What PBC does to your brain (corrected due ... - PBC Foundation

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What PBC does to your brain (corrected due to the effects of what PBC does to my brain.....)

channelview profile image
19 Replies

....and here is the correct link to the article: " Primary Biliary Cholangitis Alters Functional Connections of the Brain’s Deep Gray Matter "

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Published July 2017

If you get very groggy and fall asleep during the day, regardless of where you need to be....and drop things for no apparent reason....this article is extremely useful to read, and a big relief for me after years of being bullied by GPs and some consultants. Just a few months ago I was told by an endocrinology consultant "PBC doesn't have any effects really, does it?". Please share this article, it will be very useful for anyone who is having problems with medics who refuse to help and e.g. tell them that unless they have developed cirrhosis PBC is completely harmless. It isn't and here is the proof. At last someone has actually bothered to do some research. Many thanks to the researchers and docs who have published this - long, long overdue.

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19 Replies
mtrafter profile image
mtrafter

Very interesting article! I should send it to my Gastroenterologist who yesterday told me that because I did not have cirrhosis as yet, my fatigue, brain fog and poor concentration was not related to PBC!

in reply to mtrafter

That's the exact explanation I had from my consultant, she even sent me to rheumatology for further autoimmune testing thinking I had something else as well. Rhumatology explanation was I had a functional disorder i.e. Nueological ( brain gone haywire ) are we back around to the neurological affects of pbc... iam going to take this reasearch next time I go..

GrittyReads profile image
GrittyReads

Great work channelview, thanks for reposting. I'm sure many will benefit from this.

You are a star!

Mirimaur profile image
Mirimaur

My specialist has not mentioned these things . I could not read the whole article I'm afraid I just could not understand it all and the medical terms . I believe someone yesterday said this was an old article .

in reply to Mirimaur

I think you will find Mirimaur, that the article is a fairly recent one (states it was published July 8, 2017) - if you look down to the "References" there are quite a few dated later than 2010. Of course there is always the possibility that the article may have been an old one that has been updated to include more recent studies that confirmed the original findings.

Di

Mirimaur profile image
Mirimaur in reply to

Thank you Diane . I did try to read it again but o found some of it too over and above and beyond me , if that makes any sense. Some of the findings at the the end of the article were inconclusive and some of the findings seemed to depend on how chronic The fatigue is .I did not quite understand about the grey matter in the brain . When I next see my professor who treats me I will show him this article .

I guess it disturbed me a little as I dread the thought of depression and behaviour problems. It's hard enough to deal with as it is. I am trying too be as positivite as I can.

I did Also read in the article you sent that excersise can help .

A lot too take in !!

Kind Regards

Miriamx

Mirimaur profile image
Mirimaur in reply to Mirimaur

sorry predicted text I meant to not too

in reply to Mirimaur

Ha....you're not alone in not understanding parts of the article ('grey matter'), I'm kind of struggling with understanding it myself.

One thing though, NOT everyone with PBC will experience depression or behavioural problems - I've been diagnosed for over 28 years and really have not experienced depression. Behavioural issues, in the form of Hepatic Encephalopathy (see link below) have begun to be a bit of a problem for me, but then again, I'm Stage 4 with extreme fatigue, so these symptoms come as no surprise.

I guess my point here is don't worry about something that might not happen ;-)

Di

clevelandclinicmeded.com/me...

Mirimaur profile image
Mirimaur in reply to

Dear Diane , Bless you , you have made me feel better . I must admit that article frightened me somewhat .

I have just been diagnosed , very early stage , mild fibrosis .I am now on Urso . I am so pleased that you have not suffered with depression . I pray neither will I .

Did you take Urso when you were diagnosed twenty eight years ago . I pray you will be ok . You look so young and well in your photo . Thank you for helping me

Miriam x

.

in reply to Mirimaur

Thank you for your kind comment, Miriam - that photo was taken about 5 years ago and sad to say I'm now looking about right for a 71 year old ;-)

I didn't start taking Urso until I had been diagnosed about 7 years - I don't think it had been approved here in Australia when I was first diagnosed.

Glad I could help - a couple of things to remember always get copies of all tests etc. and only ever look at medical sites, or this site, for information concerning PBC.

Take care

Di

kandiepat profile image
kandiepat in reply to

Reading that article made me think - I feel depressed, not throw myself under a bus depressed, but as if something is holding me back, I don't want to get up in the morning, or go out - I'm thinking of all the things I have to do days ahead and how I can get out of them. Even visits from friends I dread. Ive been like this for sometime, I don't have any demands on me like many of you do - just me and my husband - I'm so boring I don't know why he stays with me. Could this be the grey matter that this article is talking about? Kandiepat

in reply to kandiepat

Not sure about that Kandiepat, but extreme fatigue appears to influence my thinking patterns to such extent that I don't want to have to deal with people, mainly because I don't seem to be able to follow conversations etc.

Maybe having a chat with your doctor would answer your questions.

kandiepat profile image
kandiepat in reply to

Thanks DianneS, I expect your right, I need to count my blessings of which I have many. That's better than pills I think 😀Big hug from Ireland kandypat

Ballymahon2 profile image
Ballymahon2 in reply to

You have pbc a long time diannec have you been keeping well over the years have you any tips on diet how have you kept so well over the years

in reply to Ballymahon2

I'm doing okay for someone with cirrhosis 😊

As for tips on a diet - I've never followed one. I have pretty much eaten whatever i wanted over the years. You will find as time goes by that you will eliminate certain foods because they no longer agree with you - well, that's what I have done over the years.

Ballymahon2 profile image
Ballymahon2 in reply to

Thanks dianne glad you are doing well

Ballymahon2 profile image
Ballymahon2 in reply to

Dianne i have been depressed since i got diagnosis great you have not experienced depression

Cass1 profile image
Cass1

Thanks for this explains a lot

Mirimaur profile image
Mirimaur

Dear Diane , I'm sure you still look beautIful. my professor at the hospital always sends me my results and test details of my blood tests and scans and biopsy details.

You take care and be well

Miriamx

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