Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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malinaC505 01/01/2016

I know that MS only has about a 3% chance of passing to offspring, but I've mentioned on here before how my mom, grandma, and aunt have all been diagnosed with MS. I'm only 21.

However, my boyfriend of 5 yrs and I don't want kids, and I feel strongly about adopting if I ever wanted a child. I would in NO way be able to live with myself if I had a kid who eventually developed MS.

I'm seriously considering looking into getting a tubal in the next few years, if I want a kid, I can always adopt. I have strong views about people with diseases reproducing and think it's wrong and cruel IF THEY HAVE KNOWLEDGE of their disease before they decide to have a baby.

I'm also on Aubagio, which my neurologist keeps asking me to switch because 'it could harm a baby" UM, excuse me but I think I care slightly more about my real health than the fake health of a human that doesn't exist.

Also, hormonal birth control turns me into a raging psychopath and I don't qualify for the copper IUD because I'm allergic to nickel so it's risky.

Basically, since I've had MS for half of my life, I really just want to not ever have to deal with ...
1. raising a kid while trying to manage my own MS
2. passing my really sh!tty genes on to another generation. (I also have other conditions besides MS)

I'm aware that my age makes people not take me seriously but I can always adopt if I really want to, do you think a doctor will even listen?

Anne8 01/02/2016

It sounds like you know what you (don't) want. Keep in mind, though, in your mid-20s you may have a strong desire to have kids (happened to me). Good to see you have it so clear in your mind. I do sometimes worry that my kids could eventually develop it, but what's done is done (was diagnosed AFTER my second son was born!)

dawizz95 01/02/2016

I never wanted any kids and I asked for a tubal ligation in my early 20's and they wouldn't do it! So, on I went suffering badly with the monthly curse only to find out in my late 40's I have endometriosis and a large fibroid. I ended up requiring a hysterectomy and that totally messed what was left of my already poor health. Had I been able to have that tubal ligation that I wanted, much of this could have been avoided I rather think!

In my family there are two cases of MS in the women's side and both very close to me being a great grandmother and my own mother as well and who knows how many more.

I don't blame you for not caring to take a chance of passing this curse of a disease on to a innocent child and I hope you can find a doctor that respects your beliefs and feelings and will honor them.

I'm sad to be reading this today in in today's world. I was in the same boat you are now in but that was almost 40 years ago. I had thought we gotten beyond this "you are too young and a woman who doesn't know what they really want" era. Too sad! Too sad! :(

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