Donna B.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis

At the age of 35, after frequent lab results and repeated liver biopsies, I was diagnosed with PBC. For the next 10 years I felt fine without any symptoms. Around 1995 extreme fatigue began. I was hardly able to put one foot on front of the other but continued working full time as a RN and raising 2 daughters. Shortly thereafter, the itching became overwhelming. I quickly learned what might help but more importantly what made it worse. In and around 2003 I became jaundiced. I was very sick. The fatigue, itching, and the jaundice.consumed my life. I had a loving and supportive family but often my battle everyday was very private. I was placed on the transplant list in March 2005.

By the grace of God I received the gift of life – a liver transplant on April 13, 2005.

A complete stranger saved my life and to which I am grateful everyday. As a result I felt strongly that perhaps I could provide some support and understanding to others from my PBC journey. In May 2017 I started a closed Facebook group for such a purpose. No one who suffers from PBC should every feel alone.