I have autoimmune diseases all over my mom's side of the family - mainly the women. My sister had lupus and diabetes and died at 52. I have first cousins with lupus, juvenile diabetes, and is alopecia autoimmune? My mom's father died young of a progressive paralysis where he eventually couldn't swallow or breathe well, but this was back in the 40's.

Interestingly enough, to me anyway, my nephew who just turned 30 was recently dxd with cystic fibrosis, which is genetically recessive. He is an extremely rare case, the only one in the state, because most people with CF die before they're 30. He has a genetically rare variant which causes a milder form, and due only to the grace of God his strange eating habits throughout his life - high fat, high protein - caused him to eat exactly what his body needed to function.

I had myself tested and I am a carrier of the CF gene. I had my kids tested too, my daughter is not but my son is a carrier. There is debate over whether or not carriers can have symptoms. Scientists say no, but there is anecdotal evidence. But at least we know! I hope someday they find the gene(s) responsible for MS.