Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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malinaC505 03/06/2013

i have ms that has spanned across 3 family generations (possibly 4) and i don't know if i could stand knowing that my own selfish choice to have children (i KNOW for a fact my ms is genetic in part) could cause my child to have ms

i'm a nanny, i love kids, i'd definitely be willing to adopt but, i just don't know about the risk of having kids. if my ms was not genetic, i'd probably chance it one day, but it definitely is,

it's relatively disheartening, because taking care of kids is so easy for me and i enjoy it. even the frustrating parts don't bother me much, just because they're kids and will be stupid whiny brats, it's just part of growing up

i think i'm just explaining my thoughts to try and reach a decision, but as of right now, i just can't even create that possibility of having a kid in my mind because i obviously have the genes for ms, so if i pass it on, it keeps going but if i don't reproduce, it can die out

deleted_user 03/06/2013

I had my daughter before being diagnosed. I asked my neurologist the chance of me passing it on if I wanted to have another child. He said with a girl it's 3% and a boy 2%. Don't know if this helps...sounds like you love children and they'd be lucky to have you as a mom :)

deleted_user 03/07/2013

Its not genetic. They can give you stats on anything. What about PKU or polio or downds syndrom, or cancer possibilities. It never ends. I have a child and he is a genius. Straight A's. He's only nine and I catch myself thinking, what a brilliant child. I wish iwas tthat smart, or things were that simple. I guess what I am trying to say is, do it or you will be sorry later. Its easy to say I wonder or wish, but one day it will be to late. Jimmy

lchoppel 03/07/2013

The myth "people with MS shouldn't have children" is on its way out! Since about 1950, research has shown that men and women with MS can have healthy babies and happy kids. MS doesn't affect pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. And these events, in turn, have no long term effect on a women's level of disabiliy. In fact, the hormones of pregnancy offer some protection against MS relapses. Even those children who have a parent with MS have a somewhat higher risk of developing MS than other children, the risk remains fairly low 3-5 %). Don't let MS take away from you the lifetime of being a mother.

deleted_user 03/07/2013

What ichoppel said.

malinaC505 03/07/2013

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673696908077

http://www.direct-ms.org/pdf/ImmunologyMS/LucchinettitypesMS.pdf

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/014067369293007A

http://hmg.oxfordjournals.org/content/7/8/1229.short

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165572897000891

http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/content/125/1/150.short

not worth it, i've obviously heard the 2-3% but that figure does not apply to me because of the genetics involved, the last article is easiest to understand

actually, i think both my parents gave me a homogenous allele for the dr2-haplotype, so my child will get ms if me and my boyfriend pass it, maybe genetic testing? i dont understand it fully, but i think we both have to be carriers of a recessive trait for it to pass,

ezone 03/08/2013

Malina, You sound like wonderful mother material. You should adopt at least. I never persnally wanted to have kids plus never found men who would be good fathers (i had terrible choice in men). But now i do envy those who have grandchildren. that looks fun.
So, what im saying is I was not mother material. And i am the only one in my family w/ MS. But you sound like a GREAT MOTHER! So i really hope you adopt at least. you are very maternal. Dont waste it.
Children need someone like you. I hope you share the love!
Hugs!
Best,
E.

ezone 03/08/2013

I understand the genetics fears. Half the people I know have a cousin or sister w/ MS. I understand the genetic link and fears but still, you can roll the dice or adopt. Foster and adopt. Thr are a lot of possibilities. Kids need loving homes and they will love you whether you have MS or not and vice versa.

ChrissyH 03/08/2013

I had MS but was not DX yet when I had 2 kids. MS is not genetic. No one on either side had MS. Everyone has given you wonderful thoughts. Don't forget about foster children. Maybe becoming a foster parent is a good way to go.

mjideas 03/09/2013

Here is my 2 cents. I felt like you but had Ezone's luck. In the end now I have no one. My Mom had UC and I spent my childhood taking care of her. I saw a lot of horror. Thus I felt strongly at first I didn't want another child to go thru that.

They found the MS gene during the human genome project. It is genetic but to what extent I don't think anyone knows. They are working on a cure and have made big strides in a small time frame.

But MS-especially in women seem to be increasing and in children. Do we have control of that? NO.

Dunn S, et al "The Gender gap in multiple sclerosis" JAMA Neurology 2013; DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2013.55.

If you want kids you should have kids. You never know what the future holds for you.

Melanie

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