Jamie-Lynn Sigler's 14-Day Hospitalization for Initial MS Signs at 19

Jamie Lynn Sigler Was in the Hospital for 14 Days With 1st MS Symptoms at Age 19

Jamie Lynn Sigler Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Jamie-Lynn Sigler discussed the start of her multiple sclerosis symptoms in more detail.

In the latest episode of the "MeSsy" podcast hosted by Sigler and Christina Applegate on May 7, Sigler, 42, shared about a health scare she had when she was 19 years old, just a year before being diagnosed with MS.

She suddenly felt an urgent need to pee, like a bladder spasm, something she had never felt before. However, when she tried to use the bathroom, she couldn't pee.

At first, she thought it might be a UTI, but then new symptoms started to show up a few days later.

"I started feeling a heavy numbness in my feet, almost like pins and needles. Slowly, it started spreading upwards every day. First, it was in my ankles, then in my calves, knees, and thighs," she explained. "When it reached my hips, I was on a plane heading back to New York. I immediately called my dad and told him, 'Something's not right. Please pick me up from the airport and take me to the hospital.'"

Sigler shared that she was getting ready for the third season of "The Sopranos" when she had to spend a long time in the hospital.

During her stay, she spent 14 days in the ICU without a clear diagnosis. Despite undergoing a spinal tap, an MRI, and various other tests, doctors were unable to pinpoint the issue. Multiple sclerosis was ruled out at that time.

Sigler experienced a recovery from the mysterious symptoms after receiving a high dosage of steroids. However, the numbness resurfaced approximately a year and a half later. Despite feeling like she was overreacting, Sigler returned to the hospital and was eventually diagnosed with MS.

Upon her return to the hospital, medical professionals quickly recommended another spinal tap and MRI. The following morning, a neurologist informed Sigler that she had MS, marking the official diagnosis.

When Applegate, 52, asked if doctors had overlooked Sigler's MS the previous year, Sigler provided an explanation.

"I think there weren't any lesions before, it was still in the early stages," she explained. "Diagnosing it wasn't as clear-cut back then as it is now. This time, there are visible lesions."

Sigler kept her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) private until 2016, when she was 34 years old. Despite being advised to keep it a secret, she eventually opened up about it to Applegate, who also shared her MS diagnosis in 2021.

Due to being mostly symptom-free in the initial years of her MS journey, Sigler was able to delay confronting the illness.

She admitted, "I was not a good patient. I neglected to take my medication and wasn't taking care of myself. I was also rebelling against the whole situation. It was during a difficult divorce with my ex-husband A.J. DiScala when my health took a turn for the worse."

After ending her marriage with DiScala in 2006 following three years together, Sigler found love again and married Cutter Dykstra in 2016. The couple now have two sons, Beau who is 10 years old, and Jack who is 6.

Sigler has openly discussed how her health issues impact her children.

She shared in an exclusive interview with We in September 2023, "My oldest son is very sensitive and understanding. Whenever I have to apologize for not being able to do certain things or explain my limitations, he always reassures me with 'It's okay, mom, I understand.' On the other hand, my younger one gets upset and compares what I can and can't do to other moms, which is completely normal."

Despite the difficulties of raising children while dealing with MS, Sigler emphasized that her bond with her boys remains strong.

She shared, "I feel the deep connection with my kids when I tuck them into bed, and I know that nothing can change that, regardless of my physical limitations."

Editor's P/S:

Jamie-Lynn Sigler's account of her MS diagnosis highlights the often elusive nature of the disease. Her initial symptoms, a bladder spasm and numbness, were initially dismissed as a UTI. However, the subsequent progression of numbness up her legs and the eventual diagnosis of MS underscore the importance of seeking medical attention when experiencing unexplained neurological symptoms. Sigler's experience also sheds light on the evolving understanding of MS over time, as her initial symptoms were not conclusive enough for a diagnosis in the early stages.

Sigler's journey with MS has been marked by both challenges and resilience. Despite initially neglecting her medication and rebelling against her diagnosis, she eventually came to terms with her condition and has learned to manage her symptoms. Her openness about her MS diagnosis has not only helped raise awareness of the disease but has also provided support and encouragement to others living with chronic illnesses. Sigler's story is a testament to the strength and adaptability of the human spirit in the face of adversity.