Does Sjogrens run in families?

[jaygee]

Just got off the phone to my sister, who lives in Canada so we only get to chat to each other every couple of weeks or so.  Well, I had been telling her about Sjogrens and she had a look on the web and she thinks she has it too.  She's gonna go and get checked at the doctor.

This sister and another sister, both older than me, both have arthritis for sure (both have had both kneecaps replaced).  I get very achy and stuff, but haven't had trouble with my knees, although I get various aches and pains in regular places (back, neck, hips, wrists).

My sister was telling me today about how she has to chew gum to even be able to talk on the phone, and about how her eyes stick in the morning.  She had never joined up anything until we talked about it recently.  She is always super-busy (like me) but we also talked about the fatigue and also about how, when I was very young, I could never be got out of bed for school, etc - or how I was always wanting to sleep     We both agreed that if you have dry eyes and dry mouth, because it is normal for you, you don't pursue it further, until it gets really bad.

So - do you know if it runs in families?  On my father's side I know there was quite bad arthritis and also my niece (brother's daughter) has Lupus.  xx

[Scottietottie]

Hi Jaygee 

Autoimmune diseases seem to run in families but not necessarily the same disease - although it's possible. It's not directly hereditary but there must be some genetic propensity for it to affect families.

I have SjS/lupus. My oldest son has just been dxd with Crohn's. To the best of my knowledge neither of my parents had anything. There is autoimmune stuff on my husbands side though so all my kids better watch out! Both his sisters have pernicious anaemia, thyroid problems and osteoporosis. His grandmother had rheumatoid arthritis.

Your sister could have it too and it would be worth testing.

Take care - Scottie 

[ohiolady]

My dad and three brothers had crippling rheumatoid arthritis.  When I made it through my forties with no RA, I was so grateful and thought I'd escaped the curse.  I was diagnosed with Sjogrens at 51 years of age.  I had a first cousin, one of my dad's brother's daughter, that had Lupus at 11 y/o and died at age 23 from the disease.  Her sister has RA.  So, yes, I believe the propensity runs in families.  I just wish there was more research into autoimmune disease and hope for a cure.  So much of the treatment is with toxic drugs.  I sure hope they can do more with stem cell research.  

Anna

[Cheryl]

Jay,
   It is definitely possible for more than one family member to have Sjogrens.   My own mom had it before I was diagnosed.  I have 2 first cousins (siblings) who both have it.  I do agree with Scottie and Anna that autoimmune disorders in general tend to run in families.  It sounds as if your family has more than your share of it!
Cheryl

[Patze]

Hi Jaygee,

The others have made a good point, more than one family member can have SJS, and/or any other AI too.

I do have rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid issues, & diabetes in the family, but other than a genetic issue or two, not much else (that I know of) running around the family tree (and I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one! )..


Patze

[Billydude]

I read an article a while ago that said that one of the ways that you can get it is if your mother has either Sjogrens,  Celiac Disease or Hashimotos that the mother passes on genetic markers that make a child have the genetics to be open to getting Sjogrens or any other autoimmune disease.   Of course they felt there were other possibilities as well.     My own mother has Celiac Disease so I think that may be my excuse.
Steve

[elise]

Yes, Sjogrens can run in the family, my dad has arthiritus and things, but one day he visited the doctor and he had the same things as me, not diagnosed with sjogrens yet but he gave this to me when i was born, i feel sorry for him, he gets upset about it, but so what? i have it now, no gettin' out of it so just live your life while you can!

Take care! 

Elise   

[gsmraxe]

I found out a few weeks ago my Mom has Scleroderma and i have SJS.  Not sure which side of my Mom's family this came from, but now I know WHERE it came from 

[ruby52]

I kept reading it wasn't necessarily hereditary but my sister just got a Lupus dx although another said no.It's AI of some kind though.My mother had a lot of AI symptoms but wouldn't see the Dr. and had an alcohol problem so that clouded the problem.
                                                          Ruby

[Crabcakes]

Like someone already said, Sjs/Lupus/Scleroderma, etc. is not hereditary, but the tendency for family members to have these diseases exists. To me, this supports the theory that some of these diseases may be caused by a mutation of a gene, from exposure to toxins, viruses, chemicals, etc.

My cousin has lupus, and my daughter has MS.

[Wynter]

The only person in my immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents, etc) that might have something remotely automimmune is my dad. He has the Epstein Barr virus, but he hasn't been tested for it for several years. I am the only person that has these weird problems.

[Scottietottie]

There's a theory that the Epstein Barre virus might trigger autoimmune diseases but its a virus - not an AI disease. I think its it that causes mono (glandular fever)

[jaygee]

I had "glandular fever", which I think is same as Epstein Barr, from age 17 to 27 years, when they finally removed my tonsils!   Does it mean I still have that virus in me?

[JenJen]

Jaygee---I have tested positive for Epstein-Barr, but never had mono.  I think once you have had it, you will test positive for the antibodies.  I must be a carrier for it, or had a mild case of mono and didn't know it.

Like Herpes Simplex I, a large part of the population has been exposed to EB.  I know there are researchers trying to link viruses being the impetus to starting an autoimmune condition, but really there has to be a very complex chain of events to trigger it.  I absolutely am positive AI disease runs in families.  My Mom had CREST scleroderma/sjogren's, her mother RA/sjogrens, my sister has Hashimoto's, I have seronegative mostly neurological don't know what but seems like sjogren's, I have 2 daughters and I am watching them like a hawk for stuff without being too obvious.

I just wish there was more research/public support.

[karleesgranny]

I had read somewhere that sjs was or could be linked to genetics.  well i was dxed just a couple months ago and now my sister has been dxed so I guess you could say we are a prime example of that thought.  She has had a bad time with everything lately.  She just had a stint put in her heart,  had a hyatial hernia repaired and ended up in icu. She and I both just got over a bad case of thrush mouth.  She and I both have the same symptoms as far as sjs but some of hers are worse than mine.  Like sometimes we have these spells we call them where we get like nervous shakes and feel weak as water. and sometimes break out in a  cold sweat.  I have not seen anything like this associated with sjs so far but if any of you have i would love to know.  cause I havent the slightest idea it use to go away when i ate but now it doesnt Its totally confusing.