curious

[janine1086]

i was diagnosed with PBC in September 2010 at the age of 24 is there anyone else who is young like me with this as in doing research it says that 30+ is the "typical" age women are most likely to get it??

[SC49]

How were you diagnosed Janine?

I was diagnosed in September 2012, a few weeks short of my 50th birthday. When I googled PBC, it said that PBC is more commonly diagnosed in middle aged women. I was gutted. After being diagnosed with a chronic liver disease, I also had to put up with the realisation that I had also been officially diagnosed as middle aged

[Junolee in reply to SC49]

Know that feeling. I'm 44

[janine1086 in reply to SC49]

i was diagnosed after having cholistasis in my 1st pregnancy yet my g.p doesnt think this caused the PBC then during my second pregnancy i got cholistasis again and had a really bad pregnancy as i was having to go hospital 3 days a week and was admitted for a few days at least 1 every 2 months because of my bile acid levels yet my gastro consultant i see just said congratulations when i told him i was pregnant for 2nd time and wasnt very helpful when i was diagnosed with PBC ive had to do all the research myself.

[merrill16]

Hi Janine, I was diagnosed in September 2011. But reading up on PBC, I had issues in my 20's, middle of month pains, also along the right side each month,got worse, after a night out atfer drinking(could never match my friiends drinking, or recover that quick),few hours after going to gym,or just because nothing,etc.I'm 42 now, and I strongly beleive that I had the condition in 20s,. Crapper news I know, but hopefully you will receive all the help you need. :),x

[Junolee]

Janine, I am just diagnosed. Never had any symptoms (that I was aware of at least). I am 44. Curiously had tests done aged 10 (they thought I had appendicitis initially) and the only thing to come from it was that I was referred to a liver specialist. Nothing further came from that. They say not connected. Odd though...only thing ever to show up in 34 years interval was a liver issue.

[janine1086 in reply to Junolee]

i didnt show any signs either. i had cholistasis in my 1st pregnancy then after tests it lead to PBC but the PBC was not caused because of the cholistasis, at the moment im only suffering with tiredness and itchy eyes but because of other health issues i have which my son now has im up the hospital 4 times a year with him and myself for check ups

[exy21]

I was diagnosed when I was 35 with pbc and aih but have been ill since 22. Looking back there were tests that could have been done sooner to prevent the cirrhosis I have now. Only when I had lost several stone and was struggling to get out of bed was I tested and referred to a liver specialist. Also now have sjogrens and crest syndrome. Awaiting results of more tests for crohns and osteoporosis. Diagnosed sooner than later means they can keep an eye on you and give you what's needed to slow/ managed pbc

Good luck

[janine1086]

im on the ursodeoxycholic acid but that doesnt seem to be making a difference i was told to try something else i think it was questran or something like that but that just made me sick

[Hidden]

Hello janine1086.

Well with regards to the middle-aged part, until I had my first hospital appt I didn't feel I was! I was 46 back in 2010 (diagnosed Dec 2010) and I still remember the appt well.

The doctor was asking questions and first of all he asked me about working. I told him that due to a new job I had started the previous yr and it was a big mistake so my husband and I decided I should quit (which I did Aug 2010) he just looked at me and said, "So you are retired." that put me right off him and then to add insult to it he started going on about the female cycle and presumed I had stopped having periods to which I really did take offence as I was not at that stage (and still not yet).

I came out of the room feeling so deflated and also felt I had suddenly really aged. It is now true that since I was diagnosed with PBC I have started to feel much much older even tho' I am still very active.

[EAJSWW]

Hi I was diagnosed in my early 30's but know without doubt I had PBC for many years before due to the symptoms I have had. (i know this is the case with many others too)

There are a number of people who are in their 20's and maybe more people being diagnosed as doctors now are more aware fo what certain tests mean.