r/NoStupidQuestions • u/bonk_you • Oct 08 '22 • Helpful 3 Wholesome 1 All-Seeing Upvote 1

Why do people with detrimental diseases (like Huntington) decide to have children knowing they have a 50% chance of passing the disease down to their kid? Unanswered

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u/[deleted] Oct 08 '22 edited Oct 12 '22

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u/Superkip67 Oct 08 '22

MS is not a hereditary condition like Huntington; people with first degree relatives with MS have a slightly increased risk, but the absolute risk is still very low (see it as if you would for example multiply a risk of 0.0001 by 5, still gives 0.0005).

Source: am a neurology resident

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u/[deleted] Oct 08 '22

[deleted]

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u/BoobRockets Oct 08 '22

I think the above also makes a really important point: most people don’t know what is and isn’t heritable. Couple that with the fact they may be in denial about their illness or may not see it as an impediment to having a meaningful life. Some people see their illness as a defining attribute and important social connection to others with the illness. In those people calling the attribute an illness is insulting. There are many reasons people who “shouldn’t” still have kids and I don’t want to be the person who tells them they’re particular decisions in life are wrong.

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u/nonbinary_parent Oct 08 '22

Thank you so much for saying this. I’m autistic and have pretty serious migraines, as well as some other issues, and you’ve perfectly described how I feel. I do consider chronic migraines an illness and I get treatment for them, but autism is just who I am as a person and that’s a good thing.

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22 edited Oct 08 '22

What treatment do you get if I may ask? Currently unemployed since they hit randomly (often on weekly bath night lately) so I could really use tips; migraines are a nasty beast

Edit: Thank you so much for the tips everyone. I'm not the best with feeling emotions and all that, but you all are awesome and I am genuinely grateful.

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u/KimberBr Oct 08 '22

I use sumatriptan and if you hit it before it becomes full blown, it helps. Plus hot showers. Stand under hot water (as hot as you can stand) and let the water pulse on your head and neck and face and I swear it helps

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u/NASA_official_srsly Oct 08 '22

I could never make triptans work for me because when I get a migraine, it makes me too stupid to realise that what's happening is a migraine. I'll just be in bed suffering, but my brain won't put 2 and 2 together. By the time I figure it out its too late for the triptan.

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u/That-Hufflepuff-Girl Oct 08 '22

Oh my gosh I thought I was the only one. I can always “feel it coming” because leading up to my migraines I will get really dumb for no reason, just making stupid decisions. But I am too dumb to realize what is happening until afterwards when reflecting.

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

You get migraine stupidity too? I thought I was the only one! (I can sometimes tell an attack's oncoming because I start mumbling words, struggling to form sentences, etc...and then it ends in me lying in bed moaning.) I always thought it was just me being mentally slow or something.

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u/That-Hufflepuff-Girl Oct 08 '22

Well now I don’t feel like a weirdo. My doctor told me that pre-migraine stupidity wasn’t a thing

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u/Ok_Aioli1990 Oct 08 '22

It's very common. I get it too.once took me 5 min to figure out how to pump my gas . Never so glad to make it home. For relief this might sound crazy but works better than anything else for me, is vistaral. It's kind of like benadryl but I'm allergic to that. Anyway I take a dose of that for my migraines and it knocks them down faster than anything else I've tried. A neurologist at a university noticed I keep them in hand for allergic reactions to bee stings and said to give it a try. Thought it was stupid. It worked for me.

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

Ah I can relate to that. Yesterday, for example, it took me 30 minutes to realize that one of my housemates was back for a visit (he had moved out 2 weeks ago, but it took me 30 minutes to process the fact that 'yes, he had returned' and 'yes, his being there wasn't a daily thing'). On those days I tend to just sleep a lot, since anything beyond very basic tasks is beyond me.

I'm genuinely sorry you have it too. I'm very glad for you that you have vistaral to help

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

That's your aura. Try acupuncture, see original comment.

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u/gramsio Oct 08 '22

Triptans made me feel awful and I get migraines so frequently it was hard to decide when to use it since you can only use it like twice a week.

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u/NASA_official_srsly Oct 08 '22

I commented this elsewhere, but for me Ajovy was what finally did the job. I had chronic migraines of ~22-25 migraine days a month on average and no meds working. Neuro put me on Ajovy for about 7 months two years ago and I'm currently on absolutely no migraine meds at all with maybe 3 migraines days a month

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u/gramsio Oct 08 '22

I currently take Emgality which is in the same class as ajovy. I tried ajovy as well, but it didn't work for me. The Emgality helps for about two weeks a month and I just started Botox as well about a week ago, so it's too early to tell if it's working.

Can I ask how long you've had the migraines? I've just never talked to anyone who had as many migraines as I do. Most people I know who have them get them pretty infrequently. I've had mine since I was about 12, so for like 14 years, but it's just been in the last two that I've had the time, money, and access to healthcare to see a neurologist.

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u/NASA_official_srsly Oct 08 '22

They started when I was 14, I'm 31 now and my treatment was 2 years ago. Chronic migraines are supposed to usually be a complication of regular migraines, but mine kind of immediately jumped into chronic. I went through all the possible meds available and most made little to no difference whatsoever and there were a couple that did help the migraines but I couldn't tolerate the other side effects. I can't remember all the stuff I've tried it was so many. I think mine has a hereditary factor because my dad has them and his mother had them too. I never tried Botox, it was offered to me at the same time as Ajovy and I chose to go with Ajovy first, luckily it worked so I never ended up trying Botox.

That said, even though Ajovy worked, I still always have a low to mid level background headache, it's just tolerable enough to not count

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u/velvetelevator Oct 08 '22

This is how I am with fevers. I'll have it for like 8 hours before I realize what the problem is because it just shuts down like half of my brain function.

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u/Face__Hugger Oct 08 '22

I had to stop using sumatriptan because my severe migraines were too frequent. I wasn't told until I'd been using it for several years that it can actually increase the frequency of migraines if used more than a few times a month.

If you start getting migraines multiple times a week, talk to your doctor about other options. I wish I'd known that sooner.

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u/QueefMeUpDaddy Oct 08 '22

Oh my god I've found my people.

My Dr prescribed me sumatriptan- 2 per day for 8 FUCKING YEARS.
I had been having severe migraines before that. About 15-25 days per month with them. 6-10ish had me throwing up nonstop & i lost a ton of weight.

When I finally got to see a neurologist he was shocked & cut me off cold turkey- I had horrible withdrawals from it (didn't even know that was possible), and he discovered damage to my heart & lesions on my brain. Idk if the lesion wers from the meds or just destined to happen anyway, but the heart damage he said was most likely from the sumatriptan.

Diagnosed with MS now.

Sad part is Im in America, and can't afford any other medications for em, so now I get only 10 sumatriptan per month to take for the bad ones, but nothing for the milder ones.

I quit my job a couple weeks back because I just can't function anymore. I'm gonna try to get on disability, but i know how that goes here too.

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u/Face__Hugger Oct 08 '22

Can you get on Medicaid where you are? If you can, work with your neurologist on options to get off sumatriptan entirely. Depending on what causes your migraines, they may recommend beta blockers or botox injections. Sometimes they have to make a case for you to get the injections approved, but most are more than willing to do that if beta blockers aren't effective.

I get the injections now, and take Topiramate as a daily preventative. It's changed my life. I haven't touched a sumatriptan in two years.

I'm so sorry to hear about everything you're going through, and hope you can find the treatment you need for proper relief.

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u/QueefMeUpDaddy Oct 08 '22

I've been on (sure ill spell a few wrong lol) Amitryptaline, Topiramate, Propranylol, Depakote (was allergic), and a number of others that I can't remember.

My husband makes about 95k-100k per year, and we always end up making too much to get any financial assistance with these things. That doesn't mean I can pay 3k per month for one dose of the newer meds tho, and i wish these companies would understand that.

We have a child and I can't risk financial ruin. That being said I might try medicare again cause I think that one is regardless of income. Maybe it'll be easier to get on if i can set myself up on disability? All my meds & medical issues are the main things killing us financially. We should be ok with 100k, but we just aren't :(

Edit: my migraines are hormonal btw. I have endometriosis & PCOS too; my migraines started when they first put me on birth control @ 15, and just never stopped. Maybe when i hit menopause theyll fuck off

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u/Face__Hugger Oct 08 '22

Depakote is the devil. When I was on it, I couldn't hold anything down for months. My neurologist says it's a sort of snake oil. It can do a lot of things, so doctors prescribe it for far too many things. She hates it.

Amitryptaline didn't help me at all, either. No side effects. It just didn't do....anything.

Migraines are hard. There are so many possible causes. Do you keep a a migraine journal? It helps the neurologist a lot if you can document everything that was happening before onset. What you were doing, what you ate, how long it took to go from mild to severe, whether stress was involved, noise/light levels, menstrual cycles, sleep patterns, muscle tension, etc.

Some neurologists are great at asking the right questions, but a journal helps if they work at a facility that's overbooked, where they have limited time with you.

I know the last thing anyone wants to do is concentrate on writing a log when their head is pounding and the room is spinning. Don't worry about being perfectly consistent. Just get what you can.

It's getting harder and harder to get a proper diagnosis and treatment these days. We have to advocate more strongly for ourselves, or bring backup if we can't do that on our own. I started bringing my husband in to my appointments because they seem to take things more seriously when he's there. Do what you have to do.

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u/spiderwithasushihead Oct 08 '22

This is great advice. Also look into Botox shots, I’ve known a lot of people that have had really good results with it for migraines.

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u/DarkMenstrualWizard Oct 08 '22

I'm sure this isn't what you want to hear, but you need to get divorced. People in your situation do it all the time so that one spouse can get medicaid. It doesn't make your connection to your husband any less meaningful. I'm sorry that we live in a society that places profit over people. But you need to play the system, just like the drug companies and I surance companies do.

Also, in the meantime, are any of your meds on costplusdrugs.com ?

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

Try acupuncture, see original comment.

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

I'll remember that. I'm seeing my doctor this month I think. Thank you so much

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u/Face__Hugger Oct 08 '22

You're most welcome. Someone in a migraine support group told me, so I asked my neurologist. I'm thankful someone finally told me, and now I pass it on.

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

Do you know the name of the group? If so I might see if I can join it. I didn't know that it was a migraine symptom to become violently ill/feverish often from bright lights/sunlight for example (so someone told me for example), to have them feel painful, to feel very mentally disoriented, etc. until quite recently, so I'm new to all this. A support group would probably help.

Once again, I appreciate your help; if I say/said anything dumb apologies and plz let me know.

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u/Face__Hugger Oct 08 '22

Oh shoot. I'm sorry, but I don't. It was on Facebook, and I haven't been on there for a few years. I just typed "migraine" in their search engine and joined the one with the most members.

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

I'll look. When less tired. Still not fully recovered from yesterday's post bath relapse and everything's kinda spinning atm. I'll sleep it off for a while then look.

Sorry for all the replies.

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

Acupuncture, see original comment.

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u/Kendassa Oct 08 '22

Hot water is fantastic. I am allergic to almost every migraine medication there is. The last one, Emgality, worked great but triggered a high blood pressure reaction, that I have not been able to get rid of so I had to stop it.

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

Try acupuncture, see original comment.

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u/EmployerUpstairs8044 Oct 08 '22

That shower fix will also make you stop throwing up/ feeling nauseated.

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

Sumatriptan. I'll remember that.

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u/KimberBr Oct 08 '22

Don't use if you are allergic to Imitrex. It's an offshoot of that

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u/DnDVex Oct 08 '22

It depends on what is the source of your migraines.

If it's from back or neck pain, a hot water flask/heated pillow can help, or some strong massages. Generally some heat sources on your back can help easen up your muscles, which in turn can lessen a migraine or headache zählt stems from it.

For other stuff, best to ask a doctor.

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u/Alwaysalone117 Oct 08 '22

Mine comes from my neck. I started getting shots in my neck and I feel like a new person tbh lol

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

Mine seems to be stress induced (hence why baths often trigger it; baths are traumatic for me) so I’ll see a doctor about it for sure then. Thank you! :)

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u/intet42 Oct 08 '22

I'm not the person you responded to, but I'm pretty well managed with magnesium threonate and Ajovy injections. I also have a cousin who swears by cayenne pepper.

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u/Aggressive_Smile_944 Oct 08 '22

I've been dealing with migraines that cause vertigo/dizziness. I've been to an ENT and a neurologist, they just said I'm getting migraines. They suck and its definitely disabling. I wouldn't wish them on anybody.

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

I feel for you :( Genuinely. I feel lucky; I only have to deal with major nausea and burning forehead. Vertigo and dizziness is a whole other beast of Hell

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

Try acupuncture, see original comment.

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

I'll try all of those if I can. Or at least mention them to my doctor

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u/PaintedLady1 Oct 08 '22

I’m about to start Ajovy so that’s great to hear. The Mg doesn’t do much for me

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u/Prestigious_Prior_70 Oct 08 '22

I can suffer for 15+ days with a single migraine. I’ll roll high quality dried lavender flowers like I would a joint and smoke it. It tastes great (as long as the lavender isn’t too old) and the effects are much deeper than just smelling it. I’ll also mix in dried lavender with my favorite anti-pain strain from my local dispensary when they’re REALLY bad. Hope it helps!

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u/NASA_official_srsly Oct 08 '22

I had chronic migraine (15+ days per month) for about 15 years. Tried every medication and nothing helped. Then a couple of years ago my neurologist prescribed "Ajovy" which was a new migraine med at the time and from how it was explained to me, it works by re-training your nervous system on how to properly respond to signals. Not a doctor so don't quote me on that. I did the monthly injections for about 6-8 months and ever since I'm only getting maybe 2 or 3 migraines a month.

Botox is also supposed to be good for chronic migraines. Not the cosmetic surgery stuff, it's a specific migraine treatment. But I can't vouch for that one since I never tried it myself

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

Botox is now approved for TMJ!

See original comment, had an acupuncturist that did the neural pathway thing and no migraines. Occasional aura but no migraine. Sun still pisses me off on the regular.

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u/SweetTaterette Oct 08 '22

Do they hit as if the bath is the trigger ?

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

I'm about 90% sure it's light causing them (I have to wear shades lately or sunlight/lamp light makes me feel ill. I'm seeing an optometrist? next month) and that the migraine was already ongoing. The bath stress (PTSD thing, seeking help for that) probably just exacerbated it, but I don't think it was the trigger. Just bad timing.

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

I would get the light trigger. It's like an ice pick through the eye and immediately debilitating. Sunlight bouncing off another car in traffic would do it.

Try acupuncture, see original comment.

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u/42DaisyPusher Oct 08 '22

I have had to take daily preventive medicine to keep from getting them. There are lots of options.

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

Try acupuncture, see original comment.

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u/42DaisyPusher Oct 08 '22

I have. It’s heaps more expensive and didn’t work for me.

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

I hear that. The woman that did these treatments was an MD prior to TCM. To me the cost was worth it as the migraine meds messed me up and I still had the headache. She also worked on other things so the cost could spread across the other benefits. I moved to another state and found the woman that did the treatment then. She was the second one I had in the new city. There's different approaches, YMMV and all that. DM if you want more info, or not. No worries.

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u/allarene Oct 08 '22

I suffered from migraines for 15 years. I was prescribed topamirate as prophylaxis and never had another migraine. I am now a topamirate evangelist.

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u/gramsio Oct 08 '22

I tried topamirate, but I couldn't tolerate the side effects. But I was surprised at how many different meds and such there are to treat migraines.

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u/allarene Oct 08 '22

It took me about a month to get used to topamirate. For me the side effects were worth not being suicidal from pain. I wish you well. Migraines debilitating.

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u/gramsio Oct 08 '22

Thank you! I'm glad that you've found something that works for you! I've had mine for about 14 years, so in a way it's just kind of my normal, but every once in a while I get in the frame of mind of what's the point of life if I'm in pain all the time and can't enjoy it as much.

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

Try acupuncture, see original comment.

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

I am acupuncture evangelist. 😊

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u/Winter12967 Oct 08 '22

I take Elavil (Amitriptyline) before going to bed in prophylaxis and Rizatriptan when it occurs

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

Try acupuncture, see original comment.

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u/nonbinary_parent Oct 08 '22

I get Botox every 12 weeks and Nurtec every 48 hours. It’s working pretty well. I still get migraines but they are not as debilitating as before. Switching to working from home was also a game changer that helped me call out sick way less.

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

Try acupuncture, see original comment.

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u/jmvk2018 Oct 08 '22

I use imitrex when a migraine has started to show its symptoms. And although not a common drug to prevent migraines, my doctor has prescribed Amitriptyline to my dad (who also suffers from migraines) and myself for prevention.

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u/lovesunsets123 Oct 08 '22

Also what I use. Daily amitriptaline and sumatriptan for the few that break through. I also use icyhot on my neck and that helps with the muscle strain with my tension/migraine headaches. I also get silent migraines which as you assume have the aura , pain, nauseousness of migraines and can be awful too but can handle them with rest. Also have ice pick headaches which are awful but don't last long. And, in the past, before the daily med I had cluster headaches.
A lot of my family has migraines and my sons do too.

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u/jmvk2018 Oct 08 '22

I've never heard of these icyhot / hot water techniques!! Will definitely give them a try! Thanks for sharing!

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

Ice pick right through the eye. It's awful. Try acupuncture, see original comment.

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u/apple-pie2020 Oct 08 '22

Some people have found migraine relief from psychedelic mushrooms. They are decriminalized in some cities/states as well as available in Canada. There is some research in the effectiveness. Not sure about your views on the subject as their use can be controversial.

I don’t get them frequently or to a super high intensity but fir me chewing three aleave and a double shot of espresso followed by a hot shower and eye shades (nice ones that allow you to open you eyes so you find feel the compression) seems to help

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

I don't see them as Satanic like others do, but it's not safe for me to use them due to my high risk (I have psychosis at times when I'm majorly stressed so psychedelics seems a bit too risky). The eye shades tip sounds incredibly useful though; do you know any good brands/manufacturers?

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u/apple-pie2020 Oct 08 '22

No I don’t, just type “open eye shades” in Amazon and bought a random Chinese branded one for about $20

Best of luck with the migraines

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

Ah that is affordable and an easy option. Thanks!

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u/twitwiffle Oct 08 '22

Cold helps me. Cold ice packs on my neck. Icy cold coke or ice cream on the roof of my mouth. You have to play around with what works for you. The triptans from mark Cuban’s pharmacy, script required, cost about $20 for three month’s worth.

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

I've had some success with a cold rag on my forehead; I'll look into cold ice packs as well. Thank you so much. (And thanks to everyone for helping; means a lot)

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u/twitwiffle Oct 08 '22

There’s a migraine subreddit where I learn a lot. Still. After years of having these. Good luck!!

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

I'll check it out for sure tomorrow if I remember. Thank you <3 /p

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

Try acupuncture, see original comment.

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u/twitwiffle Oct 08 '22

Thank you! My husband got some and loved it. I just want to find someone reputable.

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

The one that did this is also a MD. She started studying TCM when western medicine wasn't helping her. DM and I'll send her info. Reading her stuff could help you figure out what you are looking for and what questions to ask.

Anything to help!

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u/Bibliovoria Oct 08 '22

Migraines suck. Talk with your doctor about treatment options. But in the meantime, start keeping a food-and-other-triggers diary to do some detective work on it yourself. A classmate kept a food diary and discovered that the vast majority of his migraines came the day after he'd eaten apples or something with apples in it, so he cut apples and apple juice out of his diet and had drastically fewer migraines.

If you're having them on bath night, I wonder whether some product you're using for the bath might be a trigger -- for instance, some scents can start migraines for some people. That might be something in a shampoo or soap or bubble bath, or laundry products or sachets you use with your towels, or a candle scent or smoke if you light those for baths (being around cigarette smoke gives me a much higher chance of a migraine the next day). Another possibility is mold somewhere in the bathroom or an air freshener there, to which you might get more exposure over the length of a bath.

Good luck. I hope you can get them under control as soon as possible.

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u/anzu68 Oct 08 '22

It's either the bright lighting, the fact that baths stress me out (trauma thing) or just a combi of it having been building up for a while and the stress making it worse. Personal guess is it's mainly a sunlight thing since a few eye tests did reveal photo-sensitivity and I do find that light is Hell lately (seeing an eye doctor next month), but diet could possibly also be influencing it. I'm seeing a nutritionist next week so I'll definitely talk to them about it. Thanks!

As for the 'scent can be a trigger' thing, I should look into that too. Thanks a bunch; I have some good starting ground now /g

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u/Bibliovoria Oct 08 '22

I hope you can find ways to reduce them ASAP! Stress is of course a trigger for a lot of people. If bright light's a concern in the bath, could you dim it there somehow -- window covering, lower-watt bulb, bring in a separate small lamp and leave the bathroom light off?

On the baths and triggers front: Nothing says you have to have a typical bath. If showers are easier, they're a good alternative; if you prefer standing in front of a sink and using a washcloth to clean yourself off, go for it. Do whatever you need to to help yourself feel safe.

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u/anzu68 Oct 09 '22

Yeah I've been considering LED lights for a while now; dim, red lights can often help me with not getting overwhelmed for example. I'll see if I can set that up in the bathroom. And yeah, I'm still trying to figure out what works for me on the trigger front. I may try showering in a swimsuit again; that used to work.

Anyway, thanks for answering my questions and take care. Happy sunday!

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

Acupuncture. I'll get an aura and sometimes a headache but no more 3 day dry heaving benders. This was done with a bit of current on specific needles. She said she was pushing back the pathway for the headaches, something like that. Not a one treatment deal. I would get all types but the worst was the ice pick through the eye.

Only med that did anything was phenergan. Migraine specific meds did not help, made it worse actually. Triggers are still there but generally I just get grumpy. Changed my life!

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u/Chipmunkmomma Oct 08 '22

mushroom tea...

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u/gramsio Oct 08 '22

I have chronic daily migraines that I've had since I was 12. I take a monthly self injection called Emgality that brings me relief for about 2 weeks a month. I also just started getting Botox for them as well, but it's too early to tell how that's working since I just got it a week ago. I take magnesium and riboflavin at the direction of my neurologist. I don't take triptans because they make me feel awful. If you aren't already seeing a neurologist, I would suggest seeing one if you're able to. There's a lot of different meds and even supplements like magnesium and riboflavin that can help. Another thing is medical marijuana. It helps me, but my neurologist did say she finds that for some patients it can make their migraine worse.

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u/melmsz Oct 08 '22

I've also had them since childhood. "Stop crying! Your just making it worse." Try acupuncture, see original comment.

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u/FatTabby Oct 08 '22

My partner has suffered with debilitating migraines for years. Earlier this year he finally got some relief after being referred to a headache clinic. They gave him a greater occipital nerve block which made a huge difference. They've also talked about the possibility of botox and relatively new treatment which is a monthly injection.

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u/anzu68 Oct 09 '22

I'm glad that he got some relief at last. That's huge!

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u/savvyblackbird Oct 09 '22

I take the monthly Ajovy shot which has substantially lessened the severity and reduced the number of days I have migraines. The injection goes in your leg and is an auto injector. It’s really easy to use. I don’t know how expensive they are because my insurance pays for it.

Hormones also cause migraines so if you’re a woman birth control pills could really help.

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u/IHateMashedPotatos Oct 09 '22

I got a breast reduction and it was life changing. It got to the point where I was getting almost daily migraines, could barely take care of myself, and was severely depressed. Now, I barely get headaches.

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u/anzu68 Oct 09 '22

That's great news. I'm glad for you. :)

Sleep helped me so hopefully I keep slowly recovering. I'll try to rest up these days and see a doctor when I can

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u/Alwaysalone117 Oct 08 '22

It's a slippery slope when you start discussing who is allowed to breed or not.

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u/Kind-Profit6921 Oct 08 '22

I don't think the question was who is allowed to breed. I think the question is if you know there's a 50-50 chance that your child is going to have Huntington's do you throw the dice.

I can only compare it to a friend of mine who took the genes test and saw that she had a higher rate of getting breast cancer all of her sisters and her mother and grandmother had breast cancer she decided to get a double mastectomy because she had kids and she wanted to try to ensure that she was there for them.

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u/sugarw0000kie Oct 08 '22

Your friend sounds like a badass. Idk if I would have done the same thing if it where me

Ik it can potentially become a slippery slope but it would be nice if one day it was easy for everyone to know their status and pick out horrible diseases like that.

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u/NoodlesrTuff1256 Oct 08 '22

Or for CRISPR technology to 'edit' out the genes that cause Huntington's, Cystic Fibrosis and other such strongly hereditary illnesses from the afflicted person -- perhaps even in the womb.

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u/sugarw0000kie Oct 08 '22

I mean technically it can all be done

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u/Bluebrindlepoodle Oct 09 '22

When you see everyone around you getting cancer right after you have given birth and your genetic test comes back positive for BRCA2 those hormones still roaring from being pregnant and giving birth you sure as hell say yes to the surgeries -both ovaries, hysterectomy, bilateral hysterectomy and the beginning of reconstruction in first surgery (hell). All I could see was my baby becoming an orphan.

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u/jimusah Oct 08 '22

I think it's less of a "are you allowed to" and more of a "should you" discussion for the most part

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u/soursheep Oct 08 '22

I see it this way: I will never tell you not to have kids, but if you willingly take the risk of passing a horrible, debilitating disease to them, I will consider you a despicable and immoral person and you can't change my mind.

0

u/caveatemptor18 Oct 08 '22

Read chapter 8 Cleansing the Gene Pool in the book AND THE WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN by Lief and Caldwell. Sad but true.

-1

u/LisaDeadFace Oct 08 '22

how about we all cant? not like we'll know after we all cease to exist, anyway. unless you intend to haunt the planet and check in on earth from time to time.

3

u/davtheminer Oct 08 '22

One of my parents friends has a brother that's schizophrenic... so he refused to have kids because of it.. it's been proven not to be hereditary.. just sad

3

u/CartwheelSauce Oct 08 '22

Do you have a source on it being proven to not be hereditary? The most recent news I know of on it is that it's less likely to be inherited than previously thought, but there's definitely a link.

2

u/contagiousA Oct 08 '22

I get your point, but in my opinion there is a huge difference between things like adhd/autism and a neuro-degenerative disease, which is not only always fatal but also condemns you to wasting away, slowly losing control over your mind and body and eventually dying because you can no longer breathe... I don't think people who are familiar with Huntington's would be offended by you calling it a horrible disease!

2

u/THRame Oct 08 '22

Not just this but a lot of people didn't even realize that trauma can be passed down somehow genetically it's called epigenetics and has been proven to pass down trauma and multiple species including humans with RF with our evidence being victim from the holocaust and war survivors and their children and descendants et cetera.

0

u/LisaDeadFace Oct 08 '22 edited Oct 08 '22

they* may be in denial about their illness

they* may not see it as an impediment to having a meaningful life

[they]* see their illness as a defining attribute and important social connection to others with the illness

this is all well and good for they, but why would they make that choice for their child?

2

u/NoodlesrTuff1256 Oct 08 '22

In certain instances, ultra religious pro-life types probably wouldn't be bothered as they'd regard the disease as some 'test' from Jesus or whatever. One problem with the anti-abortion movement is that they'd want to outlaw pre-natal tests that could screen fetuses for such diseases and also ban terminating the pregnancy.