I never say Charcot Marie Tooth for that reason, Elaine, it does sound dental! I always say hereditary neuropathy. No one gets that either. I completely missed the family connection because my mom was committing adultery and my dad wasn't my biological father. I did know my bio father, although he never acknowledged the relationship, and I knew that one of his legitimate daughters wore leg braces from childhood and he self medicated with alcohol and had trouble with his legs and hands and getting up from chairs, etc. I had gotten so used to ignoring that as part of my family history I didn't tell the neurologist about it until the diagnosis had been made. It only confirmed it.

My eldest son has it and is already having trouble walking and playing the piano at 29. He was an accomplished pianist but his hands go numb after a few minutes.My daughter recently had a normal EMG thankfully, and my second son has a few symptoms, mostly in his hands. Our two youngest are adopted.