SZ2980 wrote:I just got results from 23 and me, I carry 2 APOE e4 genes, but my questions are, what if any symptoms have people had throughout their lives? I'm just trying to see if there is a correlation between these genes and my symptoms. I will list symptoms I've had/have, please let me know. I am just about 40 years old,Thanks.
IBS (19 years)
Fibromyalgia (11 years)
Chronic inflammation (2 years)
Tinnitus (11 years)
Hand swelling (1 year)
Hand numbness/tingling (9 months)
Chronic pain (12 years)
Please let me know if anyone else has similar issues.
Welcome SZ2980,
We're so glad you found this site and are asking such a smart question! Looking for correlations and associations among the 2% or so of people like you and me who have ApoE 4/4 makes sense, although it is still an effort in its infancy. It's only since companies like 23&me became popular that more of us have discovered our 4/4 gift. Note: It's not all bad; 4/4 is a gift because some studies suggest we might share a far lower chance of cancer than others, and have higher verbal intelligence.
Because chronic pain, for example, can be caused by auto-immune issues like rheumatoid arthritis, or by sports injuries, or by fibromyalgia (which in your case has co-existed with the chronic pain), it's hard to sort out what might be due to a common cause, and what might be due to a mix of genetic and epigenetic (what genes get turned on and off) and lifestyle/environment/personal health history.
The good news is that we can take the approach of trying to figure out our own "triggers" and work on those. I'm guessing you have a doctor whose been seeing you for some of your issues, who may be willing to order some tests to find give you more info. Here's a specific section on inflammation from the Primer that Lisa G recommended:
Primer:Inflammation. Dr. Stavia suggests multiple strategies that may reduce your inflammation, which is good for your pain and your brain!
Here's a link to biomarkers that Dr. Stavia, who also ApoE 4/4 recommends:
Primer: Biomarkers/Tests. You'll notice that one of them, CRP or C-reactive Protein, is a measure of inflammation. It might help to talk to your doctor about what your insurance would cover to look at systemic inflammation. If your insurance won't cover some of the tests, you may be able to find an online source that is within your budget for testing here:
Direct to Consumer Lab Testing Options
At 40, even with the struggles you've had for years, you have time on your side. I am almost 68, and have had multiple risk factors, including tinnitus and hand tingling, both starting at age 55. The hand problems may have been caused by inflammation and worsened by stress and a naughty beagle. but PT was my saving grace, along with learning to de-stress about problems I couldn't fix.
I like the Stoics for that: they advocate for doing as much as we can to make our journey and each day a good one, and then accepting that we cannot control the outcome even as we live a life with purpose, joy and meaning.
Give yourself time to adjust to this news, and start with the low-hanging fruit--small changes in diet, exercise, mindfulness or meditation, sleep priority--that help you feel better and ready to tackle more. And enjoy that 40th birthday coming up--it will be about the same time I celebrate my 40th wedding anniversary. 1980 was a good year; 2020 can be the start of many good years!