RE: [AIHep] Re: AIH in Family

[Guest guest]

Thank you Sharon and Louise for your encouraging words. I know I need to relax.

Before AIH, I was also diagnosed in my beginning 30’s with a sarcoma cancer in

the breast and thought I was going to die from that. Then the AIH in 2009

brought on new fears. It’s been a rough 5 years, everything is under control

now but I think I might have something like PTSD (Post traumatic stress

disorder) from that time when constant death was looming over me. I haven’t

gone the therapist route yet, but might check into it at some point.

Sabine

From: AIHep [mailto:AIHep ] On Behalf Of

sharon93_19008

Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 6:45 AM

AIHep

Subject: [AIHep] Re: AIH in Family

Sabine,

I've only heard of one instance in which two members of the same family both had

AIH. But the chances of another family member having some other AD is much

higher.

My daughters were 1 and 3 when I was first diagnosed. They are both healthy (now

adults, ages 27 and 29) but I have repeatedly told them that if they ever have

unexplained symptoms, to let their physicians know that autoimmune diseases run

in their family.

In the meantime, I suggest you let your children live the best lives they can.

Try not to pass your fears onto them. We can hope that in time, discoveries will

be made that will lead to better diagnosis and better treatment for all AI

diseases.

If you continue to have these obsessive thoughts, you may want to consider seing

a therapist. There are therapists who specialize in working with people who have

psychological reactions to physical illnesses. Therapy might help you learn to

relax and avoid passing these fears onto your children. I wish you well.

Sharon

>

> I have been diagnosed with AIH in November 2009 and I know that Autoimmune

Diseases run in families but that it’s most likely not always the same

autoimmune disease. I read about all these kids having AIH and I am in a

constant panic that my kids might develop AIH, they are currently 5 and 7. They

have no symptoms, except about once every 2 or 3 months, my son has a stool with

no color (which is odd but not sure if this is liver related). I have mentioned

this to his doctor before, but he said it’s normal and no further testing

needed. So here is my question, do we actually know of a family where the mother

and a child BOTH have AIH? Just curious. I myself have 4 autoimmune diseases

(AIH, Celiac, Hashimotos and autoimmune Urticaria, plus a sarcoma cancer In the

breast and Cushings) and I find myself often in panic that either I or my kids

develop an autoimmune disease and we don’t find out until damage ahs

already been done. ly it’s quite stressful and I was wondering if

somebody else had these constant thoughts and what do you do about it?

>

> Thanks

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> Sabine

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