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Christina Applegate gained 40lb after MS diagnosis as she explains why she needed to complete Dead to Me-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro
Christina said she felt ‘obliged’ to carry on filming.
Christina felt an ‘obligation’ to film Dead to Me (Picture: AFF-USA/REX/Shutterstock)
Christina Applegate has opened up about her Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and the production of hit Netflix drama Dead to Me.
The Anchorman star confirmed her condition, which affects the brain and nerves, last August, explaining that while it had been a ‘tough road’, she had a strong support system.
The 50-year-old is preparing for the launch of the third season of thriller Dead to Me, which also stars Linda Cardellini.
The dark comedy follows two friends, Jen (Christina) and Judy (Linda) who initially bond during therapy for their dead husbands.
The Friends star spoke about production for the latest installment of Dead to Me, revealing it paused for a five-month hiatus following her MS diagnosis.
She explained: ‘There was the sense of, “Well, let’s get her some medicine so she can get better.” And there is no better. But it was good for me. I needed to process my loss of my life, my loss of that part of me. So I needed that time.’
Christina told New York Times she felt an ‘obligation’ to carry on with filming, with crew members suggesting the shot should be paused indefinitely.
Christina is reprising her role as Jen in Dead to Me (Picture: Getty)
She said: ‘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.”‘
The 50-year-old continued: ‘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.’
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild.
There is currently no cure for MS, but a number of treatments can help the condition. It is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 20s and 30s, although it can develop at any age.
It causes a wide range of potential symptoms, including fatigue, difficulty walking, problems with balance and co-ordination, and issues with vision.
Depending on the type of MS, symptoms may come and go in phases or get steadily worse over time (progress).
Christina took a backseat from the public eye following her illness but recently returned to the spotlight for a glitzy event, her first since her MS diagnosis.
Taking to Twitter, the star gave fans a glimpse at one of the canes she may be using for the ceremony, unveiling her stunning options.
Dead to Me is a huge hit on Netflix (Credits: AP)
‘I have a very important ceremony coming up,’ she penned beside the snap. ‘This will be my first time out since diagnosed with MS. Walking sticks are now part of my new normal.
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‘Thank you @neowalksticks for these beauties. Stay tuned to see which ones make the cut for a week of stuff.’
Dead to Me returns to Netflix on November 17.
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