Selma Blair's sweet message to Christina Applegate following MS diagnosis

Actress Christina Applegate recently used her platform to bravely speak out about her Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis – and now Selma Blair, who also has MS has shared a sweet and supportive message in response.

When taking to Twitter, Christina, who starred in The Sweetest Thing, alongside Selma, explained that her diagnosis came a few months ago and that she has been well supported on this new health journey by others with the same condition.

"Hi friends. A few months ago I was diagnosed with MS," she wrote to her one million followers. "It’s been a strange journey. But I have been so supported by people that I know who also have this condition. It’s been a tough road. But as we all know, the road keeps going. Unless some asshole blocks it."

Christina also added, "As one of my friends that has MS said “we wake up and take the indicated action”. And that’s what I do. So now I ask for privacy. As I go through this thing. Thank you xo."

After spotting her tweet, Selma replied with a jokey message about their children and offered up her love and friendship, "Loving you always. Always here. As are our kids. Beating us up with love."

In response, Christina laughed back, "I love our two weirdos. They are so fun."

The MS Trust, which supports people with MS and helps to fund specialist nurses, estimates that more than over people are diagnosed with the condition in the UK every day. Symptoms can manifest differently from person to person, and can include fatigue, numbness, loss of sensation, vision problems and poorer mental health, such as anxiety or depression. There is no cure but medication can dramatically improve symptoms for many.

A spokesperson for The MS Trust commended the actress for speaking out about her diagnosis, but stressed that it's an individual choice. "As Christina has courageously shown, who you tell about your diagnosis, when you do this and what you choose to share are very personal choices.

"Hearing from others, including high profile personalities who have been through this experience can be very powerful when you are newly diagnosed. Christina’s statement helps shine a light on a condition that is so often invisible, and can give confidence to those hoping to start their own conversations. The MS Trust are grateful that she has chosen to do so and wish her a healthy and well-supported future."

Christina was also praised by The MS Society (who support people living with MS and spearhead research), whose Executive Director of Research and External Affairs, Sarah Rawlings, told Cosmopolitan, "Sharing an MS diagnosis can feel really scary, and we know the MS community will be incredibly grateful to Christina Applegate for speaking out. By doing so she’ll help raise vital awareness and understanding of a condition that affects more than 130,000 people in the UK.

Rawlings added, "MS damages nerves in your body and causes a range of symptoms. It can make it hard to do everyday things like walk, talk, eat and think and, as Christina said, she’s found it 'tough'. We want everyone affected by MS to know they’re not alone – you can call our free helpline or go to our website for more information."

Other notable figures including Montell Williams and Jack Osbourne have also shared their MS diagnosis publicly in the hopes of raising awareness and helping to fund further research into a cure.

For more information about Multiple Sclerosis, including where to get emotional and financial support, visit the MS Society website or call the helpline on 0808 800 8000 (it's open Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm).

The MS Trust also have plenty of valuable resources and are on-hand to answer questions about MS through via helpline on 0800 032 3839 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or email ask@mstrust.org.uk.

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