1st specialist appt

[Nenagh21]

My Dr says I have ama in my blood test. I am meeting a rheumatologist next week and am wondering what questions should I ask? My Doctor isnt concerned because my lft is fine..I'm about to leave my job after 29 years. Is this condition a "disability "? Thanks

[Michiganpbc]

A positive AMA can mean that you Have PBC. To confirm that they usually do a liver biopsy here and many labs and scan. It depends where your Liver/GI doctor is at. Mine is at U Of M and they have to have a liver biopsy there. You can have a normal lab LFT, and still have PBC . If not treated to slow progression it certainly can be a disability. Even when treated the symptoms for some are disabling. Everyone is different. Some have no symptoms and respond to the med URSO and live a normal life span. Some have other autoimmune diseases along with the PBC very common I have 3 now. I would ask for a confirmation of PBC to rule it out here that would be a biopsy. It is a 15 minute procedure here I had no side effects and they were able to stage the disease by this procedure. Let us know what you find out, ask us any questions here we are here for you.

[Nenagh21 in reply to Michiganpbc]

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me..my doctor wasn't concerned as my lft is ok but I'm insisting on getting checked out further as I'm itchy, in pain etc.. she hadn't come across it in 38 years and wasn't that interested either!! I want to get as much information together as I can..good luck to you with your future!!❤️

[Michiganpbc in reply to Nenagh21]

You can have normal LFT and have PBC, most doctors never heard of it as it is a rare disease I was misdiagnosed by 2 GI doctors and 1 internist, I am at stage 2 because of that. Insist on a liver biopsy and see a liver doctor, it is a progressive disease and no cure so don't let them talk you out of ruling it out, be persistent on ruling it out , do you have a liver doctor you can see soon?

[Nenagh21]

I had already organized a rheumatologist because my pains were getting worse so my Doctor said to see what he says first. I have to contact the liver specialist next after pushing the doctor for a name I can contact..I will definitely follow up now after what you have told me. My mother was stage 4 cancer at 65 because she didn't ask questions.. I want to be ahead of this disease.. thank you so much!! You could be saving lives you know.. fair play to you.. ❤️

[Michiganpbc in reply to Nenagh21]

Get in to see a liver doctor as soon as you can🙏

[teddybear7]

A rheumatologist doesn't deal with PBC as such, & may not know a great deal. You need to push your Dr for a proper referral to a liver specialist. X

[Sachin1234]

Ama can be positive on other auto immune diseases like in lupus, rheumatoid arthritis beside pbc so may be that's why he wants to send rheumatologist first! Good luck and hope your problem will be resolved soon as possible ..