Hepatitis C Community
PBC possible with normal AMA results
About This Community:

This forum is for questions about medical issues and research aspects of Hepatitis C such as, questions about being newly diagnosed, questions about current treatments, information and participation in discussions about research studies and clinical trials related to Hepatitis. If you would like to communicate with other people who have been touched by Hepatitis, please visit our new Hepatitis Social/Living with Hepatitis forum

Font Size:
A
A
A
Background:
Blank
Blank
Blank
Blank Blank

PBC possible with normal AMA results

For the last 10 yrs I have had moderate to high elevated liver enzymes.  I have severe itching, skin darking on arms and back in splotchs.  I have experienced muscle pain and fatigue and also joint pain. Upper right quadrant pain is a daily thing. Liver biopsy was non specific with mild portal and lobular inflammation.  AMA was normal, ENA was positive. Had MRI, CT's, Ultrasounds.  Tested for all neurological and mucsclular along with RA and Lupus all ruled out.  What is possiblity of PCB with a normal AMA result.  I have severe drug allergies and also experience periods of mental problems, ie: memory, unable to concentrate. I am a 50 yr old female that has run out of patience with the medical profession and am tired of not being able to live my life normally without pain.  Any information will be appreciated.
Related Discussions
4 Comments Post a Comment
Blank
Avatar_m_tn
Sorry you've been suffering so long.

As you probably know, most of us here are either in treatment or about to go into treatment for hepatitis c. Not to many experts on primary billateral cirrhosis (PBC). That said, a lot of us can relate to "running out of patience with the medical profession." :)

I don't know the odds of normal AMA results correlating with PBC but it seems you've had all the other tests such as ultrasoutnd, MRI , CT's. You would have think PBC would have been picked up?

There's always liver biopsy but you would have to convince a doctor it's indicated and that might not be easy.

We have a blood-marker test called Fibrosure available by labcorp. Some use it for measuring fibrosis/cirhosis in hep c patients. Don't know if it works if you don't have hep c. Maybe you can check that out. Also a new x-ray device called Firbroscan just entering this country. Been used in Europe a lot to measure liver fibrosis/stiffnes. Again, not sure how it correlates to the non hep c population.

There's also a few discussion groups that deal more with cirrhosis and end stage liver disease. Someone over at the janis site posted the name recently. You might try over there and see if anyone remembers the site. http://forums.delphiforums.com/friendship7/messages/?msg=22134.1

Again, we're not doctors here but to me your symptons don't sound like cirrhosis in light of the testing you've done. Maybe others can relate to the symptons better and offer alternate suggestions.

Thanks for stopping by.

-- Jim

Blank
Avatar_n_tn
have been testes hepatitis , A,B,C negative however hep b surface was noted to be borderline what ever that means.  I have had Liver Biopsy already.  Non Specific findings. thanks about info on new x-ray will have to ask Dr. bout that one.  Just got to find a new gastro first.  Thanks
Blank
Avatar_m_tn
You know, the obvious just occured to me...have you been tested for hepatitis a, b or c? I'm sure you have, but if not, I'd say that is a good next step.

-- Jim
Blank
Avatar_f_tn
there is an AMA-negative type of autoimmune hepatitis, here it is called autoimmune cholangitis. the differential diagnosis by liver biopsy is tricky, sometimes. it responds well to treatment with immunesuppressants (azioprine)and steroids (prednisone).

also, try check here:
http://pbcers.org/
all the best to you
a.
Blank
Post a Comment
To
Go
Blank
Weight Tracker
Reach your weight goal faster
Start Tracking Now
MedHelp Health Answers
Top Hepatitis Answerers
Avatar_m_tn
Blank
willbb
Avatar_m_tn
Blank
copyman
1815939_tn?1361399900
Blank
pooh55811
1840891_tn?1337472550
Blank
ceanothus
Los Gatos, CA
766573_tn?1365170066
Blank
Idyllic
179856_tn?1333550962
Blank
nygirl7
Planet Earth, CT
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1349564002
Blank
Parkinson Awareness Month: Parkinso... Blank
May 10 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
233488_tn?1310696703
Blank
NEW STUDIES ON PREVENTING PROGRESSI...
May 08 by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAOBlank
2126606_tn?1346348724
Blank
Heroin Use in the U.S.
May 08 by Clare Waismann Kavin, Blank