Just diagnosed, few symptoms as yet. Does ... - PBC Foundation
Just diagnosed, few symptoms as yet. Does everyone give up all alcohol as it is too toxic to the liver? Thanks
Hello dinnyd.
I was diagnosed Dec 2010 after starting with itching earlier that yr. (Tiredenss and fatigue are a sympton of PBC but I never thought anything about feeling like this, suppose majority of us don't but itching was different.)
The itching is really the only sympton I have as I can't really say these days I feel that 'whacked out' anymore.
I was only a social drinker prior to 2010 and never night clubbed or frequented pubs on a regular basis through my adult life.
When I got the first abnormal LFT blood test I decided I wouldn't have even the one drink of alcohol and have not had any now in 2yrs.
My stance is it prob would be ok the odd one but in my mind it is just taxing the liver that bit more and I would rather not do it. I rarely took painkillers prior to 2010 and have not had any at all since the first abnormal LFT either.
I went tee-total on diagnosis. I was never a big drinker anyway, glass of wine when went out to dinner that sort of thing. My bloods are now good so I allow myself the odd glass, birthdays/ xmas that sort of thing, but I never have more than one at a time and my liver seems to cope ok with that. Consultant said your liver will let you know if it really doesnt like it!
If you are just diagnosed my advice would be give alcohol a miss and give your liver the best chance of getting better, but if your LFTs return to normal you can probable tolerate a small amount ocassionally but discuss with your consultant first.
I was diagnosed last year and 'have been dry'' ever since. My view is that if you had a sprained ankle you would not walk on it so why would you put your liver under any more stres. Alcohol is a toxin. Maybe easy for me to abstain as I was never a big drinker anyway. I know some people drink with no problems whilst others just can't tolerate it. Welcome to the joy of PBC. We are all so different. Only definate similarity is Fatigue! X
i still drink few glasses of wine a week, never touch spirits because i appreciate the damage alcohol does, but temper it with relaxation value and my consultant agrees. I am also aware that my alcohol tolerance has changed over my 14 yr since diagnosis, so i drink low alcohol wine
take care
Thanks everyone. I figured it would be best to abstain. I really only drink wine and only occasionally, but I can do without. I'm also not taking tylenol. Anything else I should avoid?
Hello again dinnhyd.
Had to look up tylenol and realised you are in US. Here we tend to call painkillers paracetamol but gather you knew what I meant.
I've never been a smoker but that is something else that is apparently advised to quit on PBC diagnosis.
Tho' I can't say for everyone, would also be good to focus on things that are good for us too.
I have read that liquorice is an anti-flammatory and can be liver protecting but it can raise blood pressure so not exactly ideal for someone suffering hypertension. I've always loved liquorice so still eat it and I believe there is also iron in it.
I've never been an avid coffee drinker (my husband likes coffee and bought a moka pot last yr) but I have since being diagnosed with PBC that coffee in a limit of around 2 cups per day can actual stimulate the liver and give it a boost.
Fresh squeezed lemon juice and hot water is supposed to be good for cleansing the system
I've not been advised to cease any foods since being diagnosed with PBC. Was originally asked about alcohol consumption but it wasn't pressed on me further when I said I had no reason myself to suspect the abnormal LFTs before diagnose were due to drinking and that I had ceased on the first one. I think some things are common sense and tho' I watched my fat intake before diagnose I now watch it that bit more knowing bile acts like a detergent with fats.
Hi I don't drink alcohol very often maybe one at Christmas, don't drink coffee and have the occasional cup of black tea with lemon in but I can not even bother with tea for over a month or so, I do drink a lot of lucozade and some water now and again and like orange juice but the orange gives me acid indigestion, gee what an exciting life we lead :o)
Hi my main sysptom is also the tiredness,was told by my gp it was not drink related,possibility ad a viral infection that had caused it.I dont drink a lot so do still enjoy a social drink on a Saturday night . Take care.xx
hello, i gave up alcohol for 6 months after being diagnosed so my condition could stabilize. now i drink as and when i want (prob twice a month) and i will have a few glasses of wine, no spirits. this doesn't seem to effect me at all.
Hello
I was diagnosed with PBC 10 years ago at 30, I had no symptoms other than the itching and Raynauds Phenomenon which prompted my doctor to do more tests. My bloods were stable for years and then last year started to rise which promted me to not drink at all, I used to have 2-3 units a week if that. The only medication I take is my Ursofalk, which has improved my LFT tests.
I’m currently seeing a nutritionist to see if I can improve my LFT with the food I eat. Doctor has given me six weeks (from yesterday) on the new diet and then I have to go back for more bloods to see if the diet works...... xx
I never was much of a drinker, so it wasn't hard to give it up totally.
My first symptom was alcohol in that I would just have a few mouthfuls of wine and would immediately "feel" it. Like that relaxing feeling you get usually with a few glasses of wine. I thought it strange but didn't feel I could go to the doctors and say when I drink a little I feel drunk as I thought he would say "Well don't drink!). Anyway after suffering from dry eyes I went along to my doctors and he did the relevant blood test which came back as PBC. To cut the story short, I don't drink as feel my liver is telling me not to. Christmas being the exception when I might have small glass of champagne and maybe at a barbie a little sangria. Life is too short not to spoil yourself now and again! I have megger stress in my family so I am sure I am not doing my liver any favours with that but there is nothing I can do about it. Keep your chin up fellow sufferer!
