This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I don't mean to complain but my family could use a break. I'm a 44 year old male and I've been diagnosed with MS since '04. My twin brother has yet to be officiallly diagnosed but appears have MS too. I've an older brother, now deceased from lung cancer, who had MS too. My 44 year old wife has had severe RA since she was 26. My son who is 14 has Psoriasis, as I do too. Now, on top of all that, we learn that my 9 year old daughter tested positive on her AnA test. I had never heard of this test till today. Our family doctor said it might indicate that she could have Lupus or RA or some other autoimmune disease. We can't hit the lottery but when it comes to autoimmune disease we certainly we are in the running for the jackpot. Anyone need to study genetics and autoimmune disease?

I just ran across this from a link in another post so I'm not sure about the quality of the information, but this page suggests that there are several other possible causes for a positive ANA test.

NHE

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ana/test.html


Hello Toyoterry,

The above link will take you to some information about the AnA test. It seems it's used for diagnosing a number of auto-immune diseases, including lupus.

I don't know if you're serious about offering up your family as genetic guinea pigs in research for auto-immune disease, but if you are, I think it's a generous offer and could provide valuable information. There has been research into familial links in the past, but I don't know if anyone is recruiting at the moment -- if I find out, I'll let you know.

Finally, I know you "don't mean to complain", but in my view why the hell not?!! My immediate family is in a similar boat to yours... cancer, Alzheimer's, MS, Huntington's disease... go on, complain away! We've all got to let off steam now and then!

Dom.

Toyoterry,
I'm sorry that all I have to offer is my sympathy but you sure have that.

If you already haven't you should read this article by Dr Noel Rose http://www.aarda.org/infocus_article.php?ID=28

I've never heard of a study which tried to determine if the genetics "double up" when two people with autoimmune disease have children. I'm sure you would rather not be involved in such an interesting situation, but it is interesting.

I thought this statement from the AARDA related to Dr Rose leaving the AARDA to accept the position as Chair of the NIH Autoimmune Diseases Coordinating Committee was interesting, accurate and not something most people are aware of:
Bob

Hi Toyo---I am sorry to hear of all your family's problems.

Maybe it is time to take a look at some infectious cause to what ails so many in your family. I find it very difficult to believe so many people could all have different autoimmune diseases. Each of the diseases that you mentioned have possible infectious causes. An epidemiologist might have a field day with your family.

Two sites I would VERY much recommend you checking out are:
CPn Help dot org and lymnet dot org. You will find many people in both places whose whole families suffer from these same various illnesses.

My nine year old also had an elevated ANA. It followed a bout of unexplained costochondritis, which was followed by a fever illness with joint pain which doctors later diagnosed as incomplete Kawasaki Disease. Trouble is, elevated ANA and Kawasaki do not go together. The Rheumatologists at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia could not explain it.
About a year and a half later my daughter began to have neuro symptoms (yes, very scary!) She's being treated for Lyme now and doing well--and her ANA is normal.

In my view, without knowing it you are already connecting the dots. Open the door and look at MS, RA, Lupus and Psoriasis in a new light.

Thanks to everyone for your kind resposes. I can handle MS in myself but its a whole different matter when my kids are concerned. We are going to meet with a Juvenile Arthritis specialist soon. I'll keep you posted.
Terry

An ANA test detects antinuclear antibodies in your blood. Your immune system normally makes antibodies to help you fight infection. In contrast, antinuclear antibodies often attack your body's own tissues — specifically targeting each cell's nucleus.

In most cases, a positive ANA test indicates that your immune system has launched a misdirected attack on your own tissue — in other words, an autoimmune reaction. But some people have positive ANA tests even when they're healthy.

Hope it helps