posted
I'm new here, so it might take me a while to get use to this forum., but I'll see what I can do.
My husband was just diagnosed with HD a few days ago. His mother had it and we are well aware of of how devistating this disease can be.
My concern is this.. I have 2 daughters and 1 son. I'm hoping and praying that none of them have HD, but I can't help but be concerned because of some symptoms in both my daughters.
One daughter has 'inability to reason' problems, but I'm not sure it's HD and my other daughter has had a lot of pain in her knees for years now and she's only 24 years old.
My question is... are pain in the knees and legs a symptom?
Posts: 2 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
As far as I know, pain is not at all a symptom. More than anything, it is the personal pain and humiliation that people with HD suffer from because of lack of ability to do things for themselves that they were once capable of. I think until massive choke-attacks, pneumonia, falls associated with chorea, people don't suffer pain. The beginning symptoms are mostly mood changes. Watch for those, if anything.
-------------------- -a cynical touch- Posts: 4 | From: Michigan | Registered: May 2006
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posted
24 would be very young to be starting with symptoms, so it's likely to not be related. But if she's in pain, it's worth chatting to a doctor about it and about your concerns.
posted
Your best information will come from medical help, not necessarily in terms of testing for HD, but to rule out other things. HD shows up in a big variety of symptoms and everyone seems different. Children who inherit the gene from their father are more likely to develop HD earlier. My daughter has HD at age 20 (with symptoms for several years), so 24 isn't impossible, but leg pain isn't usual unless it's due to excessive movements. Reasoning difficulties can be from a wide range of possible issues, too. Try not to jump to your biggest fear with your kids, even though I know firsthand how hard that is to do.
-------------------- Find a reason to smile! Posts: 2 | Registered: Sep 2006
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It's been a while since my last post and so far, there's not been any change. But my oldest daughter is in a serious relationship and is now thinking on being tested sometime in the near future.
As far as the syptoms starting at an early age, I found out that one of my husband's cousins at the age of 26 was put in a nursing home. That scares me a lot because I know that the same thing could happen to my kids even if their dad hasn't had severe symptoms yet.
I try so hard not to keep looking for symptoms in my kids but it's so hard not to.
Anyway... I don't really have much to add here, but I just wanted you to know that I did read your replies to me and I appreciate you taking the time to support me in this way.
As I read all your posts too, my heart goes out to each and every one of you here in this forum.
God bless
Posts: 2 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2006
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