Curious

[ginam]

Is there anyone with PBC on a biologic like Enbrel? Wondering if it helps stave off PBC.

[Hidden]

Not ever heard of biologic enbrel so can't help I will look it up though.

[Hidden]

Hi

I'm on Stelara for my psoriasis. I have PBC as well but I wasn't told it would help my liver but my bloods have been good and the PBC is only in first stage plus I don't have any itching so maybe it is helping

Mike

[ginam in reply to Hidden]

Good chance that it is helping. I'm on my way outside to get some sun to help alleviate my itching. It is driving me crazy. Did you previously have itching?

[Hidden in reply to ginam]

Hi Ginam

I have never had any itching been diagnosed for a year now.

Sorry to here your suffering so much. Have you been prescribe anything for it?

Mike

[ginam in reply to Hidden]

No I haven't asked for anything. Two of the choices, Naltrexone and Rifampacin are toxic to the liver and Cholestyramine interferes with absorption of other meds and causes GI problems. You don't need a prescription for sun rays and they are free. After a few days of sun, the itching ceases. I can just picture myself this winter, dragging my blanket out in the snow on a sunny day and disrobing. Lol! One good thing is that I live out in the country on a dirt road with very few neighbors that are a half a mile away in either direction. I can hear a car coming a great distance away which gives me plenty of time to cover up.

Glad to hear that you aren't itchy. I was actually itchy for 2 years before discovering that I was AMA positive. The itching would come and go. I thought maybe it was episodes of high sugar making me itch. The other thing that started showing up was xanthelasmas on my upper eyelid about the same time I first started itching. I told the hepatologist that I never had high cholesterol in my life. He said it didn't have anything to do with that type of cholesterol. I cut around them before they got too big. Can still see where they were but at least they aren't as big and don't stick out.

Was it abnormal liver enzymes that led to your diagnosis of PBC?

[Hidden in reply to ginam]

Yes it was. I had a blood test before I started my Stelara and they noticed a odd result in my liver blood results for AMA's. so I was referred to a liver consultant who arranged a liver biopsy. From that they saw the signs of mild scarring

[ginam in reply to Hidden]

Having a liver biopsy is no fun. Mine also showed I have a fatty liver.

[Hidden in reply to ginam]

The liver biopsy was horrible. I never want to have another. I was told I could have a fibroscan to monitor my liver. It tests the density apparently.

[ginam in reply to Hidden]

Yes, a fibroscan is what I want done next time instead of biopsy. I have to find another hepatologist since I received a letter that he was leaving. They are few and all so far away from me.

[Hidden in reply to ginam]

Where abouts do you live. I'm in the UK on the outskirts of London so close to my local hospital.

[ginam in reply to Hidden]

I'm from the USA. I live in a rural town called Rileyville in Pennsylvania. Are you planning on coming to watch me sunbathe? Lol! It really helps with the itching.

[Hidden in reply to ginam]

Hi

No I don't think my wife would like that lol. Besides I don't have a passport. We don't go abroad. Joking aside I'm glad the sun helps you. I think if I do start to itch I'll have to find another way to help it.