PSC…

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) is a rare auto-immune disease affecting the bile ducts causing inflammation and scarring both inside and outside the liver. Patients with PSC can be asymptomatic, but for many it means a constant battle with symptoms such as:

• Severe fatigue
• Jaundice
• Acute infections within the bile ducts
• Associated IBD or Ulcerative Colitis
• Intense pain and itching
• Increased risk of developing cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)

Unfortunately PSC is a degenerative illness meaning that there is a general worsening of the condition over time. This can lead to liver transplantation being required as the disease renders the liver unable to function. Unfortunately even following transplantation there is no guarantee that the disease will not return.

... and Me

I myself was diagnosed with PSC at the age of 18 following a long period of illness and months of testing suggesting different possible causes. For the last 9 or so years I've been on daily medication, have all sorts of monitoring medical tests every 3-6 months and have generally been quite asymptomatic, living a 'normal life'.

However, there have been some major scares. I had varices (swollen veins due to hypertension and scarring of my liver) bleed internally causing me to spend a little under a week in hospital having transfusions and other surgeries performed. I had a stent (12mm plastic tube) in one of my major bile ducts for little under a year due to a narrowing in the duct causing bile to back up in my system and lead to infections.

Aside from all that, I've always felt in really good health and so want to give something back to a charity and community who have offered support to myself and those around me during my worst times.

PSC Support UK

PSC Support UK are a fantastic charity who provide assistance, advice and support for those suffering with this horrible illness. I can speak from personal experience that the community are there to help and do everything they can to assist those in need. They also support initiatives and research to help find a cure for this misunderstood and complex illness.

So please help me raise some money for this fantastic charity, I don't have a funding goal in mind but would really appreciate any donations towards this cause.

For more information on PSC and the work that PSC Support UK do please check out their page:

http://www.pscsupport.org.uk/?gclid=CJfOs63H7McCFUUcGwodiJ8IHA