Re: New to PSC/Milk Thistle

[Guest guest]

Hi ;

Welcome to the group. I'm very sorry to hear about your PSC

diagnosis, but I think you'll find a lot of support here,

On milk thistle, some members of the group do take it, and perhaps

they will comment on its benefits. Although I have no experience with

this supplement, I can point you to a good technical review on it:

Milk Thistle: Effects on Liver Disease and Cirrhosis and Clinical

Adverse Effects

http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/milktsum.htm

Best regards,

Dave

(father of (19); PSC 07/03; UC 08/03)

[Guest guest]

I began taking milk thistle 3 years ago. My ALT & AST readings, which were

VERY elevated, have slowly but steadily been going down ever since. I take

it 2-3 times a day. I remember reading in one of Dr. Weil's books

that this is one of the few herbs you can take indefinitely with no toxic

side effects or needing to take a break.

Keely Stahl

Editor-in-Chief

www.immunics.org

a not-for-profit yoga of immunity

reply to:

keely@...

> [Original Message]

>

> To: < >

> Date: 11/22/2004 10:53:27 AM

> Subject: Re: New to PSC/Milk Thistle

>

>

>

> Hi ;

>

> Welcome to the group. I'm very sorry to hear about your PSC

> diagnosis, but I think you'll find a lot of support here,

>

> On milk thistle, some members of the group do take it, and perhaps

> they will comment on its benefits. Although I have no experience with

> this supplement, I can point you to a good technical review on it:

>

> Milk Thistle: Effects on Liver Disease and Cirrhosis and Clinical

> Adverse Effects

>

> http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/milktsum.htm

>

> Best regards,

>

> Dave

> (father of (19); PSC 07/03; UC 08/03)

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I also take milk thistle 3 capsules/day (for the last couple of years). I

am currently asymptomatic; last week's US stated:

" FINDINGS: The liver is normal in appearance. There is no evidence of intra

or extrahepatic biliary ductal dilatation. The gallbladder has been

surgically removed. The left kidney is congenitally absent. The right

kidney is normal in appearance. Common hepatic duct measures 3 mm. Head

and body of the pancreas are normal. "

I believe there are some ultrasonic technicians in the group. Can a US

distinguish the bile ducts well enough to make the above statement? I saw

my ERCP radiograph from 4 years ago - the CBD the was anything but normal

(beaded, corkscrewed, strictures, etc.).

I'm not saying milk thistle had anything to do with it, but, as my hep said

" certainly won't hurt to take it " . Personally, I think things got better

once my gallbladder was removed.

Arne

53 - UC 9/77 - PSC 4/00

Alive and (mostly) well in Minnesota

[Original Message]

Hi ;

....Milk Thistle: Effects on Liver Disease and Cirrhosis and Clinical Adverse

Effects

http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/milktsum.htm

Best regards,

Dave

(father of (19); PSC 07/03; UC 08/03)

[Guest guest]

Wow that's great news! Congratulations!

Now lemme ask you, do you think there's some sort of link btwn messed

up gall bladders and PSC? You say in your post that you noticed a

diff. after you got the gall bladder out. How did this surgery come

about? Any other helpful info would be great. Thanks!

Jarad