Re: Severe PSC itching

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan

While I don't have the severe itching that you describe, I had

mysterious itching long before my PSC diagnosis in 2005. I went to

dermatologists, used different lotions & potions, and changed as many

products as I could to unscented and/or natural ingredients and still

didn't get relief. It wasn't until after my UC diagnosis in 2002 that

I tried doing anything with my diet.

Anyway, I went to a place that did Interro Testing in Toronto, ON

[i've included a web-link below for info on the procedure]. I know

that my physician scoffed at it and the jury is still out on the

validity of the procedure. However, the long and the short of it was

it helped identify foods that I was intolerant to which wouldn't be

likely to show up on classic pin-prick allergy testing procedures. I

discussed this with some of my co-workers [i work in healthcare] and

part of the reason is that allergy tests typically rely on histamine

reactions. However, a lot of foods affect us directly in the gut

leading to cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and sometimes itching but

none of this seems to be histamine mediated (meaning the classic

allergy tests won't identify them).

Over time I eliminated the foods that were identified as being highly

intolerant. Oddly enough, a lot of these put me into following a

gluten free diet and yet I don't have any of the celiac markers

(recently confirmed). I found that after I eliminated the foods at the

top of my list (i.e., highest intolerance), my itching was noticeably

reduced. I started seeing a hepatologist in December '06 and she

started me on URSO. The itching seems to be decreasing further;

however, when I eat certain foods (i.e., high on my list) the itching

returns. I'd definitely say there's a dietary connection but how it

works, I'm not sure. My guess is that having a compromised liver sets

us up for the itching to begin with (which we know in severe cases

when bilirubin backs up into the blood) but is somehow exacerbated via

certain foods. So if we can improve the flow in the liver as well as

avoid the foods, we should get relief from itching.

So if you can find a place close to where you live that offers this

testing, give it a try. Even if it's a placebo effect, I found it

invaluable at identifying what I could eat and in the end, I feel

better, which is what it's all about anyway.

http://www.redpaw.net/faq.htm