To me getting tested is a scary, life changing, necessary event. I know a lot of people put it off. My two brothers are among them. They just can't bear to have the diagnosis. Who can? Anyone faced with that kind of shock is in for an unwelcoming surprise. My cousin Leanne, sweet girl was in for a horrible shock, when she found out that she had it too. It is not always a happy road that I am on, and I realize that. But I do understand how hard things could be. They get really brutal when such a lifestyle change is inevitable. If you have a positive result, they will recommend anti- depressants for a year, if you are having a hard time. I did it made a great difference, and I am still on them to this day. They will also make you see a psychiatrist as part of the process, and if you have a positive result.
The first of us Lisa, she had the best result ever, she does not have it. This is good as she has a kid now. She was chosen to be a Mom, which is what she told me one day. See if people get over the scariness of it, they might come to best result ever, non- positive for the gene. If those who test positive want children they can be gaurenteed a healthy child through pre natal scanning. In Canada it costs $10,000. Me and my husband are thinking of that option. Another thing with family members that don't get it, they have a great guilt, that worsens when you see the others in your family get sick, or more members of your family are positive. That's what happened to Lisa, I told her never feel guilty, cause it doesn't affect me much. People with mental illnesses that get a postive genetic test, are of great risk for suicide, hospitalization, and suicide attempts. You just have to realize, no result is worth your life. I had a friend kill themselves. You never realize how bad it is for the survivers. They will always feel the guilt for the rest of their lives.
I will tell you what the Testing process entails. You have to get a hold of a genetist. You can look online, or if you have family connections, you can get a hold of them that way. That’s the best way through family, cause they already know you. That’s what I did, and they had already seen me and my brothers before. You call them arrange the first appointment. That’s when you meet the whole team. They inform you about HD, and the testing process. Then next you meet with some workers, they take your blood. Your next meeting is with the psychiatrist, to see if you can handle it. I saw him 3 times before I was done. Finally you are given your results. The whole thing takes 4-6 months. If you are positive, then you will see the whole team once every 6 months. I’m going to explain why everyone that has the 50/50 chance should get tested. It affects you future in so many negative ways if you put off. Just the way you live your life constantly wondering: Do I have it? Do I not? They will always haunt you. Instead of just knowing what you exactly have to face in the future. You can know whether to have a family or not. Can you imagine bringing infected kids into the world? That’s my Grandpa Budd's worst fear. That should be everyone worst fear. Another thing it affects negativly is Career/ School. What if you chose a long term goal, or go to school and pay all that time and money in something, and start getting sick? Can you see the negative effects? Also, if you find out soon you can get all the appropriate treatments earlier. They will do more good that way. The sooner the better.
Plan for both good and bad results, that way you can’t go wrong
Plan about future career/school plans, you will need several options for whatever result you get
Try to have fun in the process, hang out with family, friends; don’t get caught in depression or negative patterns that make it harder for you
Just have the thought that no matter what the results, you will live your life the best you can
Get Life Insurance. You won't get coverage if you get HD
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