Diet

[JennyCville]

Friends.. have your docs given any specific instructions as to your diet? Are there foods they recommend you avoid? Or are there foods you should include in your diet as well?

[Jaxter]

Hi Jenny Cville,

I Went to see a nutritionalist a few weeks ago, I was told there are no magic foods that help give the liver a boost but a healthy well balanced diet is the best way forward with no alcohol. When I am behaving and following this I feel a lot better. I am prone to being a bit naughty, when I am I pay for it with the dreaded itch! And general sluggishness.

I do have a cheeky glass of alcohol on special occasions but nowadays my main treat is a really lovely strong coffee a day. I have two little ones so some days do need two cups!

I also try to get out for a walk as often as I can, even if I don't feel like it as it always helps.

Wishing you wellness

Jax xx

[Foundry9]

Hi Jenny

Consultants/dieticians usually recommend a well balanced diet, not having too much fatty or fried foods. I also have coeliacs, so that limits what I can eat anyway. Everything in moderation is the key I believe.

Regards

[Debbiem40]

Hi, I have never - in all 13 years of having PBC - been told to eat anything or not eat anything in particular and have never been told no alcohol. I watch my weight anyway so try to eat healthily and usually have about 14 units of alcohol per week - as recommended guidelines.

[Belliver]

Hi JennyCville, when I first diagnosed, dr very adamant about no booze--- said maybe have small amount wine on very special occasions, he thot once a year more than enough!! ( yes, he was serious). I don't eat red meat very often or a lot of fried foods--- can tell when I've had them. Some PBC sites have dietary recommendations, quite a few of them talk about the development of celiac type tendendencies in PBC patients--- PBC is considered to be possibly auto-immune disease. Also it can affect absorption of fat soluble vitamins ( A,D,E, K) & calcium-- keep an eye on those levels through blood work. This is a wonderful site to get a lot of pertinent information about PBC--- you are asking really good questions!

[happyclam]

My doctor never offered any diet advice except not to drink alcohol or eat processed foods. I took it upon myself to do as much research as I could and met with a nutritionist. Through trial and error, I've found the only time I feel in top shape - mentally and physically, with the itch at bay is when I'm following a strict vegan diet. No meat, eggs or dairy and very little oil. About an 80% raw to 20% cooked diet and a ton of water. This way of eating is not at all convenient and is very hard to do if I'm traveling or eating in restaurants, so I just do my best to make the best choices. When I'm home, I stick to it and remarkably feel great. I just got back from a 4 day trip to Vegas - ate anything and everything I wanted and drank 2-3 glasses of wine a night. On the fourth day I felt like I got hit by a truck and had a horrible ache in my liver (which is troubling). I'm almost 2 days back on the vegan diet and starting to feel better. In the past when I've gone off the diet and then back on - it takes about 5 full days to feel good again. I don't think I'll be going off the diet again anytime soon - the recovery time is such a struggle.

[JennyCville]

Happy Clam - what good advice! It's similar to the way I began eating last year (gluten free, dairy free, sugar free) before my PBC diagnosis. (I was already in treatment for immune deficiency). I've let the dairy creep back in, and a bit of sugar (come on, I can't have wine!!) but my diet is still gluten free, mostly organic, and very "clean." I think I'll need to begin pulling the dairy back out, but we're hoping to go to Paris for Spring break and I know I'll be having some sugar there Had your doc given the okay for the alcohol? I'm too nervous to try alcohol at this point, especially with my liver aching every day as it is.

Take care, thank you for weighing in. Good luck getting back on the wagon

[Foundry9]

Just to say, regarding the alcohol. The consultant I see (one of the top NHS gastro's in the uk) advised against drinking, purely because we all know the effects of alcohol on the poor old liver anyway, sort of like adding insult to injury.

The last time I had too much to drink, I was jaundiced over night and spent two weeks in hospital having a work up for a transplant!

However, I had been on abx about two weeks before the jaundice, so they were a little undecided what the real cause was, it could have been them? The problem resolved and no transplant this time thankfully.

I don't take any abx anymore and very little pain relief such as paracetamol (and only the safe limit) but yes, I do have an odd glass with a nice meal 😌

[Jml123]

I've also never been told what to eat ( only to lose weight but no advances on this) and never been told not to drink alcohol I also would of thought they would of asked about family history but never been asked that either!

[Wordsworth72]

I think when it comes to alcohol it may depend on what stage you are. I'm thought to be at very early stages so my consultant said I can drink no up to 2 glasses of wine a week, however, he's said this could change if I get to the later stages. When I do drink wine, I always ensure I have lots of water that day and have not felt any ill affects. I think follow your consultants advice and not feel guilty about having the odd glass of wine, at the end of the day we are all doing our best.