Heredity Revisited

This was sent to the MultipleSclerosisSupport.com AAQ Feature and thought I would share. Is there anything you would add?

Q: Donna asks: I am one of four children in a family that has two already diagnoised with MS, our Mother was also diagnoised with MS at the age of 38. I am now 56, and have been experiencing many of the symtoms of MS, imbalance, vision blur, unbearable feet pain, and leg pain., as well as problems swallowing. I know that MS cannot be cured, and I really want to just continue to continue, but I"m wondering if because I am in a family with 3 members diagnoised, if I should be examined just so the heriditary aspect of MS could be explored, I am very aware that thus far medical experts have said MS is not heriditary, but because of our familys history I am very concerned this may not be the true situation, also the two that have been diagnoised are my brothers.

A: Yes, you should talk to your doctor. There are multiple reasons. There are treatments available for MS that can help you. If you don't have it, you might have something else that is treatable, as well. While experts don't believe there is a hereditary aspect to MS, they do believe that there is some sort of environmental connection like a virus or bacteria. If this were the case, it is very likely that you all may have experienced the same thing. My own personal belief is that there is a hereditary connection. I believe the conditions that cause MS might not affect everyone equally and that there may be a "genetic predisposition" to contracting MS.