researching.....

sometimes I don't know if I like researching! In my travels I've discovered that MS is an auto-immune disease. My dad had MS. I remember asking him if it was hereditary and he assured me it wasn't. Well, apparently it may be. "People with a family history of MS and those who live in a geographical area with a higher incidence rate for MS have a higher risk of the disease" (quote from www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000737.htm )
I'm not real excited about this, especially having ITP already. Maybe I got ITP because of some genetic disorder? Am I more likely to "get" MS because of the ITP because I know that I am more suseptible to any number of auto-immune diseases now?
Oh...I dunno. still more questions.

Well, autoimmune disorders tend to run in families. You may end up with the same ones or you may end up with different ones. I have Lupus, and the statistics state that my children are 5% more likely than others to acquire it. That is a very low percentage and I really try not to worry about that. My daughter, however, was diagnosed with Graves Disease - another autoimmune disorder. To me, that one is pretty awful too. I have told my three kids to stay away from known Lupus triggers, especially tanning booths and excess sun. Other than that, there isn't anything we can do about it.

So yes, you do have a genetic predisposition toward autoimmune disorders. But to spend time worrying about whether or not you will acquire MS would be a real waste of good time. Any of us could end up with any other autoimmune disorder (there are over 80 of them), but you have to just cross that bridge if you come to it. Worry about now, now. That's enough on your plate.

ya know, I've always wondered if my dad was being honest, or knew for sure what he was talking about. I know that worrying is a waste of good time, I'm not really much of a worrier. But I have always wondered about it and with the ITP now, for the moment, it is in the front of my mind. Thanks for the words of encouragement. It really does help.

I wouldn't necessarily say that MS is hereditary. It's not like some disorders that can be passed down with a 50% chance of being born with it. I would say that you acquired a predisposition for autoimmune disorders, but not a specific hereditary tendancy for MS. It's all tricky and involves triggers.

I agree, research can be scary.

When Caitlin was diagnosed with ITP, they asked about autoimmune diseases in the family. Well, my Mom had been dx'd with MS when she was about 45. Since then, my sister has been dx'd with MS, too, at about the same age. Mom has four sisters, two brothers and a zillion nieces and nephews--none dx'd with anything autoimmune that I know of. I didn't develop MS, perhaps because I spent so much of my early childhood in the sun here in FL--or because I inherited different stuff from the other side of the family!

If you've passed 50 without such a dx, you're likely in the clear; getting dx'd with MS over 40 or so usually means a milder case. Ann, Caitlin's (23) Mom

My dad was in his mid 30's when he was diagnosed. I just turned 46. I guess there is nothing set in stone as to when someone could acquire MS, but I'm believing it's not gonna be me setting any records or sillyness like that!