Ursodiol is working :)

[ginabean]

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with PBC back in May after years of trying to figure out what was wrong. I started on Ursodiol right away and yesterday, I got my bloodwork results back after 3 months of being on it. My liver numbers went from off the charts to practically normal again. The Ursodiol is working, which is a relief. Now if we can get my fatigue under control we’ll be all set. Just wanted to share a positive update and hope it helps others who may have just been diagnosed.

[pbclimbu]

That’s great news and congratulations. It also took almost a year and half for multiple physicians and even specialists to determine I had PBC. During that one and half year I tried everything like stopped drinking even the occasional beer I used to have, exercised more than I used to, ate well and lost 10 kg but nothing helped. Only after a liver biopsy it was determined I had PBC and was put on Urso. With few months everything dropped back to normal and has stayed same way even after I went back to my jolly old way of overeating, not exercising.

Fatigue is constant though. I quit my office job and joined a company that allowed me remote work which literally saved my life. This is a company that allowed employees full time remote work back in 2016 and I’m still with them. I have fallen into this habit of taking a 30 min nap during my lunch break which helps with fatigue and also my specialist recommended lots of coffee. It helps to some extend but it is still pretty hard. If anything positive I want to give is that I have become extremely efficient at using my time when I don’t feel fatigued. You have to get your best work done as quickly as possible before fatigue hits you. Early mornings 6am to 2pm is where I try to get my heavy work done (software engineer so I can start my work at any time n my employer allows flexibility in how I set my hrs. All they care is output). I wish I could do more but I have stopped beating myself about it and just try to get done as much as I can when I feel great. Good luck with your health and hope some of what said was helpful.

[ginabean in reply to pbclimbu]

Yes! Mornings are my most productive time too. As the day goes on, I get more tired. I own my own business and make my hours which is very helpful because I think I would struggle in a 9-5 office setting. The last few weeks I’ve had trouble sleeping at night due to some stress and it’s really thrown off my whole day because I end up sleeping in and miss some of that important productive time. Thank you for the response, wishing you lots of health and happiness

[Chipdog]

Look into the spoon theory. It is a good explanation of the fatigue and a way to explain it to others.