In light of Christina Applegate sharing the symptoms that led to her gut-wrenching diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), there are a few more little-known signs that can point to the disease.
The star of Netflix series Dead to Me was diagnosed with the autoimmune condition in 2021, after many months of feeling ill and ‘weird’.
Applegate, 52, has been candid about how MS has taken a toll on her life and believes she’s unlikely to appear on the big screen ever again due to it.
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For those who don’t know about MS, according to the NHS, the condition 'can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance'.
Applegate has opened up about the five main symptoms she noticed before her diagnosis. But there’s a few others that people may not be so aware of, and how they can all point to signs of MS.
While there is no cure for the disease, its symptoms can be treated.
Balance issues
Applegate mentioned how she was unstable on her legs, and this is incredibly common with those who suffer from MS.
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When a person has MS, it can affect their ability to balance, and is exacerbated by the weakness, vision loss, and sensory issues that come with it.
Speech issues
According to the NHS, those with MS can experience difficulty chewing or swallowing, which is called dysphagia, and then the slurring of words, or being unable to speak coherently.
Known as dysarthria, it ranges from being slightly slurred to being completely unable to speak.
Tremor
Having a tremor can be a common sign of MS, as the disease can affect the brain and spinal cord.
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“The most common form of tremor due to MS is what is called an action tremor,” said Neurologist and MS Specialist Barbara Giesser, MD, at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. "The limb or hand shakes when the person tries to do something with it. Rehabilitative techniques and sometimes medications can help with this."
Feeling weak at the knees
Similar to balance issues, feeling week is a symptom which could get worse, leading to the person needing to use a cane or struggling to walk.
Weakness, especially on one side could be mistaken for a stroke instead of MS, however this can come and go.
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Fatigue
According to Dr Giesser, ‘the most common symptom of MS is actually fatigue’.
Numbness or tingling
Applegate's numb toes were just one of the things that she described got ‘weirder and weirder’ before she was barely able to walk the steps to her trailer while on a set.
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Dr Giesser noted that numbness and tingling - especially that comes and goes in the hands or feet - is a common symptom, but that MS is 'not the only thing that causes that'.
Vision problems
Blurred vision, vertigo and other issues could be an early symptom of MS, especially if it hurts to move your eyes.
Muscle spasms and stiffness
Also known as Spasticity, it can range from mild muscle tightness to severe spasms, according to the National MS Society.
Torso tightness
Dr Giesser explained: “Some people with MS may experience a sensation as though they have a tight band or belt around their torso.
“This is due to nerve damage in the thoracic spinal cord and is called the ‘MS hug.’”
Pain
Whether it’s painful muscle spasms, nerve pain, or numbness that hurts, pain is very common with MS.
Change in bladder habits
The changes to your bladder can range from needing to go more often to being unable to fully empty your bladder.
Sexual issues
According to Dr Giesser, women with MS may experience anorgasmia, which is delayed, or absent orgasms, or even dyspareunia (painful intercourse).
Men could suffer from erectile dysfunction, and both could have a decreased libido.
Constipation
People with MS can experience problems with their bowel movements.
Depression
With any chronic disease, it’s understandable that a person can feel low.
Make sure to talk to someone if you feel depressed and reach out for help.
Cognitive changes
MS tends to change cognitive abilities, particularly when it comes to processing information, finding your words, multitasking or memory.
While MS is not the only disease that causes these symptoms, you should contact your GP if you are concerned about any of them.
Britt Jones