Christina Applegate is continuing to speak candidly about her battle with multiple sclerosis.
The “Dead to Me” star, 53, became emotional discussing her health in an episode of “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend” released May 5, which she said she was recording on a particularly bad day for her MS symptoms.
“I don’t really leave the house anymore,” Applegate told O’Brien. “If people saw what my life is like on the daily, they wouldn’t be able to do it, because I can sometimes not do it. It’s really, really hard.”
She went on to add, “This is the worst thing I’ve ever had in my life. This is the worst thing I’ve ever gone through. I’m going to start crying.” Applegate shared that “I haven’t really been able to get out of my bed today” because “to go to the bathroom, it’s like walking on needles and hot lava.”
She also told O’Brien that on days when her symptoms are worse than usual, she becomes afraid that “this is now my new normal.” But while she says she never has a “good” day, she has days that aren’t as bad.
Christina Applegate says MS symptoms landed her in hospital over 30 times
The Emmy winner was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021 and since then has spoken frequently about living with the disease, including on the podcast “MeSsy.” She co-hosts the show with fellow actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who also has MS.
What is MS? Christina Applegate on diagnosis, symptoms
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition affecting the brain and spinal cord, in which the body’s immune system “mistakenly attacks myelin cells,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. There is no cure for MS, and symptoms can include fatigue, dizziness and loss of balance.
On “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend,” Applegate expressed frustration with how often people ask her how she got multiple sclerosis, implying she did something “wrong” that led to the diagnosis.
She also recalled that her first symptom was her toes beginning to feel numb in January 2021. After she started losing balance and experiencing “extraordinary” pain, Applegate said that actress Selma Blair, who also has multiple sclerosis, urged her to see a neurologist.
In a previous conversation with USA TODAY, Blair reflected on noticing that Applegate seemed to be experiencing the same symptoms she had before being diagnosed with MS.
“It’s scary to tell someone, ‘I think you might have a real issue that you should get an MRI for,'” Blair said. “And so it’s a horrible feeling to kind of be part of the messenger, but also good. OK, maybe she can save some more brain volume and save herself from more damage.”
Blair, who starred with Applegate in the 2002 movie “The Sweetest Thing,” added, “I believe in her so much.”
Christina Applegate reveals death of her father: ‘The first time I’ve really cried’
In March, Applegate shared on an episode of “MeSsy” that she has been in the hospital “upwards of 30 times” since her 2021 diagnosis. “That is unimaginable, OK?” she said. “They’ve done every test known to man on me, put so much radiation into my body from CT scans to everything else.”
This story has been updated with additional information.
Contributing: Erin Jensen, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Christina Applegate emotionally talks MS battle, symptoms
