It is my u understanding that there is believed to be a link, however no proof that it is caused by that genetic link. If I knew I had RA before we became pregnant, I would have been asking the same question, but I didn't even know at that point.

I am eager to hear what others have to say, thanks!

I've fourchildren, and am expecting my fifth (just so ya know, after birth, when they tell you to wait 6 weeks, do it). My wee ones are still young, my oldest boy Finn being 9, my boys Cavin and Careign are 6, and my youngest,m y daughter Eilidh is six and a half weeks old. I was diagnosed at 17, but I must have had it for years, as my hands were already deformed by the time they diagnosed me. My oldestby has been diagnsed with JRA recently, and I keep a close watch on my other three, tomake sue they don't develop signs of it. mydoctor told me there seemed tobe a genetic link, like Bistro said

There absolutely can be a genetic link (as in my case), but that is not always the case.

RA has taken down several members in every generation of my family (for as far back as anyone can remember). Personally I would never take the chance of passing this terrible disease on. However I completely understand that being a parent is very important to many people, and each one of us has to make our own choice. While one cannot have disease dictate every aspect of life, I do think it's a good idea to at least ponder the possibility of passing this on to a child.

We found out we were expecting in November of 07. You can imagine the added pain when I was diagnosed in September. There is no RA on his Mom's side, and only on my Mother's side, so I am keeping my fingers crossed and will be watching closely like AoifeO does.

Just curious, if you don't mind me asking DeathWarmedOver, do you have any Irish in your family? I've heard certain nationalities, people/places have higher rates of RA and others less - like Japan. Not to change the subject. And, you are right. Had I known about my RA first, I'd be talking adoption I think - NOT that I would ever judge anyone who knew and still had kids. Like you say it's not 100%, but certainly a consideration.

i am wonder for my I have PA without P, there is NO PA OR P in my family and i do worry for my children.

Here's what I found online:

"NARAC hopes to discover how these genes travel in the family tree. Even among those who inherit identified genes, only a minority develop the disease. If one identical twin has RA, the other twin has about a 15 percent chance of having it also. Siblings of people with RA are two to ten times more likely to develop RA themselves over the course of their lifetime--with about 90% not getting it.
Other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, autoimmune thyroid disease, and juvenile diabetes also occur at a higher rate in family members of people with RA. There is a tendency for family members who get RA to have similar disease features, for example in age of onset, positive rheumatoid factor, and development of nodules. Gender certainly plays a role. Men appear to have a phenotype of RA that can involve larger joints like the hips. Pre-menopausal women are much more likely than men to develop RA, but the neumbers level off after age fifty. Three-quarters of pregnant women with RA go into remission that reverses after they give birth. Women who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing RA; the longer they nurse, the smaller the risk becomes, even decades later."

My husband and I are from Ireland, and still live here with our kids.I've also heard that Irish people are more prone to RA. We knew there was a risk at having kids, and where as I am so sad about my son having developed JRA,i wouldn't change it for the world. He is such a joy, such a little angel, he is so strong, and part of the reason I wake up everyday. I Was 19 when I became pregnant with him. Obviously we weren't trying at that time. I had jut finished nursing school, and was just settling down with y new husband, ready to start my life. However, I love being a mum, there is o greater joy. All four of my kids are something special. After Finn was born, we wanted one more child, a little girl to complete our family, and we actually applied for adoption, but we were told that we were so young, we already had a child, and I was chronically ill and needed a hip replacement; the chances of us being able to adopt were slim. so, we decided to have just one more, and were blessed with mono-mono twin boys, three years after the birth of my son Finn. I wouldn't change that for the world. My boys are very active, happy, trouble making six year olds. After I had my hip replace we recontacted several adoption agencies, but again we were turned down, and we decided to try for just one more, because we wanted a girl to complete our family, and after 2 miscarriages were finally blessed with our daughter Eilidh Maebh on December 3ed 08, and we weren't very careful, didn't wait six weeks, and are now expecting our 5th and final child. do worry, and feel guilty that I have passed this awful condition down to my son, and worry for my other children. Like I said,I worry for them, but wouldn't change them for the word, we love every thing about them. Like I've sad before, there isn't much we don't do because of RA, but lots we do do because of it. My kids might not have the ideal childhood, because mum and big brother are sick sometimes, but they will grow up with a great understanding for these conditions, and anyone with a chronic illness. My son will have the advantage of having a mother who knows what it's like, even as a child. I do wish they didn't have to grow up wth such an intemate understanding of RA, but there isn't a moment in my life where I regret bringing any of them into this world, incresed risk or not. They are all so special, so unique, so stunningly beautiful. They are a great combination of my husband and I, all well being their own little people. It's just amazing to see

My grandmother had it, and my hands are mimicking her pattern and age onset. I also have a cousin who has it. I find it interesting that it skipped a generation. I wonder about my grandchildren, but I also worry when my 10 yr. old says her shoulder hurts, or her ankle, or what have you - I guess you just never know.

Angela

Thankyou all so much for your replies.

I guess it is just a chance we have to take. I would never let RA stop me and my other half having children of our own.

I don't think there is much chance of passing it onto our children because their is no family history on his side and none on my side. I am the only person in either family to have RA.

Of course any more input is welcome :)

Thankyou all

My understanding is that there have been a lot of people in my family on my dad's side that have had RA or some other autoimmune disease. There is Irish and American Indian heritage there. One can always hope for better treatments or even a cure for future generations. It certainly has to be a personal decision. Best of luck.

i just read my last post and it makes no sense sorry!!!

i'll try again, my nanna was irish and her parents too, i have PA and do worry for the kids (which i had already)

No one in my family as far back as I can trace it has ever had RA, arthritis or any autoimmune disease. Yet here I am with a severe case. I was diagnosed while pregnant, a pregnancy that had not been planned. At the moment my doctors have strongly suggested I do not get pregnant again as my first one left me bedridden the entire time and my son barely made it through. I do worry terribly about my child getting it, I wish there was a way we could find out instantly if the gene (if that's what it is) has been passed on or not.
Oh and I'm Italian and Chilean, don't know how much heritage plays into things.

RA does run in my family...my father has it. My two brothers are positive for the "gene" (their blood levels show), but they have never developed it.

I have been told to have your other half have labs drawn to see if they have elevated rheumatoid factor. It could run in his family and no one has developed it, ya know? If you both have it, there is a better chance of it getting passed on. But then again, there is the chance that your children may never develop it.

Its tough, but I feel ya Lucy!! Me and my lesser half :) don't plan on having kids for a few years but it is something that crosses my mind a lot. I can't imagine the guilt I would feel if my children had RA--the fact that I gave it to them. Ugh..makes me sick to my stomach. Talk to your rheumy, he can give you some more specific answers.

Good luck :)

The astonishing thing is that RA goes back 1000's of years. I am from Germany, My Mother has some form of Arthtitis, Osteoporosis she also is Diabetic. My Brother also has Osteoporosis. So this thing has been here forever. Read the Bible and you'll find it in there. Not that they called it RA,but a crippling disease.It's time we find a cure.