Living with PSC: A Patient’s Journey With A Rare Liver Disease

living with psc a patient's journey with a rare liver disease

Muqhdad Hamid Hasan, a forty-one-year-old man suffering from a PSC liver disease, found a new lease on life at AILBS India under the exclusive care of Dr. Vivek Vij.

Let’s know more about Muqhdad Hamid Hasan’s experience with AILBS India and how Dr. Vivek Vij helped him recover from liver disease.

How Muqhdad Hamid Hasan Got a New Life?

Muqhdad Hamid Hasan, a 41-year-old man from Iraq, had PSC liver disease (Primary sclerosing cholangitis), in which his bile ducts become inflamed and scarred, eventually leading to cancer. Even a short walk made him uneasy and exhausted; he felt dizzy and heavy-headed and was unable to move much.

Muqhdad Hamid Hasan was diagnosed with PSC liver disease in Iraq, and his doctor advised him to get a liver transplant as soon as possible. Because Iraq lacked adequate medical facilities, he travelled to India for treatment.

After PSC liver disease test Dr. Vivek Vij said Muqhdad Hamid Hasan’s status was exceedingly delicate; he had been on continuous medication for months to stabilise his condition before transplantation. His complexion had turned yellow from jaundice, and water filled his stomach (ascites), leading to infection. His kidneys were also having issues while he was working.

Hamid required an extremely advanced and complicated procedure with high risk; the chances of a successful liver transplant were only about 60%.

Dr. Vivek Vij (Director of Liver Transplant and Gastrointestinal Surgery) and his expert team, the top liver transplant surgeon in Noida, successfully performed liver transplant surgeries to cure PSC liver disease.

Muqhdad Hamid Hasan thanked the team, particularly Dr. Vivek Vij, for carrying out the PSC liver disease treatment without causing him any major discomfort.

Jaid Hamid Husain, Muqhdad Hamid Hasan’s brother, is a brave man who travelled from Iraq to India to find the best medical facilities for his brother. Jaid Hamid Husain also donated a portion of his liver to Muqhdad Hamid Hasan for the liver transplant.

Muqhdad Hamid Hasan was finally discharged in a very healthy state and was able to walk alone after a successful 8-hour PSC liver disease treatment operation. His appetite resurged, he gained weight, and his face was clear, which was a success for Dr. Vivek Vij.

Here Is Everything You Need To Know About PSC Liver Disease

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a slow-progressing disease. It can eventually lead to liver failure, recurring infections, and bile duct or liver tumours. The primary sclerosing cholangitis treatment is a liver transplant.

What is PSC?

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare chronic liver disease affecting the biliary duct. Your bile ducts become scarred as a result of PSC. They gradually constrict until bile backs up into your liver and begins to harm it.

Bile is an essential digestive liquid required for fat breakdown. It is also required to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Bile is produced in your liver and passes through ducts to your gallbladder and small intestine. PSC causes bile duct damage both inside and outside of your liver.

Symptoms of PCS Liver Disease

psc liver disease and its symptoms

When a simple blood test or an X-ray for an unrelated ailment reveals liver abnormalities, primary sclerosing cholangitis is commonly detected. A PSC liver disease test is required to determine the stage of PSC liver disease.

Early warning signs and symptoms of primary sclerosing cholangitis frequently include:

  • Fatigue
  • Itching
  • Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • Pain in the abdomen

Many patients diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis continue to feel fine for several years before symptoms appear. However, there is no accurate technique to anticipate how quickly or slowly a person’s sickness will advance.
The following signs and symptoms may occur as the condition progresses:

  • Fever\sChills
  • Night sweats
  • Enlarged liver Enlarged spleen
  • Weight loss

Causes of PCS Liver Disease

What causes primary sclerosing cholangitis is unknown. In persons genetically susceptible to the condition, an immune system reaction to an infection or toxin may cause it to manifest. Many persons with primary sclerosing cholangitis also have inflammatory bowel disease, which leads to chronic liver disease.

However, primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease may not always coexist. Primary sclerosing cholangitis can exist for years before inflammatory bowel disease develops. If primary sclerosing cholangitis is found, it is critical to rule out inflammatory bowel disease since it increases the risk of colon cancer.

People treated for inflammatory bowel disease are more likely to have primary sclerosing cholangitis. People with primary sclerosing cholangitis rarely develop inflammatory bowel disease until they have a liver transplant.

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What Tests Are Done to Diagnose PCS Liver Disease?

The following PSC liver disease test and methods are used to diagnose primary sclerosing cholangitis:

Blood Test For Liver Function

A blood test to assess your liver function, including levels of liver enzymes, can provide your doctor with information regarding your diagnosis.

MRI For Bile Duct

An MRI of your bile ducts is recommended. Magnetic resonance imaging Cholangiopancreatography is the gold standard for diagnosing primary sclerosing cholangitis. It employs magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to create images of your liver and bile ducts.

Bile Ducts X-ray

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a form of bile duct X-ray, may be required in addition to or instead of an MRI. However, this test is rarely utilised for diagnosis due to the danger of consequences.

Your doctor will use a flexible tube passed down your throat to inject dye into the area of your small intestine where your bile ducts are empty to make your bile ducts visible on an X-ray.

An ERCP is the test of choice if indications and symptoms persist despite no abnormalities on an MRI. If you cannot undergo an MRI due to a metal implant in your body, an ERCP is frequently the first diagnostic test.

Liver Biopsy

A liver biopsy is a surgical operation that involves removing a portion of liver tissue for laboratory examination. Your doctor inserts a needle through your skin and into your liver to obtain a tissue sample.

A liver biopsy can assist in identifying the amount of your liver’s damage. This test is utilised only when the diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis remains questionable following less invasive testing.

Treatment for PSC Liver Disease

Primary sclerosing cholangitis treatment focuses on controlling complications and monitoring liver damage after undergoing PSC liver disease testing. Many treatments have been examined in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, but none have been shown to halt or reverse the liver damage caused by this illness.

Itching Treatment

  • The first-line treatment for itching in primary sclerosing cholangitis is a medication that binds to bile acids, which are thought to induce itching in liver illness.
  • If you cannot tolerate a bile acid-binding medicine or if it is ineffective, your doctor may prescribe rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, and other antimicrobial drugs). It is uncertain how rifampin lowers itching. However, it may inhibit the brain’s response to itch-inducing substances in your bloodstream.
  • Antihistamines may aid in the relief of minor itching caused by primary sclerosing cholangitis. It is unknown whether these drugs are effective for this illness. Antihistamines may exacerbate the dry eyes and dry mouth symptoms of liver disease. On the other hand, antihistamines can help you sleep if itching keeps you awake.
  • Anti-opioid medications: Itching caused by liver disease may react to opioid antagonist medications such as naltrexone. These medications, like rifampin, diminish itch sensations by acting on the brain.
  • Ursodeoxycholic acid is a kind of uric acid (UDCA). UDCA, also known as ursodiol, is a naturally occurring bile acid that, by enhancing bile absorbability, may help reduce itching symptoms caused by liver disease.

Infection management

Bacterial infections are common when bile backs up in restricted or obstructed ducts. People with primary sclerosing cholangitis may need to take antibiotics repeatedly or for an extended period of time to prevent and treat these infections. Antibiotics must be taken before any procedure resulting in an infection, such as an endoscopic procedure or abdominal surgery.

Nutritional assistance

Because of primary sclerosing cholangitis, your body has difficulty absorbing certain vitamins. Even if you consume a healthy diet, you may not obtain all the necessary nutrients.

Your doctor may advise you to take vitamin supplements as tablets or as an infusion through a vein in your arm. You can supplement with calcium and vitamin D if the condition damages your bones.

Bile duct obstruction treatment

Blockages in your bile ducts might be caused by disease progression or be a symptom of bile duct cancer. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can assist in determining the reason, and bile duct obstruction can be treated with:

  • Balloon dilation has the potential to clear obstructions in the bigger bile channels outside the liver. In balloon dilation, your doctor inserts a thin tube (balloon catheter) with an inflatable balloon at its tip through an endoscope and into a clogged bile duct. The balloon is inflated once the balloon catheter is in place.
  • Stent insertion will use an endoscope and related equipment to implant a thin plastic tube called a stent in a clogged bile duct to keep it open.

Liver Transplant

The only known treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis is a liver transplant. Surgeons remove your sick liver and replace it with a healthy liver from a donor during a liver transplant.

People with liver failure or other serious consequences of primary sclerosing cholangitis are eligible for a Liver Transplant in India. Although rare, primary sclerosing cholangitis might reoccur following a liver transplant.

To summarise, PSC liver disease is a chronic liver condition that can lead to cancer, liver failure, and other major health problems. Depending on how serious it is, it may be curable with a bile duct procedure and medicines if caught early enough, but a liver transplant may be required if it has already harmed your organs.

To avoid PSC liver disease, you must take care of yourself and stay away from viruses and infections. Eat nutritiously and avoid junk food so your liver can readily process it.

Your doctor will perform psc liver tests to assess your exact type of PSC liver disease and give a treatment plan to manage your disease best. People with PSC liver disease must follow their doctor’s treatment plan and have routine clinical assessments.

Conclusion

If you are experiencing symptoms of primary sclerosing cholangitis or wish to seek expert help, look no further than AILBS India. It is India’s best liver transplant hospital. Dr. Vivek Vij is best Liver Transplant Surgeon in india, and he is known for providing appropriate treatment after assessing the patient’s condition.

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