Turner, now 43, didnt let the diagnosis get in the way of her active lifestyle.
When people think of liver disease, they always think of alcoholic or fatty liver disease.
“I really thought that I wasnt going to have much time.
Its a liver disease that has no cure,” Turner said.
“Largely, people can’t stop themselves from getting PBC.
It just happens,” Hirschfield told Verywell.
“It’s important that we diagnose it and important that we treat it,” Hirschfield said.
After receiving her diagnosis, Turner started treatment immediately and found some relief for her symptoms.
Connecting with support groups has helped Turner cope with her liver disease.
She received a liver transplant shortly after her diagnosis.
Some patients may not develop signs or symptoms of liver disease until they develop acute liver failure.
Specifically, neurologic symptoms and behavioral changes are often seen in patients with Wilson’s disease before liver-related symptoms.
Patients are also generally advised to have low copper diets, such as avoiding chocolate and seafood.
Turner and Chipkin-Klein are both active members of the liver disease community and they run together sometimes.
Chipkin-Klein said she will be running the New York City Marathon for the fourth time this year.
She’s now a mentor for other liver disease patients after receiving her liver transplant in 2005.
“I try very hard to live a healthy, balanced life mentally and physically.”
For some patients, taking daily medications and maintaining an appropriate diet can help improve their quality of life.
American Liver Foundation.How many people have liver disease?
Lleo A, Wang GQ, Gershwin ME, Hirschfield GM.Primary biliary cholangitis.The Lancet.
American Liver Foundation.Wilson’s Disease.
American Liver Foundation.Wilson’s disease.
