Has anyone tried Milk Thistle (Sylmarin) for PBC? Has any doctor recommended this?

[dinnyd]

[toohey]

yes , I take a complimentary medication called Liva Tone Classic ... from Cabot Health. Dr Sandra Cabot is an Australian GP who specialisies in Liver Conditions has written many best selling books on Restoring Health to the Liver. Excellent web page. I refuse to take Urso because of the cost, how it is produced by milking living bears who are kept in tiny cages their whole lifes.

I was diagnosed after my LFT's rapidly rose while on chemo for another rare Auto Immune condition. Confirmed by Liver Biopsy. I took Livertone for 3 months and my LFT's and a few minor diet changes, like stopping milk saw my LFT's back to near normal where they have stayed for 2 1/2 yrs.

[exy21]

My specialist doesn't say yes or no to me taking it but I feel much better taking it. When I run out I can feel the difference.

[Hidden]

All I get told is that I am not to buy anything over the counter without them knowing, Oh and I have just stopped taking my urso as it was making me feel worse so I suppose I will get told off for that as well.

[Val02]

I havent tried it but my consultant told me not to take anything over the counter as some of them play havoc with your bloods. (ie makes his job difficult). I would suggest run it pass your doctor first.

[Val02]

I feel I must reiterate what someone else said before when it was mentioned that the URSO we take comes from bears. IT DOES NOT it is commercially produced in the UK without the involvement of bears. However I believe that for Chinese Medicine it is produced in this inhumane manner. I dont know the source of it in Australia but certainly UK patients need not be concerned about taking it on ethical grounds.

[catherine69 in reply to Val02]

Val02, you are 100% correct regarding URSO and how it is produced

[Shirleygreen in reply to Val02]

Oh thank the Lord for that, i had no idea that it could have come from live bears and was really feeling awful about taking the Urso if that was the case. On reflection I dont think that would have been done in the UK. The Chinese seem to be responsible for all these vile things that happen to animals so that they can get their ridiculous medicines! Sorry it really bugs me.

[boggyeyes]

my liver consultant said try milk thistle it may help with fatigueand if it didnt help i wouldonly be out of pocketafew pounds! I didnt find it helped but worth a try

[Tumbleweed41]

I have been taking Milk Thistle for nearly 3 years and have proven - to myself and my doctors - that for me, it works in keeping my numbers down. I take 2000 (2 thousand) mg twice a day. The Drs have not told me to not take it. Most (not all) Drs. that tell you not to take it are against anything herbal.

[melisab]

Milk Thistle is actually the one thing that my liver specialist told me to take. I have noticed that when I am good about taking it I do not have any pain in the liver area. I take Liver Dr from Native remedies. It has two other ingredients that are good for the liver like dandelion.

[dinnyd]

Once again, I thank you all for some very informative comments.

[TracyLou]

I was taking Milk Thistle until my consultant warned me it doesn't help, and there should be tests run on it regarding the PBC. He is very anti-herbal medicine and pointed out what St. John's Wort did.

[Hidden]

I am a month into my dx and I feel good. My gp said "you are healthy, but your blood work isn't". LOL I am taking milk thistle, urso and a multi-vitamin as prescribed by my specialist. I am also on a low fat diet. I also practice meditation and have been doing a healing one every day. This works for me.

[dinnyd]

This is all very helpful to me. I did take Milk Thistle while I was ndergoing chemo for Breast Cancer and I feel it helped to protect my liver. I am definitely going to read more about Dr. Cabot. Thank you all.