Guest guest Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 http://pbcers.org/whatis.htm The Liver The liver is the largest solid organ in the body, and is also the largest gland. It weighs about three and a half pounds (1.6 kilograms). It measures about 8 inches (20 cm) horizontally (across) and 6.5 inches (17 cm) vertically (down) and is 4.5 inches (12 cm) thick. See what the liver does and how it can do so much. PBC As the PBC progresses, some patients require vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K replacement therapy to add back fat-soluble vitamins which are lost in fatty stools. A calcium supplement may be prescribed to help prevent osteomalacia and osteoporosis. When medical treatments, such as URSO 250 & URSO Forte, Actigall and methotrexate, no longer control the disease, the patient should be evaluated for a liver transplant. The end stage of PBC is liver failure. Many signs indicate liver failure: increased bilirubin, jaundice, fluid accumulation or ascites, malnutrition, gastrointestinal bleeding, intractable itching, bone fractures and hepatic coma. Transplant is recommended before most of these symptoms occur. Recent studies suggest that about 30% of those diagnosed with PBC will require a transplant. The transplant outcome for PBC patients is excellent. As with any other chronic illness, support and understanding is very important in helping the PBC patient cope with day to day living. Educate your Family Members and Friends about PBC. (Printable version) ABC's of PBC by Tropple (PBCer) Poem Me & My PBC by Janice Hurst (PBCer) Anatomy & Functions of the Biliary System But you look good! Common Characteristics of Liver Disease Complications of cirrhosis Diagnostic tests Donating Blood Fatigue in PBC Feeling Misunderstood: Living with Chronic Illness " Fuzzy Brain " Some refer to it as a symptom in PBC Gastroenterology Notebook Glossary of Terms High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Hepatology terms all PBCers should know J. Worman, M.D. - PBC M. Vierling, M.D PBC site Liver, it's function & diseases MedicineNet's Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) Center PBC is not considered a terminal illness Questions and Answers About Autoimmunity Sjogrens Syndrome Strokes, Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome & PBC Waiting List process & links of interest Abbreviations - Find out what those Medical abbreviations mean Antiphospholipid Syndrome - what is it and what YOU should know. Article PBC Disease Stages Canadian Liver Foundation Clinical Trials on PBC & other liver diseases Costochondritis and PBC Hepatic Encephalopathy Hepatology interesting PBC & related research articles Hepatology terms all PBCers should know Liver Biopsy WSEC Liver Study Unit at the University of Chicago Hospitals Lupus with Liver Involvement, Article by J. Wallace, M.D. Mayo Clinic - PBC Medical dictionary & scientific medical dictionaries NORD - Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Osteoporosis & Other Bone Diseases Osteoporosis & Liver Disease Osteoporosis Management ECO-DG Dispatch: New Diagnostic Technique PBC UK Conference Notes Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Canadian Liver Foundation Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) West Shore Endoscopy Center Questions you may want to ask your doctor Transplant links URSO dosage by weight and cost chart US (800) 950-8085 and Canada (800) 565-3255 NOW A NOTE ON PBC TREATMENT People with PBC NEED to take URSO 250 or URSO 500 or the generic version of ursodiol acid.. Standard dosing is 1000 MG daily of URSO.or if ursodiol acid (generic) 900 MH or 1200 MG. The generic comes in capsules of 300 MG whereas URSO comes in doseage of 250 mMGor 500 MG. Your doctor will prescribe the proper dose for you. This medication is PROVEN treatment for PBC and in many cases PBCers have had improved liver panels and have not progressed. We have PBCers here who have remained at stages 3 and 4 with no progression and they will most likely never need to have a transplant. One of our new members as of December, Anne, has been able to remain stable all because of taking her URSO. Even though I have had my transplant (2004) I am still taking my urso as having a transplant is not a cure. Although I have no sign of PBC at all I gave been on urso since one month post TX ..taken as a preventive. I take the generic and take 4 a day.equaling 1200 MG. Blessings, Joanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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