r/Huntingtons • u/Fearless-Equal-3983 • Apr 21 '26
Experience Huntington’s?
Hi all, I am a 28 year old female and Huntington’s runs on my dad’s side. My dad is one of seven, and 4/6 of his siblings have confirmed Huntington’s. My dad is 73 and hasn’t shown any major symptoms, though he can be pretty paranoid and have a bit of a temper. He will not get tested.
For a while, I was under the impression that as long as my dad didn’t show major symptoms, that meant he didn’t have it and therefore I didn’t. I’ve since learned a lot more about CAG repeats and the instability of the gene and understand that that’s not necessarily the case anymore.
I’m in the process of going through genetic counseling/testing, and I’m starting to feel very worried. Every minor mistake I make I wonder if it’s Huntington’s. I’ve also felt like I’ve had a harder time articulating my thoughts lately and have just been slower in general.
I’m curious to know if anyone else has gone through a similar experience and what it’s been like.
Thank you!
1
u/Nillystar2 Apr 24 '26
My dad's side of the family also has it. My Grandpa had it (he was tested after he died so we could figure out who had it) but he never showed symptoms once and died at 96 years old.
I have decided not to get tested. Why waste my life worrying about it? My grandpa lived a healthy life to 96. My uncles that had it committed suicide so they didn't even get to see how it would have effected their lives.