“I have a glass shower. It’s frightening to me to get in there”
Christina Applegate has given fans an update on her multiple sclerosis after being given the devastating diagnosis just two years ago.
The Hollywood actress tried to keep her condition away from the public eye, but as soon as fans began to notice something was off, the actress took to Twitter to explain what was going on.
It was in August 2021, when the 51-year-old confirmed that she had been navigating the condition for “a few months” already.
MS 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.
It’s a lifelong condition and while there is no cure, patients receive treatments and medications to help with the symptoms.
Now, two years after her diagnosis, Applegate is far more outspoken about her health and is now an advocate for the condition.
Christina shared an update during her recent interview with Vanity Fair and said having this disease means there’s “never a good day,” as she slammed those offering their advice.
“You just have little s***y days. People are like, ‘Well, why don’t you take more showers?’ Well, because getting in the shower is frightening,” she said.
“You can fall, you can slip, your legs can buckle. Especially because I have a glass shower. It’s frightening to me to get in there.”
The actress said she has a renewed perspective on the little things in life – like showering – and admitted that she previously “took for granted” everyday tasks like being able to walk downstairs by herself, carrying things and even putting on her bra.
“It f***ing sucks,” Christina added.
When asked if she has many able-bodied friends who could help, she explained: “I actually don’t want to be around a lot of people because I’m immunocompromised.”
Another side effect of the condition is that many sensations are incredibly heightened to unbearable levels, and Christina likened a well-meaning visitor to “being in a crowd of people” only “5,000 times louder”.
She said she doesn’t know “if I’m going to get worse”, but admitted being on set and working is just not an option for her right now.
