Would it be poor judgement to produce offspring with a partner who has Multiple Sclerosis ?

Question

I have not found hard proof for sure that it is passed through genetics?

I am really appreciating the food for thought, I just got married 2 months ago and had a family member call me yesterday and said "you arent having children with him are you, he has MS..." and I just cant get that comment out of me head, we want a family we talked about all of this over the last 5 years of being together but what a downer comment, which lead me to think Am I not considering the bigger picture.

Answer 1

Many people that have MS have kids. It's really no different than a diabetic that has a family history of it having kids. There is always a chance that they can get it. If everyone was worried about passing something onto their kids the world would come to an end. I think they are getting closer to better treatments and possibly a cure for many diseases, so by the time our kids are adults, hopefully the Government won't be in the back pockets of the drug companies and these will come to light.

Answer 2

Hi ya' Kay! I have had MS for almost 18 years. Many people who have MS live very normal lives. It is not fatal, and it does not attack major organs. It is considered an immunological disease that affects the myelin which is the protective covering on the nerves. Most of us have what is called the relapsing/remitting form of the disease. which means that the symptoms come and go. Most people who have it work, raise families and maintain a social life. Unfortunately, some cases of MS become progressive and very degenerative. This usually takes years to happen if not decades....that is if it becomes degenerative at all. There are medications on the market that slow the progression of the disease and there are many, many more that are in the testing phase now. There are also medications to handle the symptoms. At one time about 75% of people who have this disease would eventually wind up in a wheel chair but now that figure is down to 25%. With the medications coming out that figure will probably continue to drop even more. Yes, this disease can be very benign. Although I have had it for almost two decades, nobody who meets me ever guesses I have it. The National MS Society has many groups that are for the mildly affected because we look fine but due to the disease we do not have the energy or the capabilities of most people BUT we LOOK like everybody else. A Neurologist would tell you that the biggest complaint of people with MS is low energy and poor short term memory. Please don't think of the worst for your Mom or for your cousin. That is the exception not the rule.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Go talk to a genetic counsellor and find out what the chances are of passing it along to your offspring. If you go ahead with having children then just be be well educated on how to deal with a child who may get it. It could be the chances are very slim; the best thing is to be thoroughly informed beforehand. As for the comment from the relative that was completely insensitive!

Answer 5

Although there may be some vague links to MS in genes,( sometimes heredity plays a role in ones likelihood of developing certain diseases later in life) [ but lots of diseases are like this]
Like many other people said, its not a genetic disease, it is autoimmune, it just kinda happens. It is not passed through like HIV would be per-say

Answer 6

my mother has ms, i don't have it nor do my other 2 sisters and 1 older brother, ms is just the luck of the draw, but i don't believe that it can be genetic.

Answer 7

I am not in the medical field, but would say no. - if we knew our futures, nobody would have kids... there's all kinds of things out there that can hurt and/or kill us. - don't stop living......do what you feel is right in your heart. if you want kids, then MS is not anything to consider or kick you off track of your life. - go for it !

Answer 8

No, it would not.

I have a good friend who has MS, his wife does not. They have three beautiful kids. All are healthy and normal.