Eric Dane is opening up about his ALS diagnosis, two months after he publicly shared his health news with the world.
The “Grey’s Anatomy” star, who is 52, said in a new interview with Diane Sawyer on “Good Morning America” that he originally dismissed his initial symptoms.
“I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand, and I didn’t really think anything of it at the time,” the actor said.
“I thought maybe I had been texting too much, or my hand was fatigued,” he added. “But a few weeks later, I noticed it had gotten a little worse.”
“So I went and saw a hand specialist, who sent me to another hand specialist. I went and saw a neurologist, and the neurologist sent me to another neurologist, who said, ‘This is way above my pay grade,’” Dane shared.
Nine months later, the “Euphoria” actor was told he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The disease attacks the nervous system, progressively making it harder for people to move, talk, eat and eventually breathe. There is currently no known cure.
Dane told Sawyer that his right hand has “completely stopped working” and he is down to “one functioning arm.” He said his left arm is “going” and he feels like he has “a few more months” of function.
Dane described the entire process as “sobering” and added that he is worried about his legs.
The “Euphoria” actor, who has two teenage daughters, first shared his diagnosis in April.
“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he told People magazine. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
The actor said at the time that he was “fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to the set of ‘Euphoria’ next week.”
“I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time,” Dane added.
His interview with “Good Morning America” is the first time he’s opened up about the extent of his symptoms, which he’s been experiencing for around a year and a half.
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