My uncle and I both have uc

Haha - Personally I don't think genetics have much to do with it... nor "autoimmune", but that's just my old goofy take.

Here this is from my Exploring Immunology Intro Text:

"The genetic contribution to a disease can be estimated by studying set's of identical (monozygotic) and non-identical (dizygotic) twins where one twin has the disease. If the frequency of the disease in the other twin (concordance) is higher in "identical" then "non-identical" this is strong "evidence" for genetic contribution. In most "autoimmune" diseases concordance is less than 50% in "identical" twins."

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You have to read the twin studies very closely, as it would seem that there is a very high rate between identical twins, but in actuality it is very low... same with "autoimmune". Around 20% or less.

In contrast Coeliac (oral sensitivity to gluten - or in actuality to the gliadin portion of the protein molecule) is somewhere around 70-90% in identical twins.

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Personally I think a lot of people forget that we know next to nothing about genes... and that genes are not necessarily just stationary or "fixed"... they can trigger in response to a "something"... So if a bunch of people have a "something" they may all show the same or similar gene expression.

Personally I'm more interested in just what exactly the "something" is.

Just saying, there's a WHOLE LOT to learn about genetics yet...

I assure you, whether you're enjoying it or not, this is your life.

Hey LaurieD

Looks like you have your third infusion coming up so you'll be finished with your loading dose. Are you noticing any improvement in symptoms so far? I noticed some pretty decent improvements after that final loading dose.

Good luck and I hope you start to feel a lot better!