Christina Applegate and South Carolina mother share new updates after multiple sclerosis misdiagnoses
Actress Christina Applegate appeared on her Messy podcast with Jamie-Lynn Sigler to say a physician told her she does not have multiple sclerosis, a condition she was diagnosed with in 2021. She described the news as a “mind‑fuck” and noted that it offers no relief from her worsening symptoms, which have left her using a wheelchair and cane and spending months in a Los Angeles hospital. In a separate case, Molly Smith, a 37‑year‑old mother from Charleston, South Carolina, received a second opinion that led to a specialized MRI revealing a thyroid nodule instead of MS lesions.
Surgery to remove part of her thyroid uncovered both follicular and papillary thyroid cancers, which were cured, and she will remain under lifelong surveillance. Both stories illustrate the challenges of diagnosing complex neurological symptoms and the personal impact of diagnostic errors.
How this was covered
- Coverage peaked at 7 outlets in a single hour
Why it matters
These updates show how misdiagnoses can profoundly affect patients’ lives and highlight the importance of accurate medical testing.
How this story developed
- Oct 17 Christina Applegate says doctors have ruled out multiple sclerosis after years of symptoms
- Oct 23 Applegate announced that a doctor has told her she does not have multiple sclerosis.
