World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2024 is on Tuesday, May 28, 2024: Multiple Sclerosis?

Tuesday, May 28, 2024 is World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2024. The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) was established in 1967 as an international body linking the activities of National MS societies around the world.

The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) was established in 1967 as an international body linking the activities of National MS societies around the world.

There are conflicting opinions on this subject. If you go to the NINDS site (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke from the National Institutes of Health) it says "In the population at large, the chance of developing MS is less than a tenth of one percent. However, if one person in a family has MS, that person's first-degree relatives-parents, children, and siblings-have a one to three percent chance of getting the disease." Please go to the link below and read the section on Genetics.

Then this from the NMSS (National MS Society) "Epidemiologic surveys have determined that an individual's risk of developing MS increases several-fold if a close family member has MS. While the average person in the United States has about 1 chance in 750 of developing MS, the risk for a person who has a parent with MS increases to about 1 in 40. MS. Thus, the risk increases significantly for a person whose parent has MS, but still remains relatively low. These risk estimates, however, are oversimplifications that can easily be misinterpreted. We now know, for example, that risk estimates can vary greatly depending upon the structure of a person's family. In families in which MS occurs in many relatives, the risks for any given individual are significantly higher than they are for an individual who has no family members with MS. Risk for MS is also affected in part by a person's ethnic background and other factors that haven't yet been clearly identified." For the full text on Genetics from the NMSS please check out the link below.

Here from Neuroscience for Kids "Susceptibility to MS probably has a genetic component. If a person has MS, there is an increased risk that a close relative, such as a child or sibling will have MS. The identical twin of a person with MS has about a 33% chance of developing MS. However, because this chance is not 100%, MS is not strictly an inherited disorder." That link is also below.

There is research that shows Vitamin D may help protect you from MS. I have read that family members of a person with MS should take Vitamin D every day and that may help prevent MS. I tried to find that link but couldn't. However, there is a lot of information out there on this subject. Here from the NMSS "Vitamin D has effects on the immune system that could be beneficial for people with MS. In studies of immune cells, vitamin D shows anti-inflammatory- effects. In an animal model of MS, vitamin D supplementation reduced disease severity and vitamin D deficiency worsened it. Additionally, a large, ten-year study found that women who took vitamin D supplements were 40% less likely to develop MS. However, since this was not a placebo-controlled study, the decrease in MS risk may have involved many other factors." The link for that is also below.

So you can see there are some great variations in the opinions on whether MS is "inherited". The best advice I can give you is to be as well informed as possible. That's the same advice I give to everyone diagnosed with MS. If you or your mother would like to join my Yahoo Group MSersLife to discuss things please know that you are welcome. The link for the group is also below.

I hope you don't develop MS but even if you do it isn't the worst thing in the world. People do live long, happy lives with MS. I was diagnosed over 10 years ago. Good luck!

Sharon

Multiple sclerosis-genetic?

Doctors still don't understand what causes MS, but there are interesting data that suggest that genetics, a person's environment, and possibly even a virus may play a role.

Researchers believe that MS may be inherited .First, second and third degree relatives of people with MS are at increased risk of developing the disease. Siblings of an affected person have a 2%-5% risk of developing MS

It's believed that there is more than one gene that makes a person more likely to get MS. Some scientists theorize that MS develops because a person is born with a genetic predisposition to react to some environmental agent, which, upon exposure, triggers an autoimmune response.

The truth is, no one really knows what causes MS. I have had MS for many years.I am a 49 yr old F, I still work full time and lead a full and active life.An MS diagnosis isnt the end of the world, it just feels like it in the beginning.

My best advise to you and your Sister, Research all of the "C R A B" meds and find which best suits her needs and lifestyles.They all have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.Second stay active,exercise , eat right and easy on the alcohol and last but not least..stay positive !

As for you, don't worry about what might be..MS like lots of things in life is uncertain..If it happens then take a deep breath and face each day as they come.

Copaxone

Rebiff

Avonex

Betaseron

Possible Multiple Sclerosis?

Yes, but then again there are many diseases and conditions which could be causing the symptoms you are describing. You could have what is called relapsing remitting MS in which the symptoms come and go. I have MS and couldn't walk, talk or see out of my left eye for months. Were you to meet me today, you would never even guess that I have MS. I lead a pretty active life. The lesions that are indicative of MS do not show up on the MRI at the onset of the disease. And sometimes a spinal tap will also give no indication that a person has MS even though they do. MS is not easy to diagnose. It took me years to get a diagnosis.. You could have lyme disease or some other neurological or immunological disorder. I would suggest that you go to a clinic that specializes in MS. The neurologists there will be better able to rule out other diseases and come up with a diagnosis for you. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS.ORG) can direct you to the nearest clinic. I wish you all the luck in the world.