Genetic & Life Expectancy

  Is Shy Drager Hereditary?
  What is the life expectancy once symptoms occur?
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Shy-Drager syndrome is not hereditary.
The more modern name for the syndrome is Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).
Life expectancy is hard to gauge. The numbers quoted are about 10 years from onset. However, that is derived from older series compiled before effective treatment of the complications (such as blood pressure drops, sleep apnea, swallowing trouble, etc).
MSA is not the same thing as Parkinson's disease with blood pressure drops, so you have to be sure the diagnosis is accurate before even attempting to make a prognosis. The diagnosis is best made by a movement disorders specialist.
You are welcome to seek an opinion at the Cleveland Clinic. Call 800 223-2273 and ask for neurology appointments. Indicate you want a movement disorders specialist. Of course, if you live far away from here but are close to a major academic center or university, that may serve you just as well.
I hope this helps. CCF MD mdf.