runnng in families

[willowwoman7]

Having been dx'd in November, I've been wondering...My dad's and his sister have not spoken in 25 years. But here,s the thing...I have 2 cousins who have children and I wonder if I should let them know that MS is in the family. My father's ok with my relaying this information if it's necessary, but I don't want to be stupid, either. (but he still won't talk to his sister [sigh]

[Quixotic1]

The chance of your cousins having MS - meaning farther out than 1st degree relatives - is very little higher than the general population.  It would be far less than a 1 % chance.  If I didn't know much, and a relative called to tell me it was "in the family," I would assume that it was "genetic."  That means it is pretty likely that my family would see it and not more like the one chance in 200 or 1 in 300 that it is.  

I repeat - your cousins would have about 1 chance in 200 to 300 of developing MS.  Not at all likely.  Is it worth the worry for them?

What I want you to carry away from this is that MS does NOT "run in families."  Yes, the rare family has more than its share, but for most people concern doesn't rise unless a parent, child or a sibling has MS.  The highest risk is with a sister or brother.

Cindi - I realize that you know of someone who has a higher rate in their family.  Please realize that this doesn't mean others have that kind of risk.  It gives you a skewed view.

The choice is up to you, but it would be your responsibility to make it clear that they have only a SLIGHTLY increased risk of seeing it in their family and, if they have questions, to talk to their doctor.

Quix

[thiagirl]

Hi I read your post. i think knowing our family medical history is always important. I have a friend recently Dx with ms and three of her cousins have had MS for years. It seems like such an awkward thing to have to call your aunt about seeing as how your father and her don't speak, but i would let her know. I guess the question you need to ask yourself is if the tables were turned would you want to know?  The likely hood of them getting it is low . Having said that let me just say my mom is adopted and she hates filling out family medical history forms because there is just so much she can't answer. Its really a personal choice but if it was me i would be letting her know because i would want to know .
just my thoughts.

god bless
cindi

[humming4u]

you have lupus and MS? dear, thats a lot to have to deal with.May god bless you with all the strenght and peace you need. how are you?
                                                                                    humming

[willowwoman7]

was wondering because i heard autoimmune diseases run in families and i also have lupus and a very rare ai kidney disease.

[essdipity]

Of course that decision is a personal one and strictly up to you. However, the chances that your cousins and their children will have MS given that you do are very low.

Heredity does seem to play some role in MS, but it's a small one as far as is known. Statistically the possibility goes up only between first degree relatives (parents/children or siblings). Even then it's only 1 in 20. Higher of course than what would randomly occur but still pretty small. So just based on science, your distant relatives are not in much danger.

ess