3 Celebrities on How MS Symptoms Have Affected Them | MyMSTeam

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3 Celebrities on How MS Symptoms Have Affected Them

Medically reviewed by Evelyn O. Berman, M.D.
Written by Torrey Kim
Posted on December 22, 2021
Teri Garr, Jack Osbourne, and Jamie-Lynn Sigler have all spoken publicly about how MS symptoms affect their lives. (Shutterstock)


Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) is a different experience for everyone with the condition — no two people experience identical symptoms or disease trajectories, even if they are relatives. But many people with the condition find that they share at least some similarities with others who are living with MS, such as having tough days and needing to take time to rest occasionally.

Celebrities living with the condition are no different. They experience the ups and downs of MS, and symptom flares affect them as well. Check out what three celebrities have said about the impact MS symptoms have had on their lives.

Jack Osbourne

Reality TV star Jack Osbourne was diagnosed with MS in 2012, when he was 26 years old. He told Today that he was at a gas station when he noticed that his vision was impaired. Within two days, he had lost 90 percent of his central vision and underwent a series of tests. One of those, an MRI scan, showed lesions on his spine and brain. Doctors told him that he had MS.

Once Osbourne began taking medications, his vision returned, but he still has days when eye issues affect him. He told CNN that he experiences periods when his hands don’t grip properly, and others when his vision wanes. He has also struggled with depression, fear, and fatigue due to the disease.

Teri Garr

Actress Teri Garr is known for her work in movies like “Young Frankenstein” and “Tootsie,” but for years she lived with the secret that she had MS. She initially noticed her symptoms in 1983, when she began to trip while jogging — the higher her body temperature rose, the weaker she felt. She asked doctors about her symptoms, but no one could definitively nail down her diagnosis until 1999, when she found out she had MS.

Garr developed a limp that sometimes prompted her to use a cane or wheelchair, and she has also discussed weakness in her right leg and arm. She once told Brain & Life that, to keep stress and anxiety at bay, she aimed to simplify her life by prioritizing which activities were the most important. She noted, too, that she tries to exercise whenever possible.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler

Jamie-Lynn Sigler initially found out she had MS when she was playing Meadow Soprano on the HBO show “The Sopranos.” Then 20 years old, she kept her diagnosis quiet for 15 years, privately dealing with symptoms such as balance problems and bladder issues.

After revealing the diagnosis, she opened up about some of the symptoms that affect her, including requiring rest after walking for too long, not being able to run, and struggling to climb stairs. “When I walk, I have to think about every single step, which is annoying and frustrating,” she told People.

Other celebrities who have publicly discussed an MS diagnosis include Neil Cavuto, John King, Selma Blair, Christina Applegate, and Montel Williams.

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These celebrities have experienced a wide range of symptoms during their MS journeys. Which of the same symptoms have affected you?

Posted on December 22, 2021
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Evelyn O. Berman, M.D. is a neurology and pediatric specialist and treats disorders of the brain in children. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Learn more about her here
Torrey Kim is a freelance writer with MyHealthTeam. Learn more about her here

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