I think it is important for family to know because I believe there is a familial predisposition to MS. I'm still disgusted that my cousin didn't tell anyone he had it and let the whole family think I was the only one for years.

As for friends my personal friends know but my work friends don't. I'm too afraid to have it become public knowledge because as in most professions it is a small world and I worry about not being hired in the future if people know.

If someone I meet casually happens to tell me they have it I always tell them I do also.

I haven't told my parents. I think it's best that way. My mom has MS and it would serve no purpose for her to know except to pass a giant burden onto her. My brother was dx'd last year and has made the same choice. It would crush her to know that we both have it considering the severity of her course of MS.

I never told my dad because I didn't want my mom to know via him.

The rest of my family and my friends know. I have a great support system and my mom never questions why I know so much about MS now...