Future children

[Lor301]

I will be getting married next summer and have started thinking about the possibility of children.  I have both Celiac Disease as well as MS and am feeling really down.  I feel like if I choose to have children I am setting them up to have an autoimmune problem.  Does anyone have any background in genetics, or life-experiences to share with me?  Did you decide to have children/decide not to have children as a result of fear of a higher risk of them having an autoimmune disorder.  I know I'm getting ahead of myself but I can't help thinking about it.  Thanks

-Lauren

[HVAC]

I know any friends with MS who had children and the children are fine. I chose not to because of other genetics in both families. No one can tell what the future holds. I was glad I did not have kids because I ended up with the BRCA gene for Cancer.

Alex

[immisceo]

I have MS too, and it's not that bad. I know it comes in many severities, but the notion of someone avoiding having children because it's a small possibility doesn't hit home as it's not terminal. My life is great!

That being said, my grandmother died of breast cancer, my only aunt had breast cancer, my mother died of breast cancer she contracted in her 30s, and my father died of glioblastoma multiforme (eg brain tumour) contracted in his twenties. Yeah. I'm not having kids. Whether or not *they* get it, *I* might get it and speaking as an orphan, it's not fair on my hypothetical kids.

Autoimmune conditions are a challenge. No two ways about it. But with adjustments and support, they're not the end of the world.

[supermum_ms]

If i'd been aware that both my children 'would be' dx with disabilities or known prior to getting pregnant just how high my genetic stats were, i most likely would of chosen not too BUT that would of been the worst mistake of my life! Neither of my kids are less worthy of being here because they have a disability, sure it's been harder work being a parent than expected but I see their individual magic and i'm very lucky they are mine!

I suppose what i'm trying to say.......prospective parent's today, realistically face conditions like Autism, much more than the weaker probability of MS even without a genetic predisposition.

Research hasn't found the answers about the MS genetics side of things, though they have been able to identify a few of the DNA markers now under suspicion but even still, i'm not sure how genetics alone, will ever be able to explain why MS only run's in some families but not all or even most. It's generally accepted that MS is 'probably caused' by a combination of genetics, environmental and life style............life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get, so so true!

Cheers......JJ

PS. Future MSers will not be living the same issues as past MSers, think of how much further the research will be in 20 years time....