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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough the prognosis for people with primary biliary cirrhosis is far better than it was in the past, it can still be difficult and frustrating to live with a chronic liver disease. When symptoms of the disease develop, such as fatigue and itching, they can seriously affect your quality of life.
Following are some strategies that may make dealing with primary biliary cirrhosis easier:
- Educate yourself. Find out everything you want to know about primary biliary cirrhosis. The more you understand about what's going on in your body, the more active you can be in your own care. In addition to talking with your doctor, look for information at your local library and on Web sites affiliated with reputable organizations, such as the American Liver Foundation.
- Take time for yourself. Eating well, exercising and getting enough rest can help you feel better. Try to plan ahead for times when you may need more rest.
- Get help. If you have friends or family who want to help, take them up on their offer and let them know what would be most useful to you. Primary biliary cirrhosis can be exhausting, so if someone wants to do your grocery shopping, wash a load of laundry or cook your dinner, accept the help.
- Seek support. Strong relationships can play an important role in helping you maintain a positive attitude. If friends or family have a hard time understanding your illness, you may find that a support group can be helpful. Ask your doctor if there are any local support groups for people with primary biliary cirrhosis, or call the American Liver Foundation at 800-GO-LIVER (800-465-4837).
References
- Primary biliary cirrhosis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/primarybiliarycirrhosis/index.htm. Accessed Aug. 14, 2009.
- Primary biliary cirrhosis. American Liver Foundation. http://www.liverfoundation.org/education/info/pbc/. Accessed Aug. 14, 2009.
- Cirrhosis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec03/ch026/ch026c.html. Accessed Aug. 14, 2009.
- Friedman LS. Liver, biliary tract and pancreas disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment. 48th ed. Los Altos, Calif.: Lange Medical Publications; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=7993. Accessed Aug. 14, 2009.
- Kaplan M, et al. Primary biliary cirrhosis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2005;353:1261.
- Kaplan MM. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and natural history of primary biliary cirrhosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 30, 2009.
- Kaplan MM. Overview of the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 30, 2009.
- Hirschfeld GM, et al. Primary biliary cirrhosis associated with HLA, IL12A, and IL12RB2 variants. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;360:2544.
- Taouli B, et al. Advanced MRI methods for assessment of chronic liver disease. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2009;193:14.
- Lazaridis K, et al. Increased prevalence of antimitochondrial antibodies in first-degree relatives of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Hepatology. 2007;46:785.
- Lindor K. Ursodeoxycholic acid for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;357:1254.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Aug. 31, 2009.
- Hay JE. Bone disease in cholestatic liver disease. Gastroenterology. 1995;108:278.
