Hello, first time posting hoping for clarity to my questions.
A close family member has MS and three other extended family members also. Recently Ive had some difficult health issues, digestive, vision, bladder and a few others. All blood and other tests have come back fine. My doctor asked if I had anyone in my family with MS before I had these tests and when I said yes she said she hadnt expected me to say yes. I was under the impression that MS was diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 40 ish and now Ive read that there is such a thing as late onset MS and truthfully Im worried Im in my late sixties and I have an appointment to see a neurologist in a few months. So I awlays thought MS wasnt hereditary but is my risk greater because of my family and what can I expect when I see the neurologist?
Welcome.
The neurologist will look at your symptoms to date and decide if a mri scan may be needed.
The mri can be used to identify many things (or nothing at all).
I was diagnosed at 53 years old. I don’t think ms cares about age, young or old.
I am sure on the ms society site there is a page covering what to ask your neurologist .
It might help to have a look at that.
I hope it goes well anyway.
Regards
EH
People with a close relative with MS do have a somewhat higher risk of being diagnosed with it than those without, as I understand it. MS in the family is definitely a risk factor. But it’s the difference between a very small risk and a small risk. Do have a search on the main part of this MS Society website for proper info.