FSGS is it an autoimmune disease???

vanessakb
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So I have done a lot of research on whether or not FSGS can be classified as an autoimmune disease. Some say yes some say no. They say yes because there is a certain gene making the protein attack one of our organs (kidneys).

Another reason I think it is an autoimmune disease is because my two other sisters have autoimmune diseases. Older one has antiphospholipid and the younger one has MS. NO one on my mothers side has any major issues; however, my father was adopted and was only able to find his birth mother and she was basically no help.

Any thoughts or knowledge is welcome!!

6 replies

carrie63
  • By carrie63
  • Posted July 13, 2008 at 7:43 am

This is no help at all Vanessa, but I have MS and my daughter has FSGS. But there's a growing body of opinion that MS is not autoimmune after all. Confused? Me too. I can only conclude that no-one really has a clue! I've done a fair bit of research - which has only added to my confusion. Sorry for a useless post...

fsgsblahs
  • By fsgsblahs
  • Posted July 13, 2008 at 10:59 am

There are some autoimmune disorders associated with FSGS, like Takayasu (sp?) disease , fibromuscular displaysia, and some other more rare ones. I had a rheumatologist come out of retirement to do a majorly thorough work-up on me, in order to see if there might be a link with my sudden circulatory problems and the FSGS. I came up negative for everything that they could SAFELY test for, but they wanted to do a contrast study for the Takayasu and fibromuscular displaysia, so we will never really know....my creat. is too high to do this test.

The neph I saw at the local teaching hospital said they believe FSGS is associated with a gene "mutation" (podocyte disfunction..kinda), which wouldn't really qualify as autoimmune...., but then again, what really makes autoimmune disorders/ diseases? Although I don't recall now, but we sudied some disorders that were caused by mutated genes, but they were not considered autoimmune....my memory is for crap anymore! I will go back through some of my Anatomy & Physiology books and see what I can find.

I probably was of no real help either, just a bunch of useless rambling...lol.....sorry!

mamagemini

So far MCD is an Autoimmune but I guess if you have MCD and FSGS it is autoimmune?
So I would classify it if it was with MCD. Have you typed this question into the search engine? hold on let me try...go here:

http://drgreene.healthology.com/kidney-health/article891.htm

Let's take a look at what is prescribes for autoimmune...prednisone. Whats the first thing they give us...prednisone.

I think that about answers it.

Unless - it is familial.

louink08
  • By louink08
  • Posted July 14, 2008 at 7:26 am

Current thinking among scientists seems to be that primary FSGS can have various causes. There are genetic mutations in the kidney that can cause one type and there may be more mutations not yet discovered. Unknown auto-immune causes are suspected for other cases.

BridgetL078

Many of my doctors have explained to me that FSGS "may" be an autoimmune disease and have treated me as if it is. After my first and second transplant I was treated with plasmapherisis which takes out my plasma and replaces it with new stuff. This is supposed to get rid of the disease if it is autoimmune. It did not work after the first trnaplsnat but after transplant number 2 they did it immediately before and then after for over a year. It worked for a while but after my protein levels in my urine and creat. started rising they decided to stop the treatments and within weeks I was back on dialysis. So it seemed to be the only thing keeping the recurrence at bay but still did not work completely so that still leaves me wondering what this disease really is.

Annika1
  • By Annika1
  • Posted July 15, 2008 at 3:45 am

My oldest sister has MS.
Annika from Sweden with FSGS

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