Oh, that poor boy and his family. I really do feel for them.

While MS is not considered a hereditary disease, I personally, believe that it is a genetic disease, possible at the genome level. I feel that something in our genes was altered and therefore, we can pass that mutation down. I think that because of this particular gene/genome and some type of "environmental" trigger whether during our development in the uterus (possibly some virus, medication, or other exposure our moms had) or after birth while growing up or even as grown ups we ended up with MS. This was probably the case with the Osmonds.

Bless my brother's heart for having to listen to me but, as you know he spent all but the last 3 years of his working life in neurological research MS, migraines, Alzheimer's, and epilepsy to name a few. Oddly, I was diagnosed a couple of years ago. Over the years we have discussed different diseases and more recently MS. I talked to him about my own belief and he agreed. I am sure that there have been some studies on it.

Do I worry about passing it on to DDs, yes without a doubt. However, as I tell DDs, they are more likely to get my essential tremors than MS. Family history wise, well . . .well . . . well, dang nobody has anything hereditary other than my niece. She has sickle cell. But, I think you get my point.

I'm a little worried that my older sister will get it, and that her daughters could end up with it some day.

I may not get along with my sister, but I wouldnt wish this onto her for the world.

I've noticed a few neurological things in my family. My grandma had Alzheimers. My nieces have Asbergers (autism), and my dad has mentioned on occasion that he's got a numb spot or two. I'm pretty sure that I know what side of the family any of the weird neurological stuff comes from. (my dad's side)

I've got a distant cousin (dad's cousin's daughter) who has MS. So far it's just me and her with the MS. (she's probably worse than me) So, I'm pretty sure we've got whatever genetic thing that you "need" to get MS floating in our gene pool. Just takes the right circumstances to trigger it.

I think MS has some sort of viral component to it. I noticed a few things before I had mononucleosis, but I really do think that the mononucleosis I had in 1995/1996 is what turned the MS on in me. I'll have to talk to my cousin someday (I've never met her) and see what she thinks.

My cousin's MS appeared the same week her brother was made a quadrapelegic. He'd been swimming in a lake, and dived in head first. Broke his neck. I think the stress of his injury is what triggered her MS. She and her brother were both in the hospital at the same time. Paralyzed. At least her's got better. I've met her brother since his accident, and he's just the nicest guy. Hopefully I get to meet her someday and we'll be able to compare stuff.

I hate to hear about another youngster biting the MS dust...dang it..

My DD38 has MS and so, far is following in my MS footsteps. She's in total remission as was I, at her age. She started LDN early, so I'm hoping it will help to hold the MS progression off, forever.

I'm sorry to hear this news.

It certainly runs in my family and it stinks. My younger brother has it, I have it, and my older brothers wife has it. (even though she's not our blood, it still is too close for comfort) and now My 14 yr old might have it.

It must be in the water

Have a special place in my heart...I just pray that through the research all of the younger generation (even us oldish) with ms will be blessed with more effective treatment and hopefully a cure. I feel your tears and worry.

Just reading these posts makes me wonder if there is at least a bit of a genetic thing going on. My mother got diagnosed with PPMS in Aug. 2007. I got diagnosed with RRMS in Sept. 2007. Last week the tech who did my MRI told me that his friend has MS and so do both the friend's sisters. Three siblings with MS. What are the random odds of that?