Jamie-Lynn Sigler had just started filming “The Sopranos” at age 20 when she noticed numbness and tingling in her legs and problems with bladder control that got worse over time.
After undergoing an MRI and spinal tap, doctors told Sigler, now 42, the sobering news that he had relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS).
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, it is a disease that occurs when the immune system attacks the central nervous system and disrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body. Most people are diagnosed with RMS in their 20s or 30s, with waves of symptomatic attacks followed by periods of reduced symptoms or no symptoms.
Scared and young, with little or no awareness of her MS, Sigler followed the advice of those close to her at the time and kept her diagnosis a secret.
“Honestly, panic set in, fear and immaturity. So I just ignored it and lived in denial,” Sigler told USA TODAY. “I was able to be irresponsible for a while until I really couldn’t do it anymore.”
It took Sigler 15 years to share her MS diagnosis with the world in 2016.
“I couldn't imagine anyone wanting to hire me. [because I had MS],” she said. “I ended up carrying feelings of shame about it. It's terrible, and I've never in a million years felt that way today. But I couldn't do anything about it.”
But by the time she joined the cast of Big Sky in 2021, she had to make sure her trailer was parked close to the set and there were chairs nearby for her to rest between takes. I felt confident enough to request the equipment I knew.
“For a long time, I lived thinking like this. [my diagnosis meant] “My dream was over, but luckily I had a lot of beautiful people around me who encouraged and assured me otherwise. I'm glad I listened to them,” Sigler said. said. “Through all my trials and tribulations, I found my voice and self-worth and learned how to live my life to the fullest that I can.”
“Just being human is hard.”
When Sigler learned she had RMS 20 years ago, she had no one to empathize with because the disease was rarely discussed publicly. But her raising awareness has given people with MS a community to lean on. It is estimated that nearly 1 million people in the United States live with MS.
Sigler and actor Christina Applegate, who revealed she was diagnosed with MS in 2021, have found solace in each other. After a two-hour phone conversation with her that was filled with lots of laughter and tears, the two started a podcast called Her MeSsy, which premiered on March 19th.
“This podcast is a beautiful story that grew out of the two of us going through this very unique experience and realizing the beauty and strength we found in each other by letting out the painful things we had kept inside for so long. It was born out of friendship,” Sigler said.
For more information about multiple sclerosis, This is America.I am able-bodied until (unexpectedly) I am not able-bodied.
Each episode eavesdrops on an intimate conversation about how they're feeling, and Sigler says: “There is no plan…we just answer honestly.” Their goal is to help people be their best, even if they don't have MS, without feeling like they have to perform for others. It's about helping you be your most authentic self.
“It's hard to just be human,” Sigler said. “Different events put us on the path to dealing with many of the same emotions and challenges, it just happens that our emotions and challenges were MS.”
“You'll be okay, life will go on.”
Sigler said these days, her MS primarily affects her walking. She said she can't run anymore, but it's hard to accept that.
“It's hard to go from living in one body to now living in another. But that being said, I'm doing my best to protect myself and my mental health. This has allowed me to accept my situation and make the small adjustments that are necessary.”
Sigler said he takes three important steps to help cope when things feel “very difficult or hopeless.”
The first step is to reflect. As humans, we like to push negative emotions away, but I've learned to allow myself to feel sad about the life I thought I would live. ”
Ms. Sigler then attempts to reconstruct what RMS means to her. “It takes a certain amount of acceptance for what I'm working on. I have physical limitations, but I'm working on how I can continue to be a wife, mother, and actress while living with this disease. is.”
Finally, Sigler focuses on asking for help. “That was a big change for me, not only when it came to working on set and having boundaries, but also because I realized that I wasn't a burden and I was able to find my voice.”
Meanwhile, Sigler said she pays attention to her body and what makes it feel good. Cold plunging, as well as stretching and strength training, is a big help, she said.
“I want to feel strong and I want to feel like I'm doing the best I can to take care of my body,” Sigler said. “I still have a lot of dreams I want to fulfill, and I’m not going to let the necessary adjustments stop me.”
Looking back at her 20-year-old self, Sigler said she wished she could have told herself, “It's okay, life will go on.”
“And I'm fine,” she admitted. “We all face difficult events, physical and otherwise, but we still have a lot of life ahead of us. I truly believe that.”
