Christina Applegate Opens Up About Life With MS: “Most of My Day Is in Bed”

Christina Applegate is sharing a candid look at her daily life as she continues to battle multiple sclerosis (MS).

Living With Chronic Pain

The Emmy-winning actor, 54, revealed in a new interview with People that she spends most of her day in bed due to the debilitating pain caused by MS. Diagnosed in 2021, Applegate has spoken openly about the challenges of living with the incurable autoimmune disease, which affects the brain and spinal cord.

Despite the discomfort, she remains committed to her routine of taking her 15-year-old daughter, Sadie, to school and activities. “I want to take her; it’s my favorite thing to do. It’s the only time we have together by ourselves,” she said. “I tell myself, ‘Just get her there safely and get home so you can get back into bed.’ And that’s what I do.”

Sharing Her Struggles Publicly

Applegate has used her MesSy podcast, co-hosted with Sopranos actor Jamie-Lynn Sigler (who also lives with MS), to discuss her symptoms. In a 2024 episode, she described “laying in bed screaming” from sharp pains and muscle aches. She explained that the condition has spread to her hands, making it difficult to hold a phone, remote, or even open bottles.

Humor Amid Hardship

While her descriptions are raw, Applegate often injects humor into her reflections. She joked about using a diaper when the pain in her feet makes walking unbearable, clarifying, “I actually don’t lay here and pee in my diaper. That’s just a joke. But it’s so freaking painful and so hard and so awkward.”

Looking Ahead

Applegate’s openness comes ahead of the release of her memoir, You With The Sad Eyes. The Dead to Me star, who has worked in Hollywood for nearly five decades, says she has accepted her new reality but continues to find joy in small routines with her daughter. Her honesty offers a powerful reminder of the daily challenges faced by those living with MS, while also highlighting her resilience and determination to stay connected with family.