Auto Immune Family

[chris.wg]

RA very much is a auto immune disease. That is why we all tend to see rheumatologists. Because they treat auto immune disease. I never realized this myself until I started seeing my old doctor. I like many associated them as the arthritis doctors. But that is because RA if I had to guess is probably the most common type of AI out there.

[freakyschizogirl]

As I understand it, RA is an autoimmune disease, and can sometimes be very severe. It seems pretty common in the population and thus may be dismissed by people; they may think of it as "just arthritis" and not be aware of how severe and damaging it can be. And then there are those unlucky ones of us (not me, so far) who have more than one autoimmune disease.

My mum definitely gets this. She is only 53 and yet people look at her odd like why has she got a walking stick and scooter? And think arthritis is just arthritis and not how severe it can be. Mum's being put on a new drug trail so hopefully the next drug is the one that works.

[annekat]

RA very much is a auto immune disease. That is why we all tend to see rheumatologists. Because they treat auto immune disease. I never realized this myself until I started seeing my old doctor. I like many associated them as the arthritis doctors. But that is because RA if I had to guess is probably the most common type of AI out there.

That is why a lot of rheumies have a lot of experience treating RA and possibly none at all treating WG. It is not to minimize RA at all to say it is common; it would just be nice if they were equally prepared to treat all autoimmune diseases. But they can't be blamed for having little opportunity to get experience treating WG. Perhaps they should at least be taught more about it and the rarer AI diseases in medical school, at least to recognize the signs and be able to get it diagnosed and treated, if not by them, by someone more experienced.

[chris.wg]

I agree 100% Anne. Lucky for myself I have only ever had dealings with good rheumies. I mean even the first one was excellent for 2 years and when he realized he reached his limit in ability to help me didn't hesitate to refer me to a better facility. But honestly in rheumies's defense this can truly be said about all specialists or doctors in general. No excuse obviously but none the less true.

[godgirl]

My Mom had inclusion body myositis (sIBM) and polymyositis. My uncle (her brother) has Crohn's. There may be others... I'm attempting to get medical histories of my cousins on that side. My two younger sisters want to know, too. I'm the oldest and this hit at age 42. The next in line for us girls just turned 38 and she's pretty nervous.

Anne, you are right. Auto immunes don't tend to run alone. Even though I'm not officially diagnosed, my rheumy and ENT think I have Wegs and Cogan's. No biopsies yet - and they won't officially diagnose without a positive biopsy. But they are treating me as if I have them. Luckily, the treatments are the same...

Jen

[Geoff]

THis is a shock to me as all the evidence I have seen and the lectures I have attended make out that WG/Vasculitis is Not Heriditry.

Either way, if youve got it, youve got it. Perhaps its that given a set of Genes you are more predisposed to walking that particular road?

[annekat]

I think that's it, Geoff; it isn't hereditary because it isn't directly passed down through genes, but we can be genetically pre-disposed toward being susceptible to autoimmune diseases, whether Wegs or one of the others. The experts could explain it better, I'm sure.

[windchime]

Both my parents escaped any auto immune diseases, but with the luck of the draw, my sister and I both have them. Sjogren's for her and Fibrosing Mediastinitis for me. Lucky us.

[Kathy B]

My family is loaded with AI issues -- I have hypothyroidism as do 4 more of my 7 siblings (one hyper) plus mom, gma, uncle. One sister has peripheral nerve disease (disabled) and MS. And my 32-year old son was dx'd 3 years ago with ulcerative colitis. Growing up, there were 12 neighbors within a 4-block radius who were diagnosed with MS in varying forms/severity. Since we grew up a few miles (as the crow flies) from a chemical plant, we were convinced of the culprit. Years ago the Cleveland Clinic reviewed the cases and determined they weren't related to the plant. We still believe in the familial connection!

[mishb]

My mums sister and her son both have RA.

Apart from that, out of all my brothers and sisters and my parents, it is just me that has an AI
............but then I got greedy and took more than my fair share - RA, WG and MCTD