Christina Applegate reveals she gained 40 pounds following MS diagnosis

Christina Applegate revealed she has gained 40 pounds since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

The 50-year-old actress — who shared her diagnosis in August 2021 — reflected on the struggles she experienced while filming the final season of her Netflix show, Dead to Me, amid her battle.

‘This is the first time anyone’s going to see me the way I am. I put on 40 pounds; I can’t walk without a cane. I want people to know that I am very aware of all of that,’ she said in a new interview with The New York Times.

Applegate was diagnosed with MS while in production on the final season of the show, which then took a five month break that that she could begin her treatment. 

Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves, and interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body. 

The Anchorman star said of shooting the last season: ‘I had an obligation. The powers that be were like, “Let’s just stop. We don’t need to finish it. Let’s put a few episodes together [with previously recorded footage].” I said, “No. We’re going to do it, but we’re going to do it on my terms.”‘ 

Applegate also shared that when production of the show — which has earned her two Emmy nominations — paused ‘There was the sense of, “Well, let’s get her some medicine so she can get better.”‘ 

However, the actress added that ‘There is no better’ and said, ‘I’m never going to accept this. I’m p***ed.’  

Ultimately taking the break was ‘good’ for her: ‘I needed to process my loss of my life, my loss of that part of me. So I needed that time. Although it’s not like I came on the other side of it, like, “Woohoo, I’m totally fine.”‘

The Los Angeles born beauty also shared that looking back there were some signs of the disease, as she talked about losing her balance in a dance scene during the first season. 

‘I wish I had paid attention. But who was I to know?’ she said.

The star shared that once she returned, she needed a wheelchair to get to set due to her declined mobility, and that a sound technician had to hold up her legs in order to get certain shots. 

She also shared she couldn’t film shots of her walking into a room because she would need assistance, and that she would lean against doors while standing to be able to stay up. 

The Married With Children star also stated she isn’t sure whether she’ll watch the final season as it’s too painful, but that she wanted to finish shooting it for her co-star Linda Cardellini and show creator Liz Feldman.

‘If people hate it, if people love it, if all they can concentrate on is, “Ooh, look at the cripple,” that’s not up to me. I’m sure that people are going to be, like, “I can’t get past it.” Fine, don’t get past it, then. But hopefully people can get past it and just enjoy the ride and say goodbye to these two girls,’ she stated.

In the show Applegate stars as sardonic widow Jen Harding who, after the loss of her husband from a hit-and-run accident, crosses paths with free spirited Judy Hale (played by Cardellini) at a grief support group. 

The final season of Dead to Me will be available on Netflix on November 17. 

In October Applegate showcased her new walking sticks on Twitter ahead of an event, discussing how needing help with walking is now her ‘new normal.’

The beauty revealed her diagnosis in August 2021, and at the time, tweeted that she has received overwhelming support from those also affected by the condition.