Christina Applegate reveals heartbreaking effect MS diagnosis has had on life

Christina Applegate has bravely opened up about the heartbreaking effect that her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis has had on her quality of life.

The 53-year-old Dead to Me star was diagnosed with the chronic autoimmune condition which affects the brain and spinal cord in the summer of 2021 and has since been really candid about her health issues in order to help shine a light on the condition.

Applegate recently appeared on Tuesday's episode (26 August) of her Messy podcast to share some more details about what it's like living with the disease and how her battles with MS has 'broken' her 14-year-old daughter, Sadie.

"I see her look at me when I’m in bed and can’t quite move, or I wanna go say goodnight to her in her room, but I can’t quite get down the hallway for whatever reason that my legs aren’t working that day," she shared.

Christina Applegate, 53, has bravely shared the heartbreaking effect MS has had on her life (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

The Hollywood A-lister continued: "Right now I can barely get to bathroom, it’s the worst, but that’s neither here nor there.

"It’s broken her."

Applegate then took the opportunity to reflect on what her life was alike before her diagnosis four years back, explaining that Sadie 'only' knew her as 'healthy, and a runner, and a Pelotoner and a dancer'.

"So then when this came about, 2021, she was like stoic about it," Applegate recalled.

"She didn’t know this. It was like losing the mum she had to this f*ckking thing. And the more she’s gotten older now, I think the more it’s hurting her."

The Dead to Me star opened up about how her MS diagnosis has impacted her relationship with her teen daughter, Sadie (Emma McIntyre / Staff / Getty Images)

Acknowledging that the journey has proved to be a dramatic transition for both herself and her daughter, Applegate also pointed to the fact that the family unit were also dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic around the same time.

"We had just gone through COVID and no school and all this stuff and now mummy can’t do all the things that she used to be able to do and I see it in her eyes. I see it," she carried on.

However, Applegate made sure to voice her appreciation to have Sadie by her side to support her through such periods.

"But you know what’s really beautiful? When we’re out, she knows I’m having such a hard time because I have such anxiety about being out. And she’s always got my arm," she praised.

"She’s always trying to help me through and help me with my cane and and all this stuff. At home, she’s like, 'Can you please go down and make my food cause you’re the only one who can make it?'"