I've been reading posts here for some time as well as caring for my husband and got to wondering. Could there be a corralation between a Family Memeber Being HD Positive and Others in the Family having Neuro issues that are not HD?

Here is why I ask, My Brother in law has revealed that he has similar "siezures" to my son. Russell is as far as we know HD free and my son shows no other signs of having this disease. THese seizures are not grand mal but seem to be some form of Petite Mal. There have been many, many who posted on here waiting for test results that would explain Neuro symtoms who turned out to not have this dreaded disease, the latest example being Joanies Daughter who thankfully turned out to be HD Free."

Is there any documentation on this. Is there in fact a high insidence of neuro issues with children of HD Positive parents, that are not HD?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/03/2009 05:52AM by franj.

I don't think there is that kind of data. You have been around long enough to know that HD doesn't make someone immune to anything else. I don't know the hereditary nature of epilepsy. If he is having seizures, those will have to be treat as seizures, whether HD is the cause or not. Seizures in jHD are more common than adult onset. In the end.. I guess if one tests negative then they will call it epilepsy and if pos. they will attribute it to HD. I don't think they would diagnose HD in the clinic by seizers alone. I think most people who have symptoms on here have them go away after testing and not have other serious conditions. I can think of a few who have had something else but not many. Some that have been waiting on the HD test result didn't have an HD family history. I am trying to think before Jonie's daughter who had been tested with HD like symptoms but had something else, and I can't. Likewise I can't think of anyone who would have tested for HD because of seizers alone or where those were the first or only symptom.

Eric,


I didn't mean to imply that the seizures where a sign of HD although I know they could be one of the issues this being the only issue and one he seems to have had since he was very young (he's now 14), I know that this alone does not necessarily mean HD. As well since my brother in law ( non HD) has also had them since he was very young,( the same ones in fact), I guess I was simply wondering if there was a genetic link or a higher rate of Neuro Problems in HD Families than in other families, or if it's simply just an unfair coincidence.

I suppose I wondered if the genetic defect that causes HD could in fact cause other issues to otherwise HD free family members.

The HD is based on one gene, and the effects are pretty well established. I have heard of symptoms that are close to what you are describing, but the patient had been diagnosed with HD, and was more advanced.

Having HD doesn't protect you from other ailments I'm afraid.

Ok got ya.. I think it's just unfair coincidence. I don't think HD predisposes one to anything else or precludes one except a couple of kinds of cancer may be reduced by percentage of the population with HD.. and can't remember why..

Thank you Eric and Fred for your responses,

I know that on the basic level that being in an HD family does not exclude us from other issues. BUt on another level there are days when I sit here and try to make sense of it all. I find myself saying "enough already" How much can one family take.

I know I am not alone and reading the posts here help, but there are days when It really does feel like a very lonely existense.I guess in a way I was looking for a reason for the Madness!

Thanks again your response really did help
Francine

The problem is one family can only take so much. And one person. And lonely sucks. It's the worst part if you ask me. I think that accounts for a lot of what we do and think in the end. I think the best thing I did is give up on the "why's" and moved onto the "how's" of it. When i assigned purpose to it.. it meant I had bigger responsibilities in the grand scheme of things. Hard enough to take care of someone without some big purpose. So when I just concentrated on doing the job it was quite a relief to me and not worrying about a greater purpose or it making sense. People get sick and someone else has to take care of them. Sometimes it's pretty fulfilling.. sometimes it's just hard and pretty lonely and not what we want to be doing or watching. I don't think anyone one anything has it out to get us. Some people have a bad heart or diabetes or whatever..we all have chinks in the armor. HD is just one of many and that's ours. I feel better knowing it's not personal..

I agree with Eric and Fred that people with HD can certainly have OTHER diseases, as well. Just like the general populace.

I've seen no studies which indicate that HD families have a higher incidence of other neurological diseases...

jl

Hi Franj

We still are trying to find out why my daughter has chorea symptoms. Since she was adopted we do not know anything about her birth family's history. Is there a history of familial chorea? Who knows. I think the important thing that the folks here helped me realize while we were waiting for results is that huntington's is much more than the physical symptoms. You can have physical symptoms that look like huntington's but aren't. Can someone else in your family have neuro problems that have nothing to do with the huntington's? I guess it could happen and that would be horrible. Hopefully your brother in law is seeing someone to determine what is wrong with him. It could very well be something that is fixable.

Good Luck.

Joanie,
There is something called Sydenham's chorea which has something to do with having had some childhood disease. It's non-progressive. A movement disorders specialist diagnosed it in one of my students ten years ago.

Hi Paula

Sydenham's is a result of a strep infection. The chorea can occur months after the initial infection appears to be gone. Two of the blood tests to help diagnose sydenham's are for sed rate and C reactive protein. My daughter tested negative for both.

It is amazing home much you learn that you never wanted to know!

Eventually we will figure it out. Thanks for the input Paula. I appreciate any suggestions.