Grey's Anatomy Actor Eric Dane Shares The Subtle Early Sign That Led To His ALS Diagnosis

Eric Dane has opened up in a recent interview about his battle with ALS and the quiet way it first started to affect him. He shared how he came to realize that something just didn’t feel right.

The actor, who’s best known for playing Dr. Mark Sloan on the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, revealed back in April that he had been diagnosed with ALS, which stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

ALS is a serious condition that slowly damages the nerve cells in both the brain and spinal cord. Over time, it makes it harder to move, speak, and perform everyday tasks.

The 52-year-old actor from California spoke out with a short but emotional message and also asked people to respect his and his family’s privacy during this time.

When he confirmed the diagnosis, he said: "I have been diagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter."

"I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week."

"I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time."

Despite his initial silence, Dane recently appeared on Good Morning America on Monday, June 16, where he shared more about the first warning signs that made him worry something was wrong.

Dane revealed the first symptoms he noticed over a year ago Good Morning America

He explained: "I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand and I didn't really think anything of it at the time."

"I thought maybe I had been texting too much or my hand was fatigued."

"But a few weeks later I noticed it had gotten a little worse so I went and saw a hand specialist and he sent me to another hand specialist."

"I went and saw a neurologist and they sent me to another neurologist and said this is way above his pay grade."

It wasn’t until nine months had passed, after visiting several different doctors and going through numerous tests, that Dane finally received a diagnosis of ALS.

Now, a full year after he first started feeling symptoms, Dane shared an update about how the disease has progressed: "I have one functioning arm, my dominant side is my right, my left side is functioning, my right side is completely stopped working."

"My left arm is going, I feel like a couple few more months and I wont have my left either, it is sobering."

Dane said the idea that he will eventually lose the movements of both arms and then legs is 'sobering' Good Morning America

ALS often known as Lou Gehrig’s disease after the famous baseball player who had it—usually starts out with small signs. This might include muscle twitches, weakness in an arm or leg, or even having trouble swallowing or speaking clearly.

But over time, it worsens and begins to affect the muscles you need for basic movement, eating, breathing, and talking. One of the most heartbreaking parts is that while the body becomes weaker and eventually paralyzed, a person’s mind usually stays fully aware.

This disease has no known cure and is ultimately fatal. According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, most people who are diagnosed with ALS live only about three to five years.

However, there are some who manage to live much longer with the condition.