The story of Christy
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1996 when I was 35 years old. After my initial attack, I had no no symptoms for 15 years. In 2021 I started on a DMD for my MS, and in 2023 my neurologist decided we should be more aggressive and to change my DMD. He ordered bloodwork, which revealed elevated liver enzymes. Further tests showed that I had Hepatitis B. I was shocked since I do not have any high risk behaviors that would have exposed me to Hepatitis B. After 9 months and dozens of blood tests, abdominal ultrasound, liver MRI, evaluation by the Hepatologists at the Mayo Clinic, and a liver biopsy (all the while my liver enzymes continued to climb), I was finally diagnosed with PBC. I already have cirrhosis, but my Hepatologist assures me that my liver is still doing its job and I should not need a liver transplant for at least 10-12 years. He also assured me that I never had Hep B – it was a false positive! I started on Urso immediately and after 6 months my liver enzymes are almost normal. I am lucky in that I do not have the severe itching that others talk about. I feel good (related to my PBC) and only the MS causes me any difficulty. I do get tired, but whether it’s related to MS, my age (now 53), or PBC is anyone’s guess. I try not to focus too much on it, but when I think about the future and what that looks like for me, I get pretty down. Will I be around to see my future grandchildren? Enjoy retirement without being disabled? I try to live each day to its fullest while I am well enough to do so, because the future is not promised for anyone, let alone someone with PBC.