Hi
Does anyone know if there is anything that can be taken for anxiety when you have PBC,
I’m having real bad anxiety lately haven’t had it before, was diagnosed with PBC last July, I have a lot of stress in my life currently and think this is causing my anxiety but I’m worried if medication will make my PBC worse,
Thanks in advance for any replies
Roz xx
There are medications doctors prescribe for anxiety with pbc and they are safe
Sorry I can't help with the medication Roz, but if it's the PBC you're worried about, we've all been there. You do come to terms with it and it's usually not as bad as you first think. Consult your PBC doctor for anxiety treatment and PBC foundation will help with any worries. Take care.
My Internist gave me zanax in July but I’ve not taken any although it would probably make things a little more pleasant for those around me, lol!
Those things can be addictive. Be careful if you decide to take them.
I’m aware. I’ve had them before when my mom died. I’m definitely not one to take unless absolutely have to😊. I don’t like to take them, they make me hungry for sweets, lol! But oh what a peaceful 😴
Good. I avoid all meds if I can. Only if absolutely necessary. I am so paranoid that if any doctor who is not my Hepatologist prescribes it to me or if OTC, I always ask for "permission" to take it. Lol. 😂
I’m with you there😉
He gives me 25 mg & I cut in half if I take it. Now keep in mind I’m 63 & my dr does drug test before giving & they can call you in at any time for another test. Hilarious but I understand why they do it.
Good girl! If only all doctors do what your doctor is doing, we wouldn't have an opiod epidemic in US.
Right about that. He also covers his back side😄
Hi gwillistexas,
what kind of drug test did your doctor do before prescribing? My doctors never done that. My rheumatologist gave me cymbalta for fibromyalgia and I took 1/2 pill, that night I had to go to ER.
Another incident happened when I had IV idoine injected for CT scan, I broke out with hives.
I wish there's some kind of test they can do before giving it to me.
Thanks,
Jane
He did a urine drug test. I looked at my prescription today. In July he prescribed 40 with 2 refills before October, lol! Hilarious. I think it was a mistake.
I’m sure the test is to make sure you are clear of anything before they prescribe something like zanax.
is that test for zanax only? It would be nice to be able to test adverse reactions one might have for a certain drug.
Yes it’s probably because it’s a controlled substance. He abides tightly by State regulations. At one time, I could call for a Zpack for respiratory & he would prescribe without seeing me. But for about 3 years you have to be seen.
Unfortunately we don’t know we’re allergic to certain meds until they’re in our system. I’m allergic to a few antibiotics that I took in years past. Our system changes.
Thanks. I am learning everyday. 
Me too. You’re welcome 🤗
They can. I asked my doctor to check for allergy to aspirin and another time for Doxycycline. I'm allergic to both and have bad reactions to many drugs.
I also broke out in big red strawberries and itched like crazy. Last spring for my CT scan, they also put Benadryl in my veins and it worked like charm. I know, not great for the liver but neither is the dye.
I also cut .25 mg. in half, and still only take it on occasion. However, and for reference - when I have an MRI of my brain and spinal cord, they give me 2 mg. Xanax (I talked them down to 1.5 mg. the last time) and my hepatologist said that was perfectly fine. The MRI scan takes 2 full hours with my head in a tight-fitting cage (think Hannibal Lecter) and they need me pretty much out. (I should clarify that the MRIs are NOT for PBC, I have MS and other autoimmune conditions). Point being though, that an occasional Xanax for anxiety shouldn't be any problem as far as your liver is concerned, just be careful to be alert to any signs of dependence, as others have cautioned.
No worries 😀
Hi I would be very carefull taking this medication it can become very addicting I personally replaced it with excessing and relaxation ,
Yes it can be if you allow it to be. I never take it unless I need to calm down. I personally don’t like to mask anything 😊
And they are a downer so you should never take them if you’re down & out. It only makes things worse. I learned this when I had my son. I was on bed rest 7months. So from total bedrest to taking care of an infant took its toll. I thought zanax would help but it made a mess out of me. My OB/GYN said never take when depressed. So because PBC tends to cause a little depression, I don’t take them.
I take doxepin at night to help with itching and sleep. Hasn't work very well last 6 months. I have days on end that I get very little sleep. But, in the literature it shows doxepin is used for anxiety.
Rozm2004. Hi there,. I have been diagnosed with PBC 8 years ago, and lately I have been hospitalized a few times with the symptoms of a heart attack. My heart rhythm is irregular at times., Also have thyroid hyper and under active. All autoimmune related. I also started wondering whether it was not Panic Attacks I get. The specialist also does not really had the right answer. Cardiologist said my thyroid was attacking my heart. I can get up in the morning and after a few runs to the toilet I can start to feel very sick. Palpitations, difficulty in breathing, dehydrated, blood pressure high, and after some oxygen and being put on a drip, my vitals will return to sort of normal. I figured all this out for myself that it is the liver that caused all of this when the toxins are too much for the body to get rid of. Funny illness this. Hope someone can give you an answer.
So are u saying u do have heart problems from this diesease? Reason being, i get chest pains and chalk it up to the acid reflux. Although i take medicine for reflex. Sometimes i think its my heart. How scary. Im 62 so at that age.
Have you done an ekg at your annual physical?
Have your primary doctor look into it to decide if you should see a gastroenterologist or a cardiologist. Don't dismiss it.
Take Care.
nycgirl2012. I did see Cardiologist and he said my heart rhythm very irregular at times, and suggested I go visit Rheumatologist to determine how many more Autoimmune diseases I do have as he was of opinion that the thyroid was attacking the heart. Doctors also not very clued up with this PBC disease. I am tired of going to doctors and you never really get the right answer as they admit PBC is rare disease
Rockie. My response was for KevinHall10_ as she dismissed chest pains as acid reflux.
I do know you saw the cardiologist from your earlier posts.
Sorry that you are having these issues & not getting answers.
Hang it there & take care of yourself.
After extensive, testing my cardiologist gave up on helping me with heart palpitations. I even wore the holter and had to check in by phone every few hours. It was so bad I couldn't sleep nights. I don't even have a thyroid as my autoimmune took it more than forty years ago. So, I researched and discovered that certain Magnesium supplements stopped all symptoms. I didn't realize so many people suffer from palpitations, even as young as 19 yrs. old.
I also have GERD and even though I take Prilosec, I sometimes have chest pains. So far, one little Gas-X green pill stops it immediately. If the pain is unbearable I will drink some Gaviscon for relief. Usually the culprit is milk, but I won't give it up.
Mitral Valve Prolapse can also cause palpitations. I have it but hardly have palpitations. Usually if too much caffeine or chocolate. It’s usually not serious. If you’re not familiar with it, it is when the mitral valve doesn’t close completely, so drs can usually hear a little “click” as my dr called it. That’s when I was 26. And it isn’t something they hear all the time.
If that's the same as leaky heart valves, I was diagnosed with that in 2011. Dr. said I was born with it.
Yes I believe it is the same. Very common.
KevinHall10 The Cardiologist suggested I go and see a Rheumatologist so that he can determine how many other Autoimmune diseases I still have . The heart rhythm is irregular but it is caused by the thyroid (according to him). I am 77 next month.
Now that I think on this. A friend of mine was experiencing palpitations as well & I suggested my cardiologist to her. The cardiologist said it was not a heart issue as well. It was the thyroid & sent my friend to the endocrinologist. Believe she had an overactive thyroid causing the palpitations. Once they put her on meds to offset thyroid hormones, she was fine. Friend does not have pbc so this condition is just one of many autoimmune issues common amongst women.
If you are seeing an endocrinologist for your thyroid, you might want to see what his/her views are on the heart palpitations.
Here is an article about this topic from Harvard University:
Thanks. No I am not seeing an Endocrinologist. Will see in 2018. Also I think one must just accept the condition and relax and drink lots of water . I do not get chest pains, just have palpitations and then normally need oxygen as well.
I think they can give you thyroid hormones to fix it. It's going to be fine. Keep us posted.
I have always wondered if our misguided autoimmune system attacks so many of the different parts of our body, what's to keep it from attacking our heart? I was shocked when I first heard of the autoimmune lung disease.
Our liver is already compromised and we inadvertently consume many toxins that are too much for us to handle. We need to be more vigilant in choosing what we consume. Avoid foods known to be herbicide and pesticide laden like soy, carrageenan, cottonseed oil, GMOs, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, etc. Try to eat things that will help the liver like greens, berries, beets, yogurt, aloe vera juice, etc. Do your research. I can't understand why the FDA doesn't do more to protect us from so many of the things that have been proven to be toxic and cancer causing agents. Avoiding things you know are toxic to your liver and eating foods that fight toxicity is something you can do to help yourself.
Tanjan. I eat as healthy as I possibly can. No gluten, no fats and still suffer with toxins from the liver
Rockie, it is hard to eat healthy because our food supply is so depleted of the nutrients we used to take for granted. I've been reading about how carrot juice is good to detox the liver. I was a failure at making it, but today I'm trying the organic carrot juice my husband found at WalMart. I have to continue drinking the Organic Wheat Grass Juice powder to keep my varicose veins from attacking me, so I added that and some organic baby spinach to the blender. It was gross, so I put in some vanilla Whey protein powder which made it worse so I added some frozen apple and banana pieces. That didn't help much so I topped it off with some frozen blueberries. It's okay and I will make myself drink that today... too much good stuff to throw it out. Next time, I'll try to drink a glass of the carrot juice by itself. I'm aiming for three glasses of carrot juice a week. A word of caution. I have read time and again that too much vitamin A can literally destroy your liver. Best Wishes.
Acknowledging is first, then don’t talk about it much. Do. Daily yoga, deep breathing, drink water, eat broccoli, coffee, bluberris, vegetables, oatmeal, eat fruit, cut meat, cut all processed foods. Jump on a trampoline. Take laughter yoga. Watch comedy movies. Tell anyone who has the nerve to criticize you to kiss your ...
Hi
Thanks everyone for all your replies, I saw doctor today and have been prescribed citalopram 10mg and she will do bloods in 2 weeks and if Needed will speak with liver doctor for input how to manage anxiety,
I just need to feel a little better so I can deal with the stress I have,
I’ve had to go sick again 4th time this year so I’m even more anxious about that too.
Also has anyone ever had enlarged lymph nodes on ct scan?
It says aortocaval and liver hilum area,
Consultant said he wants to repeat in 3months to make sure they haven’t got bigger,
I know I’m asking lots of questions I’m just so new to this and trying to find out as much as I can,
Thanks loads
Roz x
I take zanax
I am most anxious while waiting for results of blood tests ( which I am doing right now and stress eating!) the rest of the time I try to do what I can for myself meaning staying positive eating right and exercising. It’s nice that we are all in this together. Good luck
If you ever think that it may actually be a heart attack, take an aspirin and call an ambulance. The EMTs said that is what saved my son's life when he suffered a massive heart attack.
Just have to be cautious that you are not allergic to aspirin.
Yes, I'm allergic to aspirin.
PBC 
