MS Question for DocJohn
 

I have had MS for 42 years - dx'd at 30 - both my sons now have been dx'd with MS - should neurologists we see be surprised by that - they just sort of shrug and say oh - one son started MS in his 20's - he is now 45 and has come to accept DX - other son is 48 and his started 2 years ago - - - -

I don't think doctors are really surprised by the higher percentages of MS in families, though the statistics published are relatively lower. My cousin and I both have MS. My younger son been diagnosed with IBD and definitely has some symptoms of MS. He refuses to see a doctor about his symptoms at this time because he is a commercial driver. My daughter has NMO, which is often misdiagnosed as MS. My older son seems to have missed the bullet at this time. I don't believe the statistics are deliberately skewed, but I don't feel that they are accurate.

There are some genetic risk factors for MS but as far as I know none have yet led to improved treatment options.

See multiple sclerosis - Genetics Home Reference for more on this.

I agree and I am thankful the medical community is finally admitting the increased risks. It seemed for years they minimized it and encouraged people to have children without considering the increased risk of passing MS along.

My hope is there will be improved treatment options as they discover more about this miserable disease.

when I was dx'd at Mass General - I was told 2 things - that MS is not transferable and that I had maybe 8 years to live - obviously wrong on both counts - but U don't understand why research isn't done in families that have multiple auto immune problems - they might actually learn something

My oldest son has had some "suspicious" symptoms. Very much like I had early in my MS.

I've asked my Neuro about possible genetic risk factors but he sort of blew it off.

I would rather mine get worse than for him to go through this awful disease. :(

Hi Karen!!!! It's wonderful to see you posting again.

I am sorry your DSs have been dx with MS as well. I do think that a lot of factors are involved with MS such as environmental factors but I also think that there is some genetic involvement on who gets it. I think that studying epigenetics they will eventually figure out a gene component and an environmental link that is turning on or off one of the gene expressions that is causing MS. I hope that makes sense.

I hope to see you posting more. I miss you and your humor! :hug::hug:

I could not agree more - prayed for son's health for 42 years

I have just recently spoken to him about seeing a Neuro......just as a precautionary measure.

I told him that right now....at this time in MS history....he has more options that he could begin before the symptoms get worse and possibly keep MS at bay longer than anyone has been able to.

Now, he hasn't been diagnosed but I've learned the hard way to prepare for the worst while expecting the best.

When I first had my first MS symptoms (1987 - I was 27) MS was hardly spoken of much less tested for. At the time it could have been diagnosed as anything from a pinched nerve to anxiety. Looking back I know now it was MS rearing it's ugly head only to lie quietly for years before coming back for a visit. Mine stayed relatively quiet for 18 years before coming back with a vengeance.

I'm not trying to scare my son but just want him to know the unpredictable course the disease can take. I would be horribly remiss if I didn't convey to him the importance of getting a dx and getting on a DMD early.

I also told him to get a separate life insurance policy other than the one he has through work and to sign up for LTD if his employer offers it. I signed up for it when I had no idea I'd ever use it but it was so inexpensive I couldn't NOT take it out.

I just want things to be better for him than they were for me.