Christina Applegate Says She Is Mostly Bedbound as MS Symptoms Worsen
Christina Applegate, the Emmy-winning actress, has revealed that her multiple sclerosis (MS) has worsened. It’s now at a point where she spends much of her time in bed because movement can be painful.
The Guardian reported that Applegate, 54, said she is largely confined to bed, though she still takes her 15-year-old daughter to school and described that drive as her favorite part of the day.
On screen, she is best known for Married… with Children (1987 to 1997), then Jesse (1998 to 2000), Friends (2002 to 2003), Samantha Who? (2007 to 2009), and Dead to Me (2019 to 2022).
She also appeared in the movies Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (1991) and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004).
In January 2026, we reported on how Applegate had described basic tasks like climbing stairs and drinking from a glass as difficult. This latest update is another real-life description of how severe MS is.
What MS is doing to the body
The Cleveland Clinic reports that multiple sclerosis, or MS, is an autoimmune condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. These are part of the central nervous system.
The Mayo Clinic reports that MS causes the immune system to attack the protective covering of nerve fibers, called myelin. This disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
As it’s such a severe condition, symptoms can vary widely from person to person and may change over time. This is because the symptoms relate to which nerve fibers are affected first.
This is important to know, as two people with MS can have very different day-to-day experiences, even with the same diagnosis.
Symptoms people may notice first
The early MS symptoms can include:
- Vision changes
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle stiffness or spasms
- Numbness or unusual sensations
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Balance and coordination problems
- Bladder and bowel problems
- Thinking and memory problems
- Mood changes
If these symptoms sound familiar, contact your doctor.
Sadly, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, but treatments can help manage symptoms, address attacks, and affect how the disease progresses.
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