My Tips to help all those with the itch which can drive you insane day and night!! (PS photo is of me and hubbys family wedding day 1/5/14).

[littlemo]

Drink plenty of water plain is best 1-2 litres per day

Avoid too much caffeine, sugar, foods that are high in fat or very spicy.

Eat small and often (for me its every 2-3 hrs) healthy foods.

Keep within government guidelines for alcohol if you do enjoy a drink (personally since diagnosis in 2002, I only drink on special occasions 2-3 drinks.)

Avoid if at all possible(!!) stress, it just makes the itch worse.

Try to prevent infections, I personally take vitamins to boost my immune system specifically High Dose Vit C from start of Oct - end of April. (lately though I am taking it all yr round.

Take medications as prescribed. I have always taken Questran Light which definately does help to reduce or sometimes alleviate it completely. Currently I take one sachet before and one sachet after breakfast which keeps the itch at bay during the day at least, with all the above little tricks also. I also take extra sachets of Questran Light as and when required.

Hope this helps some of you 'scratchies' like myself out there you have my total sympathy I have been to some very low points in my life because of what I have always referred to it as 'That Bitch The Itch!'. Bfn take care of yourself and your family and most importantly keep positive do not let PBC rule your life. x

[CheshireEm]

Thanks littlomo, that's really helpful for someone like me who's quite new to the itching. One thing I've really noticed is chocolate makes me an awful lot worse. Don't know if anyone else has found the same?? Broke my heart

[littlemo in reply to CheshireEm]

Yes I found that too I think its the combination of sugar and caffeine thats in chocolate. However fear not I do not deprive myself of the odd treat but funny enough a few yrs ago I went off milk chocolate and now I usually have dark chocolate as a treat eg Raspberrry Ruffle bar/ Bournville/ Frys chocolate cream I tend only to eat a couple of segments in one day. Makes it last longer too. Best of luck.

[Hidden in reply to littlemo]

Interestingly dark higher content cocoa chocolate contains iron.

[littledragon23]

Hello littlemo

such a beautiful wedding picture!!!! It looks like you had the most fab day

Although, I don't suffer as much from the itch as most of you do here, I kinda stick to a similiar diet. I can tolerate spicy, but can't tolerate fat that well therefore I am sticking to a predominantly vegetarian and low-fat diet with frequent and small meals a day. This is something that works well for me.

[cazz22]

Hi little mo.what a lovely picture.i trust you all had a marvellous day