IS MY DR CORRECT FOR PBC

[BECCAFROMWISCONSIN]

My gastro dr told me that I have 4th stage pbc that was 2years ago but I have no symptons biop of liver was done and now I'm on 500mg 3x a day of urso because I gained weight was started on 300mg 4x a day,I'm confused because he makes it like no big deal, should I see another dr.

[Tumbleweed41]

I would absolutely see another specialist!! 4th stage PBC is the "final stage" and would put you on the transplant list. Don't want to frighten you but that's what it is and 4th stage is a VERY big deal. Research "Primary Biliary Cirrohsis" (never could spell that) so that you will know what the Drs. are talking about.

In fact, you might want to check with MAYO in Rochester, Minnesota.

Just my tho'ts. PLEASE, stay in touch. -

[Val02]

Hi I agree with Tumbleweed 4th stage is the final stage and the stage you are considered for transplant. If your DR wont take PBC seriously I suggest you find a DR who will. But please dont do nothing....

[Judy48]

I do not have any symptons either and in early 2004 I was diagnoised with Hep C and did the treatment for that for a year in November this year I went for my physical and the liver enzymes were elevated but I felt fine. I did the biopsy and was diagnoised with PBC and started Urso if you are in deed stage 4 and your doctor acts like it's no big deal he probablly is not the doctor you need get a second opinion it can't hurt bring your lab work ups and biopsy results with you and resarch well so you can go in prepared with your questions you are your best advocate.. Good Luck

[donnathompson]

Dont know to much about it as im still trying to take it all in,but think you should ask for some more advice. Take care speak to you soon.xx

[kosy2]

HI Becca,

When you say you have NO symptoms, are you saying you have

No itch

No fatigue

No elevated LFT's

No brain fog

No joint pain

to name just a few?

That's wonderful if you don't and I would think why your current doctor acts like it's no big deal. On the other hand even with symptoms my gastro and liver docs act like PBC is no big deal.

After much research I have found that there is NO cure for PBC and all that can be done is to TRY to treat the symptoms. In my humble opinon, if you truly do not have any symptoms, than why see another doctor? There is a massave amount of information on this site from the people who suffer with this disease that will get you through until you have symptoms that would need intervention.

If you have not already done so I would suggest that you read ALL the prior post.

All the best to you.

[zipitydoo]

I think you should see another specialist. There might be no cure but at end stage you would go on the transplant list. You would still have the PBC but it would have a new liver to work on and hopefully the URSO would slow it down.

As for symptoms I have heard from many people that the symptoms seem to be much worse in stages 1 and 2 than they are in the latter stages.

Good luck and let us know how you get on please.

[BECCAFROMWISCONSIN]

thanks for all your answers, the only numbers that are high are ALK PHOSPHATASE mine is 205 and standard range is 38-126 but looking at all the paperwork my gasto has me down for RH,HEP B,PBC, but I don't have nor have I had any symptoms and my gastro dr only has me coming back everyyear that why i'm so confussed about stage 4,had a liver byopsi and they only took 1 sample and that was under my breast bonetop of stomach.so if some of you have some kind of direction for me would love to hear from you,

thanks Becca