THIS was the elephant in the room you were referring to when you commented on my post??? Pretty sure you were the ONLY person who perceived there to be an elephant in the room regarding my original post.

I would like to answer your question, but I'm unable to since I didn't know that I had RA until AFTER I had my children. There's a genetic factor, but it's not a definite. In fact, I can't even find enough data to give an estimate of how frequently RA is inherited. Should a type 1 diabetic refrain from having children because there's a genetic factor to the disease? What about someone with Crohn's disease or bipolar disorder?

Life is life. Some lives are more physically painful than others. We all face some sort of trial and struggle. There is no such thing as an easy life and I personally believe that we all endure the same amount of pain and suffering throughout our lives.

No, no, NOT directed at YOU. Sorry if you took it that way.

It's a topic that all women of childbearing age already diagnosed with RA need to consider.

True, because one has the gene does not mean one will transition to active RA. But there is a significant possibility that it can happen.

I just read the same info regarding genetics and RA. There seems to be a specific gene with RA, but it's thought that environmental factors or hormones trigger the gene, and activate RA. Sounds similar to cancer. It would be interesting to find if there's a stronger genetic link with RA as opposed to cancer.

Yes, we've known about triggers for 20 years.

But, given a statistical probability that an offspring might develop full blown RA, would you be willing to take a chance?

My mother has RA. I have a lot of the same issues she does, but she also has some that I don't. We have lived different lives (I was more active). So, could partially be genetic. My Rheumy said it could be. But...I personally think it's due to years of constant stress on the nervous system.

I don't doubt that stress enhances the problem. However, in my case the disease was in my family and a strep infection acted as the catalyst for activating the disease.

But let's go back to the original topic:

Given your experience with RA, would you choose to get pregnant and possibly pass on the gene? Could you bear to see your child suffer with RA?

Yes. I would have children knowing that there's a possibility that it would be passed on. The joy of life outweighs the pain and disability. I am early in the disease process, so maybe in 20 years, my opinion will change but as of now, my answer is yes.

Anyone on this forum who was diagnosed with JRA and who has a parent with RA? Would be interested in your comments.

I got RA after my kids, so this question is moot for me. I can't imagine life without my children. I did go through a real struggle when one of my sons first developed allergies and asthma, and then a second son. I got the allergies after the birth of my last child, she was a twin, and the other one died and I could not get a D&C. I'm thinking that might have started my downward fall into sickness. I know my allergist felt it was 4th pregnancy related.

But fortunately, my boys grew out of asthma. So I thought they had dodged a bullet. Then RA hit me, and you better believe I was worried about them all getting the gene. So far, not one has, but the oldest is only 41, three years younger than me when I got it.

I am convinced that my environment, partly the allergy shots I got for asthma, and partly the abuse I received growing up probably triggered my RA. Sure, I had the gene, but these things I believe were the triggers.

So none of my children experienced abuse growing up, and they all are very happy in their marriages and careers. (Well, the oldest finally divorced his massively depressed/OCD wife - not my choice, but it is his life to live)

As far as JRA, I have a cousin who started with it at age 1 1/2. But I can't ask her opinion, because she was never able to marry and have children. She has to have constant care, (she has adult onset, too!) and I can't see how she could have cared for a child. Of course, this was long before the biologics and DMARDs we have now to help.

If I had it to do over, knowing they could get RA?? I'm glad I don't have to cross that bridge.

PS, My husband has RA in his family, too. One cousin with JRA and an aunt with adult on-set. It never stopped his parents from having children, and certainly mine never thought that one through. I thought I was pretty removed from a grandmother and a cousin with it, but I was wrong. Hubby continues to be the perfect picture of health. Well, mostly!

Difficult question with no easy answer. I am happy I have my kids but had I known I would get RA and might pass it on I may have decided not to have kids. I can't bear the thought of my children going through this. I worry about them especially every time they complain something hurts or aches. I think my mom has RA and was never diagnosed as such. She has a multitude of joint and pain issues but she doesn't have it in her for yet another appt. and I get that with all I do. I am not sure at this point in time it would be of benefit to her anyways. So I think I may have chosen not to but it's to late for that.

I appreciate everyone's honesty.

I was just talking with my husband, and he has Alzheimer's in his family, too. A grandfather, uncle and his mom. We both independently decided that RA would be better than Alzheimer's after our last visit to see his mom and how bad she is. I worked in long term care, and it is such a sad disease - especially the early onset. And I have only seen one person in long term care because of RA, but whole floors of Alzheimer's/dementia in the three places where I was a chaplain.

But I continue to hope and pray my children and grandchildren dodged a bullet, or for the grandchildren, that they have found a "cure" by the time they are adults.

Is there an RA "gene"? I was always told you could inherit a PROPENSITY for it, but that it was not actually inherited.

"The most significant genetic risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis are variations in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, especially the HLA-DRB1 gene. The proteins produced from HLA genes help the immune system distinguish the body's own proteins from proteins made by foreign invaders (such as viruses and bacteria)."

https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/rheumatoid-arthritis