Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Type 2 - Muscular Dystrophy Message Board

TDCB · 12-29-2008, 11:50 PM

Hi guys. I'm new to the board and just have a few questions. My 24 year old husband was recently tested for MMD type 2, and it came back positive, with a titer of 16,000. His dad and several of his aunts and uncles have it. We've done all the research I can online, but we're still left with questions. Of course we can't get in to see the specialist until spring:

. Does anyone know what I should expect as far as having children goes? Is invitro the only way to weed out the affected sperm? In your opinion, should we even worry about this, or should we let nature take its course in possibly passing this on, simply because it is a pretty mild form of MD. Any thoughts on what you think, as well as what we should expect in the future, symptom wise, would be great. Thanks in advance!

michigani · 12-30-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDCB

Hi guys. I'm new to the board and just have a few questions. My 24 year old husband was recently tested for MMD type 2, and it came back positive, with a titer of 16,000. His dad and several of his aunts and uncles have it. We've done all the research I can online, but we're still left with questions. Of course we can't get in to see the specialist until spring:

. Does anyone know what I should expect as far as having children goes? Is invitro the only way to weed out the affected sperm? In your opinion, should we even worry about this, or should we let nature take its course in possibly passing this on, simply because it is a pretty mild form of MD. Any thoughts on what you think, as well as what we should expect in the future, symptom wise, would be great. Thanks in advance!

TDCB,
I don't wish to give you life-altering advice. You will need to do some serious soul-searching about having children. But let me offer this.......

My father found out he had MD in 1961 just before I was conceived. I don't think my parents ever considered terminating or giving up on having kids.. And I'm glad they didn't go that route., (By the way they already had 2 unaffected daughters; my sisters). I've had a good and full life. Now, at 47 years old, I have MD also, but I am sure glad I am here!

I don't know if "bad sperms" can be weeded out. Maybe, but if so, it is technology that I've not heard about and is undoubtedly expensive.

Best of luck to you! -Mark

TDCB · 12-31-2008, 03:22 PM

Thanks so much for your advice. We're meeting with a neurologist in March, so hopefully he can give us some additional information. In the meantime I'll live on the internet! Thanks again!