Family Patterns

[Psyborg]

Now I know that Wegs amoung family members is exceedingly rare, but that AI diseases in general on the other hand is pretty common to be shared. How many have had that shared pattern?

I'm concerned about my daughter. She's had repeated sore throat issues all school year this year. Its affected her swallowing, and breathing to an extent. But she's never had a fever. Add in that she's clearly more fatigued, and that some rheumatic factors are testing slightly elevated and I'm concerned she might have an AI disease as well. She's been on antibiotics 4 times now and no affect. It isn't the same situation/symptoms as I had, but it smacks of some similarities. She does have a ENT appointment scheduled for next week now. Am I just being paranoid based on my broader experience in this area?

[mishb]

I find the same thing, Bob, with my daughters but also with other family members and friends.

Now that I know what to look for, everytime I hear that so and so has really sore feet and tingling hands and pain in the elbows and sore throat etc, I automatically diagnose them as having some sort of RA or vasculitis condition.

Especially when it is a daughter or my husband that starts having the sore throat and the joint pains, I instantly think that it is worse than it is.
My youngest was actually born with tonsilliitis and had to have penicillin injections every couple of hours from birth. She is now allergic to penicillin, and antibiotics don't seem to touch the sides..........but she does come good (it might take a bit longer) ......... and therefore no AI disease.

Maybe it is a case of ........ we now know too much.

I pray, for your daughters' sake, that you are just being paranoid

[freakyschizogirl]

Sad to say it runs in my family - granddad had lupus, mum has RA and me Wegs. My sister seems to have escaped tho.

I do worry about having children (eventually) cos its like knowingly putting someone at risk - or am i just being a bit paranoid?

[delorisdoe]

I had a child. I dont worry too much. Plus, I have not yet anyone who wishes they were not born due to their autoimunity...at least not for longer than a while.

[HopeinTN]

In my case, my brother and sister both have Chron's Disease. I was so lucky to be healthy until now. I would think it's not a coincidence, but who knows. As crappy as Wegener's is, and if I had to pick, I think I would chose this over Chron's. My sister's is bad and she has had so many surgeries to remove a lot of stuff. Not good at all.

[Al]

Bob, as the saying goes, just because you're paranoid doesn't meant they aren't out to get you. Once stung, you naturally begin to suspect all hornets. In your daughter's case, though, forget the family ties: The current recommendation is whenever antibiotics are ineffective, test for AI diseases. The problem is that AI is often the last thing to look for, after all other leads have not panned out. This delays treatment, possibly endangering major organs. The idea behind the current recommendations is to speed up the diagnosis. I would suggest the services of a top rheumy, who should know of these things.

Al