My grandmother called to tell me that my mother (we don't have any contact with each other) has been diagnosed with MS. As far as my mother goes, I really couldn't care less, she's a cruel, self-centered person, and there are many reasons why I don't want her toxic presence in my life. However, I'm now concerned because this is apparently genetic. I don't know my biological father's medical history. Should I be concerned for my health, and my childrens'? I went to some MS websites, but the symptoms are so vague, and can mimick so many other illnesses. I actually do have some of them, but attributed them to other health issues. Anyone have any experience with MS? Should I talk to my doctor just to be on the safe side? My children are young, and I'm in my 20s, so I don't want to be a hypochondriac, but I also don't want to ignore something that could be serious. Thanks for reading, and any advice you may have.

By Anonymous on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 08:19 pm:

My brothers wife has MS. They have 5 healthy, happy grown children, and even have 3 grandchildren now. None of their kids has been affected by MS yet. Their oldest is 35 years old. My brothers wife has had MS as long as I can remember them being married. (He is quite a bit older than me) She has her good days and her bad. But, for the most part, she lives a normal life. They had to move out of their dream home because of the stairs. They built a one level dream home and have been there for the past 10 years or so.

I'm a total hypochondriac too, so I know what you must be feeling

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 08:56 pm:

The single best site to start with, imo, is the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

NMS

I'd start with the About MS menu.

A woman in my church was diagnosed with MS about 15-20 years go, when her children were in their early teens. She is now a grandmother. She's had some bad periods, but she seems to have things under control. I see her in church most Sundays because she is a member of the choir.

From the little I know, late onset MS seems to be easier to manage than early onset MS, but that may be because older people don't have so many demands on their lives. I don't know much else. I do suggest that the next time you see your doctor, you tell the doctor that your mother has been diagnosed with MS.

One thing I did read on the site:
"Studies indicate that genetic factors make certain individuals more susceptible than others, but there is no evidence that MS is directly inherited."

Whether you have any of the genetic factors that might - emphasis might - make you more susceptible is something only a geneticist and a doctor who specializes in MS can tell you.

My dad had Parkinson's Disease, and I have worried for years about whether there is a genetic factor. It seems there may be, but they don't know. I do understand your fears - I am particularly worried about my children and my granddaughter, but then, I always worry about my children for almost any/every reason.

By Kaye on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 09:21 pm:

My mom had MS. The MS society page is the best around. However this is what I know. First MS is an autoimmune disease, with no known cause. There is a slightly higher risk to have MS if you have a family member with it. But this isn't a huge concern. However the tendancy to have an autoimmune disease does have a direct genetic link. My grandmother has RA, my mom MS, I have ulcerative colitis and I have a son with Juv RA. What the biggest belief in a cause is this...you must be genetic predisposed, and something environmental triggers it. Probably a series of things. Some of the suspected triggers, chicken pox in jr high, atkins diet, living on the 52 parrallel (colorado), h mmm can't think of what else. Harvard just recently did a study showing that occurance is 30% lower if you have had a tetnus shot in your teens.

Ultimatly there is nothing you can do about it. So live your life, pay attention if you get sick and put that on your family history.

MS can be a horribly debilitating disease, or it can be mildly annoying. There are several types of MS and they are now dx and treated sooner which helps. My mother was one of the expermental ones that took chemo by mouth, this contributed to her death. She officially died of Leukemia, but really only died due to her body being so worn out, she was 52.