Christina Applegate recently shared a candid and unfiltered glimpse into her life with multiple sclerosis (MS) on the Nov. 5 episode of her podcast MeSsy, co-hosted with fellow actress and MS warrior Jamie-Lynn Sigler. Since her 2021 diagnosis, Applegate has become an outspoken advocate, revealing the physical struggles she faces each day.
The Invisible Pain of MS
Applegate described the sharp, persistent pain that often leaves her “screaming” in bed. “The sharp pains, the ache, that squeezing,” she explained, are now regular experiences, with the disease even impacting her ability to hold everyday objects. “Sometimes, I can’t even pick up my phone,” she shared, describing how the disease has affected her hands.
Her podcast guest, Rory Kandel of Rory’s Bakehouse, also lives with MS and described similar agony. Kandel shared, “It feels like I have knives in my stomach… I wake up, and I physically can’t turn from side to side.” Applegate resonated deeply, saying, “Every single day of my life.”
Everyday Tasks Becoming Overwhelming
Applegate’s mobility has become significantly affected, making simple tasks like getting out of bed daunting. She compared her first steps of the day to stepping on hot lava: “I put my feet on the ground and they’re hurting…extraordinarily bad to the touch.” Jokingly, she said the struggle is so intense that she sometimes considers staying in bed rather than enduring the pain.
The Challenge of an “Invisible Disease”
Applegate highlighted the “invisible” nature of MS, which leaves people looking outwardly “fine” while dealing with severe, invisible pain. She quipped about spending more time in bed now, noting that after 50 years of hard work, she’s come to accept it.
Her podcast co-host Sigler echoed her sentiments, humorously describing her own morning pain as feeling like “a hot fire poker.” These frank, unfiltered conversations emphasize how MS affects even the simplest daily tasks, leaving Applegate, Sigler, and countless others to navigate a life filled with unanticipated obstacles.
Through her openness, Applegate continues to shed light on the complexities of MS, giving others who silently suffer a voice and an ally.
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