please respond! Familial ALS - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Message Board

karen 126 · 09-22-2008, 01:59 PM

I've posted before, but have not gotten a response. Does anyone know how a person could tell if the familial type of ALS is in their family? Would it show up in close generations? I would appreciate a response from people who have had the familial type of ALS in their family. My mother recently passed away from ALS. No one that I no of in our family ever had it except her. I try to tell myself not to worry, but it is difficult after seeing what she went through.

rudiraven · 09-22-2008, 02:07 PM

Karen,
I'm so sorry about your mother. Did your Mom ever take any statin drugs for high cholesterol? I ask because some people have contracted ALS that had been on these drugs and no one in their family had ever had it. Just a shot in the dark to perhaps allay your fears.

karen 126 · 09-23-2008, 07:57 AM

Yes,
My mother was taking drugs for high cholesterol. I've heard about this possible connection before. Do doctors acknowledge this possible connection?

waywardandroid · 09-23-2008, 06:09 PM

My sister passed away 10 years ago from ALS and I was told then that there was no evidence of any family connection. I have not kept up with any medical advances since then. As far as I know there is no proven evidence that it can be hereditary.Hope this helps

rudiraven · 09-26-2008, 03:35 PM

Karen,
Most doctors will not acknowledge this connection but if you do your own research you will find some that do. There's a lot of information out there that suggests there is a connection. It won't help bring your Mom back but it may help you to not worry so much that you may get ALS, just don't take any statin drugs.