MS: Is it avoidable?

[Taurus]

This is the question especially to fathers with MS like me who often ask to their own self.
I know many of us are struck with this disease once they are between 20 to 40. I often wonder "Did I do anything that led to this or was it my destiny" I never smoked in initial 24 years of my life, never took any liquor, exercised to a good extent, had plenty of sunshine, got married and had an ok life like most of us.
During the same time, I think I got the first symptom. What did I do wrong??What should I do to save my kids from getting this disease except ensuring that they too get enough sunshine. By the way I know that MS links with genetics has not been established yet. Any suggestions

[scorpion]

This is the question especially to fathers with MS like me who often ask to their own self.
I know many of us are struck with this disease once they are between 20 to 40. I often wonder "Did I do anything that led to this or was it my destiny" I never smoked in initial 24 years of my life, never took any liquor, exercised to a good extent, had plenty of sunshine, got married and had an ok life like most of us.
During the same time, I think I got the first symptom. What did I do wrong??What should I do to save my kids from getting this disease except ensuring that they too get enough sunshine. By the way I know that MS links with genetics has not been established yet. Any suggestions

You did nothing wrong! period

[L]

Vitamin D3 supplementation for children!

[NHE]

Vitamin D3 supplementation for children!

Don't forget fish oil with lots of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA which are good for the brain, especially one that's still developing.

NHE

[Taurus]

I thank you all for your support and advice.

[Nick]

Hi Taurus

DIRECT-MS has a document that specifically addresses this issue. It is entitled Protect Your Family from Multiple Sclerosis and is found here.

The booklet's synopsis is:
This booklet emphasizes the high risk for contracting MS of first-degree relatives of persons with MS. It discusses the causal factors of MS with special emphasis on vitamin D deficiency as a primary cause. Finally it demonstrates that adequate vitamin D can likely prevent MS in most cases and provides a recommended supplementation regime.

Cheers
Nick

[dlb]

Taurus,

Your post is exactly what most of us have questioned. My neuro told me when I was dx'd in 2005 that my immediate family should be supplementing with vitamin D (brothers & sisters as well as my children). I have made them all aware & I NAG my children. Since then the recommended daily amounts have been adjusted but I think you will find a good article in the DIRECT-MS info that Nick provided about that - an article that Ashton Embry wrote (I just recently read it - pm me if you can't locate it & I will dig it up).
I have a difficult time believing that there is not a genetic factor because I have a strong family history on my father's side - all within my generation - several cousins in 3 different families, but 2 cousins have children with MS as well. I personally believe there is some genetics at play, so it is really important to me that my boys take vitamin D & their wives take vit D when they are pregnant. Nothing we can do about the possibility that maybe our Mom's didn't have enough while they carried us in the womb, but we can educate those in our lives, based on what we have learned....
I don't believe there is anything we did - I think it is congenital & environmental. It is like asking what we did to win a lottery (I should be so lucky!!)

[sou]

And of course, bad CNS oxygenation and malformed veins do not play any role in MS onset. Do not listen to evil rumors.