I am a 50-year-old female. In late 2010, I had a gallstone attack, but it was small and passed. By 2012, my gallbladder was filled with stones, and in April of that year I had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Unfortunately, the surgeon was not on his best and missed a stone. Two weeks later I was insanely itchy, jaundiced, and exhausted. I was referred to a gastroenterologist, who removed the stone by scope, and everyone said the jaundice and itch would recede within a few days. But they only got worse. The gastroenterologist stated that he did a thorough check when he did the scope, and found no lesions, polyps, cancer, etc. My blood work was all over the place. I was treated with hydroxyzine, ursodiol, and Rofact, but the itch, jaundice, and exhaustion did not go away until the end of June. They also did a liver biopsy, and in late August I was diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis. Looking back, I realize now the gallstones were a symptom. As was the hypothyroidism I have had since puberty, along with the darkened skin patches along my jawline. I am currently taking ursodiol, seeing a naturopath, and following a strict vitamin regime. I'm waiting to see the local liver clinic in a few months.

I am a 73-year-old woman diagnosed with cirrhosis about 10 years ago. Since about age 12, I've had various illnesses that I believe have damaged my liver. I was diagnosed during a regular blood test, which showed elevated cholesterol and liver function. This was followed by a biopsy which confirmed PBC. I have been on Ursofalk for about four years, following an infection and rapid rise in liver readings. Although I realize that no evidence of the disease has been found in children, I was wondering if this is simply because they are not generally subjected to regular blood tests as are those who are aging. From my experience, there were signs in my childhood and young adulthood indicative of liver disease.

I was diagnosed with PBC in 1992 and suffered all the symptoms. Urso-25- was the best medication for me. I had a liver transplant in 2000 and it lasted 11 years. I had another transplant in 2011. During 2009 and 2010 I had all the PBC symptoms again. Receiving a liver transplant is a gift of God. Don't give up.

I am a female of 34 years. I was diagnosed with liver problems after my second child was born. He is now 8. I was diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis when my portal vein burst a few years ago. I always have itching of the skin. My legs and back have many spider veins popping up and my skin color is darkening as the days go by.

My daughter is just 13 years old. Her PBC was diagnosed when she went to a new pediatrician because she was having chest pains and her abdomen was swollen. She had itchy skin, waxing and waning jaundice, bone pain an extremely enlarged spleen and liver and what looked like a rash. After extensive testing and finally a liver biopsy, the diagnosis was confirmed. This is extremely rare in children and she now requires a full liver transplant.

At 51, I was given a clinical diagnosis of PBC. A routine blood test showed elevated liver counts. Further blood tests showed elevated liver functions. The liver biopsy showed some abnormalities, but inconclusive to give a positive PBC diagnosis. It has been 5 years. I still feel healthy. I exercise regularly, and live a full life. It is hard to take the whole thing seriously under the circumstances.

I was diagnosed with PBC in February of 2009. It has taken me quite a while to get my head around and to accept that I have this horrible condition. I am 64 years old - still active and working part-time - and being a farmer's wife having to cook and look after two grown men. I have very good days and some not so good. I find myself not feeling too good for the first hour or so in the mornings. I get bouts of fatigue and just a little bit of itching from time to time. I take three Ursos a day {250} and I am sure they help. A little bit of depression sets in some days when I'm feeling negative. The magazines from the PBC Society always put me in a positive mood - God bless the editor and staff.