MS and heredity

I have had MS now for 19 yrs. I know they say that this is not hereditary, but, Im not the only one in my family to have it. My sister also had it. She has passed away now since 2002. She was alittle worse than I was at the time. She had the numbness in her fingers and she fell quite often. Seems Im now where she was back then. She was my big sister and always did everything first.. our little inside joke. I was dx first but she progressed faster than I did. I miss her alot. Does anyone else have family members who also have MS?

[Tawanda]

I have had MS now for 19 yrs. I know they say that this is not hereditary, but, Im not the only one in my family to have it. My sister also had it. She has passed away now since 2002. She was alittle worse than I was at the time. She had the numbness in her fingers and she fell quite often. Seems Im now where she was back then. She was my big sister and always did everything first.. our little inside joke. I was dx first but she progressed faster than I did. I miss her alot. Does anyone else have family members who also have MS?

It's taken a long time for the M.S. community to catch up to what my family already knew, but there is a genetic component(s). My mother and I, PLUS 3 cousins on my mother's side had/have it. We are part of a genetic study being done at the UofSF. We are believers. I had a daughter before I had M.S. and knowing what I know about genetics and M.S., I say a prayer everyday that she won't inherit this. We call it the family curse.

[loadedbutane]

My mother had MS, her sister has MS, and her aunt had MS. Now I am having multiple MS symptoms without a dx yet. I believe in a genetic link.

[golfwidow]

My brother was diagnosed first. I was diagnosed almost 12 years after his diagnosis. Recently our first cousins child has been diagnosed. I have two children and pray every night and day that they will not have this.........keep encouraging them to up their Vitamin D3 and take care of their bodies with exercise and diet...........who knows........I think genetics definately plays a part...........although one doctor said to me MS is familial........in other words, my brother and I share the same genes and our genes reacted to whatever causes MS in the same way..............
My best to all of you....

[sunshine008]

its' weird i can't seem to find anyone in my family who has it, or at least been diagnosed with it.

yet i too have two girls, i'm bringing one to the neuro to be checked out due to some syptoms she's been having and the youngest gets foot cramps all the time and random pains.

i don't know it is hard i too wish and hope they dont' get it.

[hope32]

My mom's cousin had MS and one of my aunts (but not a blood relative) also had it. It sounds like the genetic link is pretty weak and I am praying my boys do not get it!

[MissMichal]

After I saw my neuro for the first time and told my dad I might have MS, he told me that his aunt and cousin had both died of MS. My grandpa always had neurological problems too, but they were always considered the result of a head injury he had when he was 10. We may never know...

[jojo18]

there is a small genetic link but it is small. i dont know the chances of children or siblings getting it, but it is small. to the point where if i have kids one day, i wont worry too much about them getting it. plus, the genes just put up at risk for it. it doesn't mean you will get it.

but to answer your question, no. i am the only one it my family that has it, and to my knowledge, ever has.