Random Qs..

[Hisoka]

Hi, everyone. Hope you're feeling well and enjoying everything.

Sometimes i just keep thinking about related stuff to MS, keep asking myself some random qs that i don't even know the answers to!

> Is there a chance that MS would pass to my childern after i get married? since i have MS would that necessarily mean that my childern will also get it..?

> Recently, i've been completing my Australian visa form to complete my undergraduate studies there, but i was shocked to hear that there is a big chance that they reject giving me a visa because of my "health condition", although MS doesn't effect the people around me, and doesn't even effect me all the time, they still say Aus might reject to let me pass. Another reason might be because of the betaseron injections i take, although i get the injections for free here in my country, our ministry of higher education think it would be hard to provide me the injections continuesly there in Aus and just include it in my health insurance, obviously because they are expensive. Did anyone have a similar experience like mine? i just want to know what did you do in such a situation, and what should be my reaction.

> Thats a bit ironic, are there any famous people with MS!!!? i dunno why i even thought about that.

Take Care. :)

[Brit86]

Hello,

I'm going through the same thing now, trying to get a student visa to Australia and I have MS.  I was just wondering what the outcome was... did they let you in?  I'm applying to medical school there.  I have zero symptoms and haven't had a relapse for 1.5 years now, feeling great.  It will be frustrating if they won't let me in.  Thanks!

Brit

[Hisoka]

Hi, thanks for passing :)

I agree this genetic thing is relly confusing, but its more confusing that i am the only one in my family that has MS, thus it was a great surprise. and it also made me believe that its not related to any genes and that it wont effect my children, but am still not sure about because i didn't get any certain answer about it.

About the visa, i actually said evertything about it in the paperwork, because i can't risk spending 3-4 years without my medication, so i just hope they agree and let me get this scholarship that i worked really hard to get.

I will, thanks again
MK

[Lulu54]

Hi MK,
the whole genetic link is confusing.  We know MS is not passed from generation to generation.  But we also know that something in our bodies makes us more predisposed to MS if a close relative also has MS (in my case, a maternal aunt and several cousins of my mother).  

You will have  to be honest and disclose your MS in all of your paperwork to go to Australia.  It would be understandable if a country does not want to take on long-term visitors who might be a drain on their medical system.  I sure hope that is not the case for you.  

Good luck with this and keep us posted,
Lulu

[Hisoka]

Thanks Alex.

i see what you're saying, i just hope Australia extends those health benefits, because ill need the treatment when i am there, and ill stay for like 3-4 years!

[Hisoka]

Thanks alot for the info and for the link, really helpful.

I heard about all the free medical coverage in Australia, and i won't lie to you it made me feel much better! you said: "having a preexisting medical condition of any kind ups the odds that you'll need medical attention during your stay..." so that means they would actually take care of me and not reject the visa? because you know the director of the external scholarships here said to me there is a 99% chance that your visa will be rejected because Australians in these kind of issues are "strict". But i really can't see why would they reject it if my issue isn't that serious!

Another Q, my scholarship is full, meaning that the goverment here would handle o=all the expenses, but i have MS, would that necessarily mean that in Aus they will take care of my health condition anyway...?

Thanks alot, take care
MK

[Hisoka]

Thanks for your answer, but thats a real complex one!
i need to ask you thins to make sure i get it, whether it transfers to your child or not depends on your age or the time you were dignosed with MS?

ShadowSister said that in the beginning they said it doesn't have anything to do with genes and it wont effect your child, but now they're not sure, i cant find a certain answer!

Thanks
MK

[HVAC]

Canada, England, and Australia have less resources for MS patients and their health care is Government subsidized. I know some of those countries will not let you emigrate if you have MS. Some of these countries extend health benefits to those on Visa. My cousin's appendix ruptured on a plane over Japan. They did surgery in Japan and his hospital stay and surgery were free.

Alex

[supermum_ms]

Hi I'm an Ozzie,

You have to realise the difference in our country, here everyone on our shores is entitled to free medical, financial aid etc, picked up in full by the government, by accepting any type of visa application they are accepting the cost of any posible medical costs that individual may require during their temporary stay. It may seem unfair but there is a heck of a lot of people just coming here for the free medical, pensions etc, having a preexisting medical condition of any kind ups the odds that you'll need medical attention during your stay.

I could be wrong but even with full medical insurance that would cover you outside your own country, student visa's here can last for years, anything could change in that time. I know it may seem really mean, but its the few who take advantage that have made it really difficult for legitimate visitors, jumping through hoops etc.  

I cant actually find anything regarding exclusion due to MS though, its more to do with risk to the community, things like TB etc. i located this web site that may explain things better.

http://www.australia-migration.com/page/Medical_Q_and_As/12

Good luck with your Visa!!!

Cheers....JJ

[sbr497]

* for the first question *

My own take is that genetic disposition has a lot to do with it. Its pretty much established that our own immune system is responsible for MS. Tracking to a specific gene or group of genes is conclusively is what is lacking. Another twist to the whole episode could be that simple having a specific gene might not result in MS but probably the gene needs to mutate (probably triggered by some external factor or systemic error during cell replication) to actual MS to trigger.
But the real fact might be much more complicated than this simple black and white explanation ...

For example,
1) if it was a single gene, it would have been isolated by now
2) if a gene is mutated, it generally gets corrected by our system. So why it does not happen in case of MS
3) why does MS generally start around 20-25. Its not that virus thought of attacking only once its host was past 20-25

There are lot many questions than answers ...
It will be a while before we know the answers ...

[ShadowsSister]

MS doesn't care about the status of some one, it will and can strike any one at almost any age. The one thing about MS is that it doesn't discriminate.

They use to say that it isn't some thing that runs in families, but if I am not mistaken, that theory has been thrown out, in some cases it does and in others it doesn't.

I am also hoping you have a good week. Remember to do some thing to give yourself a hug.. By doing some thing fun or nice just for you.
{{{{~!~}}}} DJ