiple sclerosis, describing the daily challenges she faces since her diagnosis in 2021. The Emmy-winning actress, best known for her role in Married... with Children, said the disease has slowed her functions and caused significant pain. 'When I wake up, I often can't get my arm to move far enough to grab the cup of water by my bed,' she wrote.
Applegate, 51, revealed that she undergoes infusions every six months to slow the progression of the disease, but these treatments leave her vulnerable to infections. She also suffers from extreme fatigue, comparing it to 'a three-day sleepless bender' even after a good night's rest. The actress said she now spends much of her time in bed with a heating pad.
The star admitted that her diagnosis has changed her outlook on life, making her more direct and less tolerant of trivial matters. 'I've become an honesty missile,' she wrote. 'When your physical situation deteriorates, and your life shrinks to the size of a king-sized bed, suddenly all the things you thought were important shift, too.'
Applegate, who has a 12-year-old daughter named Sadie, said she can no longer drive her child or engage in activities she once loved, such as running, playing tennis, and dancing. However, she finds solace in watching reality television, which she described as an escape from the 'loud quiet' in her head.
Reflecting on her past, Applegate shared that she has started to make sense of her life through journaling. She recently opened a locked box of diaries dating back to her teenage years, revealing experiences including an abusive relationship her mother endured, her first sexual encounter at 13, and struggles with disordered eating. 'Just because life has sometimes been tough... that doesn't mean we have to wallow in the darkness,' she wrote.
