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auto immune diseases lupus MS multiple sclerosis siblings

Lupus & Multiple Sclerosis -What’s the Connection? IS there a Connection?

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This question has been on my mind for a good number of years.

Much like Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease. The disease attacks the protective myelin covering of the central nervous system. This causes inflammation and it often destrys the myelin in patches (phospholipid layer that surrounds the axons of many neurons of the spine). Most of the time, people with MS suffer from MS attacks and subsequently go through times of full or partial recovery. So, like Lupus, I guess you can say that people with MS have MS “flares” followed by times of remission.

I know that there are other similarities in these two diseases, but I also wonder if any research has been done in families where one family member may have one of these diseases while another family member has another.

Why? I have 3 older siblings. My sister is the oldest while my brother is in the middle. I have Lupus, my brother doesn’t have anything…but my sister has MS. She was diagnosed a few years after I was diagnosed with Lupus.

Of the people who may read my blog, if you know of any information or research that is currently being done or has already been done concerning autoimmune diseases in family members (especially if the research is on MS and Lupus), please let me know. I’d be super interested!

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  1. Anonymous February 25, 2009

    I have a similar situation to you. My father died from complications with MS of which he developed much later in life. I was recently diagnosed with MS. My mom has been suffering with Lupus for over 30 years. My half sister (same father different mothers) has MS as well. I came across your blog while doing the same type of research. Have you found any information? Did you find any information on environmental factors that might have trigged these diseases? What areas did you grow up in? Sorry…I’m sure we could discuss this quite a bit. E-mail me if you would like to chat further on this OceanZealot@gmail.com

    Reply
  2. Audrey September 30, 2009

    My situation is a little different. I had an aunt on my fathers side of the family who had MS. On my mothers side of the family I have an aunt and 3 cousins with lupus. Well lucky old me, I have both. None of my specialists have any other patiens with both so I feel a little alone here. If anybody else is in a similar situation I would love to hear from them.

    Reply
  3. Anonymous April 30, 2010

    Audrey,
    I got diagnosed this past summer with MS and now being tested for Lupus. I haven't found too much info on patients with both. Any info would be great.
    Thanks,
    Lisa

    Reply
  4. Audrey Barnett September 2, 2010

    Hi Lisa

    Do you use facebook? I have a group on there called Audrey's multiple sclerosis and lupus self help. I have a few members with both illnesses which I think you would find helpful x

    Reply

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