Genetic Predisposition

[Psyborg]

So at least one website says they suspect genetic predisposition might be part of this. I'm curious if anyone has had other people in their family get the disease? I ask because my grandfather died very young of kidney failure that followed a winter when he had the "flu" that wouldn't go away. He also had a bunch of medical issues before he passed, and this was back in the early 1970's when less was known about the disease. Just a curiosity as we don't have any way to determine if the disease had any impact on him.

[Jack]

I think it is generally accepted that Wegener's does not run in families. However, a genetic predisposition can still exist in an individual due to the variations that occur between the genes of us all. Some people's immune systems are closer to the edge than others!

[Sangye]

Jack explained it very nicely.

Some Weggies note a larger number of autoimmune diseases in their families, but some of us don't have any at all.

[elephant]

Half of my family has autoimmune diseases. I still think my dad has Wegeners disease, but mild...just too weird that we both had four maxillary surgeries and on the same side ( left). Antibiotics don't work for his sinuses...that is what he keeps saying. He did get his blood work checked out but it was all negative...I am keeping a close eye on him. He really doesn't like it but I told him to bad.

[JanW]

No autoimmune diseases in my family at all.

[julia]

I'm curious if anyone has had other people in their family get the disease?.

I have 2 sisters with thyroid problems
1 sister with Graves disease(thyroid)
1 sister with epilepsy

All their problems appeared around age 47-48. As did mine.

My youngest sister is nervous about turning 47.

My brothers seem to be fairing o.k. (knock on wood)

[pberggren1]

Our family has quite a bit of autoimmune diseases including other vasculitides such as Giant Cell Arteritis.

When I talked to my doc yesterday he said he had one patient back in the UK with Wegs. Whenever she was exposed to hydrocarbons her Wegs would flare up.

[Sangye]

No autoimmune diseases in my family and generally great health. I used to fit that category, too.

[sharon]

hi everyone
no autoimmune diseases in mine either
although we do have policystic kidneys and liver. v. prevalent on my dads side, 7/10. With more than our fair share on dialisis (my dad starts soon less than 11% kidney function)
i managaed to dodge that bullet at least

[Jack]

Nothing in my family. They all seem to live to a ripe old age.