Question 1

is primary sclerosing cholangitis rare?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The goal of managing acute attacks is antibiotics and IV fluids.  In about 15%, emergency decompression or surgery  is needed.  Prevention of future attacks of cholangitis is based on removing biliary stones and debris, dilation or resection of strictures, and establishing optimal biliary drainage.  Also important to rule out the clonorchis parasite.  Your GI doctor can discuss newest treatments.

Question 2

how can i treat primary sclerosing cholangitis?

Accepted Answer

Difficult problem: Psc: autoimmune swelling/scarring of bile ducts within and outside the liver; often associated with infl. Bowel (usually ulc colitis). Increased risk for biliary ca. Med rx for itch, biochem abnormalities, e.g. Urso (bear bile), antihistamines, antibiotics for infections, vitamin supllements for deficiencies. Ercp procedure may open some strictures (narrowing). Ultimately, may need liver transpla.

Question 3

primary sclerosing cholangitis - what is the inherited risk?

Accepted Answer

Very low: PSC is most commonly seen in patients with ulcerative colitis. Patients with PSC have 60-72% association with ulcerative colitis; low genetic and immunologic factors are attributed to PSC.

Question 4

does primary sclerosing cholangitis usually cause many symptoms?

Accepted Answer

It can.: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (= psc, inflammation of bile ducts) can give symptoms such as itching, pain in the right upper abdomen, fevers, chills, night sweats, and jaundice (yellow skin, yellow whites of the eyes).  Most people with this illness have ulcerative colitis, which has symptoms of its own (eg. Bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain).  Many with psc eventually need liver transplant.

Question 5

any information and/or prognosis for primary sclerosing cholangitis , from which i am currently dying?

Accepted Answer

Liver transplant: Place yourself under the care of a Hepatologist and get on a transplant list ASAP. University hospitals are your best bet

Question 6

will primary sclerosing cholangitis kill me?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is a disease that slowly progresses and eventually without treatment leads to hepatic failure which has a very high mortality rate.

Question 7

do people with primary sclerosing cholangitis have a lot of pain?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Primary sclerosing cholangitis ( psc) causes destruction of the bile ducts inside and outside of the liver. The first symptoms of the disease include fatigue, itching and jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes. Psc however, is associated with a number of hepatobilliary disorders like pancreatitis, which may cause pain.

Question 8

i'm a 25 year old male recently diagnosed with stage 2 primary sclerosing cholangitis. is this a common age range for this issue?

Accepted Answer

Sorry to hear: Primary sclerosing cholangitis tends to occur more frequently in males than women and onset may be between 20-30yrs old.  Sometimes it is isolated, other times it may be associated with other diseases such as ulcerative colitis.  Hopefully, you are seeing a hepatologist at a local university hospital, who can discuss possible treatments w/ you.  Stay positive and god carry and bless you!

Question 9

primary sclerosing cholangitis---what treatments are best?

Accepted Answer

Depends: On stage.  Usually it has poor response to chronic meds, and antibiotics are used for superimposed infections in times of flare ups.

Question 10

do doctors see a lot of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis?

Accepted Answer

No: Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a rare disease affecting 6 out of 100, 000 people in the USA. It is more common in men then in women, and the mean age at diagnosis of is around 40 years of age.

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Doctor answers about:

Primary sclerosing cholangitis signs

A member asked:

Is primary sclerosing cholangitis rare?

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How can i treat primary sclerosing cholangitis?

A member asked:

Primary sclerosing cholangitis - what is the inherited risk?

A member asked:

Does primary sclerosing cholangitis usually cause many symptoms?

A member asked:

Any information and/or prognosis for primary sclerosing cholangitis , from which i am currently dying?

A member asked:

Will primary sclerosing cholangitis kill me?

A member asked:

Do people with primary sclerosing cholangitis have a lot of pain?

A member asked:

I'm a 25 year old male recently diagnosed with stage 2 primary sclerosing cholangitis. is this a common age range for this issue?

A member asked:

Primary sclerosing cholangitis---what treatments are best?

A member asked:

Do doctors see a lot of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis?

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