Question 1

what is life expectance after diagnosis of pbc?

Accepted Answer

Define please: I don't know what you mean by "pbc."  please be more specific, without abbreviations. Thank you.

Question 2

does pbc shorten lifespan?

Accepted Answer

If you mean: Primary biliary cirrhosis, probably yes; but no one knows by how long.  I think it would depend on severity and response to treatment.  You will need to see a GI specialist for specific answer in your case.

Question 3

my navel suddenly became painful and warrm to touch and has a large red ring around it. i have pbc so worried it could be related. what could it be?

Accepted Answer

?infection: It could be a yeast infection. Gently clean it with a q-tip and dilute peroxide and you may want to use lotrimin (clotrimazole) cream.

Question 4

could the immunomodulatory effects of ucda potentially mask a problem with the immunoglobulins? eg in aih or pbc? when the globs are used to aid in dx

Accepted Answer

No: immumoglobulin problems are rare apart from obvious serious congenital insufficiency which I will assume you do not have, and monoclonal gammopathy high will not be masked by the minor effects of these meds

Question 5

what exactly is primary biliary cirrhosis?

Accepted Answer

Liver disease: Primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune liver disease seen most commonly in women in the 4th to 5th decade of life.  It generally presents with unexplained itching and occasionally jaundice.  It is frequently found on routing screening liver tests which may show an elevated alkaline phosphotase.  Though not curable it is treatable and treatment slows the progression to cirrhosis.

Question 6

i have been diagnosed with 3rd stage pbc and am going in for a liver ultrasound this morning.  what will this show?

Accepted Answer

Fibrosis: An ultrasound examination is one way of testing for fibrosis/scarring in the liver.

Question 7

antimitochondrial  m2 antibodies w/ 4previous elevated alp's. most recent alp normal. still suggestive for pbc?

Accepted Answer

No: The diagnosis of PBC is made through liver biopsy. The other best tool is the biliruben. Taken together they give a diagnosis and prognosis for survival. As you know PBC is though to be an auto immune disease.

Question 8

my mother was diagnosed with pbc during a blood test that showed abnormalities. what is the life expectancy, i read it was only 10 to 15 years. ?

Accepted Answer

Follow-up: I take it that this is primary biliary cirrhosis. There's more to the diagnosis than bloodwork though this is key. The prognosis is variable. There are transplant opportunities if it does get bad, and the way things are going with today's biotech, don't be surprised if some hugely effective treatment comes along soon. Glad you're there for your mom.

Question 9

transaminases have gone down since startingursodeoxycholic acid(treatment trial)what could this mean?pbc? normal mrcp,us,bloods normal alt^^ast^chroni

Accepted Answer

Expected: Ursodiol is supposed to lower your transaminases, if you have a reason for them to be elevated that was not addressed, you may have more liver pathology to deal with and more testing, possibly for pathology

Question 10

prescribed zanaflex (tizanidine) for spasm. haven't slept well all week. doc said would knock me out. wide awake. i have pbc of liver. i thought soma pref?

Accepted Answer

Soma (carisoprodol) not preferred: Soma is not a good medication, there are terrible problems with addiction to that drug. Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine hcl) is another alternative for spasm. Also make sure you are well hydrated and add a multivitamin/multimineral supplement daily.  Stretching, warm soaks and daily exercise can also help prevent spasms.

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Doctor answers about:

How long can I live with PBC

A member asked:

What is life expectance after diagnosis of pbc?

A member asked:

Does pbc shorten lifespan?

A member asked:

My navel suddenly became painful and warrm to touch and has a large red ring around it. i have pbc so worried it could be related. what could it be?

A member asked:

Could the immunomodulatory effects of ucda potentially mask a problem with the immunoglobulins? eg in aih or pbc? when the globs are used to aid in dx

A member asked:

What exactly is primary biliary cirrhosis?

A member asked:

I have been diagnosed with 3rd stage pbc and am going in for a liver ultrasound this morning. what will this show?

A member asked:

Antimitochondrial m2 antibodies w/ 4previous elevated alp's. most recent alp normal. still suggestive for pbc?

A member asked:

My mother was diagnosed with pbc during a blood test that showed abnormalities. what is the life expectancy, i read it was only 10 to 15 years. ?

A member asked:

Transaminases have gone down since startingursodeoxycholic acid(treatment trial)what could this mean?pbc? normal mrcp,us,bloods normal alt^^ast^chroni

A member asked:

Prescribed zanaflex (tizanidine) for spasm. haven't slept well all week. doc said would knock me out. wide awake. i have pbc of liver. i thought soma pref?

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