amen, Sally!

I participated in one of the first MS genetic studies, in the San Francisco Bay Area, geez, I think it was WAY back in 1992 or 1993...

my mother, my father, and four of my siblings, plus me, all did blood draws, and sent the vials in special boxes, via express mail.

I never heard what came of that study...

but yeah, even back then, they were pretty darn sure there was a genetic component to the disease, along with exposure to a triggering virus, living in certain lattitudes, and high sanitation standards.

they were particularly interested in our family, as my mother's aunt had MS (she passed away in the early 60s) and provided all the materials, postage, boxes, vials, and instructions.

my particular concern with MS and its genetic origins are due to the fact that my ex-husband's brother was dx'd with PPMS, 14 years ago, and is doing poorly.

this means that my son Benjamin has the "designer genes" on BOTH sides of his family.

I was told that the MS-carrying genes come from the mother's side, but still, it worries me, because it could mean the gene is reinforced in my son (he's now 24)

Very interesting. I was diagnosed a year ago this Saturday. My mother was diagnosed 2 months before I was and she is 23 years older than me. My neuro told me that unfortunately I hit the mother lode. 1) genetic risk since my mother has MS 2) vitamin D deficiency 3) grew up in a cold climate 4) a severe case of mono a year and a half before my diagnosis (viral trigger perhaps). Sigh.....

If there was a study I would try to have my mother sign up with me to assist with genetic research.

Duh!!! I just read this more closely. I should try to participate in the study with my mother.

Double Duh!!! It's only for siblings. Can you say cog fog?

Since being dxd last year at age 52, I've asked all my aunts on both sides if they knew of anyone else in the family with MS. So far I haven't been able to find anyone.

I literally have 100 first cousins! You'd think someone besides me would have MS. *shrug*

Hey Natalie! You're using up all the thread!!!

As far as anyone in my family knows I am the only one to ever have MS. My mother is going for an MRI soon for a different issue. That MRI should be able to answer the question I have had for so many years - does my mother have MS? She has so many other problems but so many of her sx's are similar to mine.

The horrible question of whether my dd will end up with MS is always in my mind.

interesting I have asked everyone in my family no one can recall anyone having MS, strokes, heart attacks yes, MS no

By the way Frank, I miss your psychedelic peace sign!!

It's so sad when you keep hearing stories of all sorts of relations with MS. The guy who did my last MRI told me he has a friend who has MS and both his friend's sisters do too. Wow...3 siblings all with MS. I really hope they find this cure soon!

This has always been one of my pet peeves with MS. Just a few years ago when I was diagnosed it was rare to find much information and the few articles I did find were, imo, insultingly optimistic. Since it is such a charged topic when this topic came up on the boards it often resulted in hurt feelings rather than productive dialog.

My personal thoughts are that since MS strikes young women of childbearing years and until recently there was nothing to offer us the Docs were relieved not to have any research to back what only makes sense, to me...that there is often a familial link.

We can make our own decisions about whether or not to have children, if we haven't been blessed with them already, but rather than just gloss over it we have the need and the right to know more realistic stats on the possibility of passing it on even if it never happens.

I truly believe that accepting and thoroughly researching this connection, that is present in so many families, is one of the keys to making advances. Its about time.