Michelle Timmons, a 30-year-old mother of two from Birmingham, has been diagnosed with an incurable liver condition called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and ulcerative colitis, the same diseases her late father suffered from. She experienced severe stomach pain, bleeding, urgent toilet trips, and extreme fatigue for several years before receiving the diagnosis.
Diagnosis after routine monitoring
Michelle was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2019 and underwent routine medical monitoring. During blood work in 2020, doctors discovered abnormal liver function. Further investigations, including an MRCP scan, revealed changes in her bile ducts consistent with PSC.
"I felt frightened and overwhelmed," Michelle told creatorzine.com. "I was aware PSC can sometimes occur alongside inflammatory bowel disease, but it was still a huge shock when I received the diagnosis."
Father's battle with same conditions
Michelle's father lived with both ulcerative colitis and PSC for many years. He recently died from bowel cancer. "Having seen first-hand the impact these diseases had on his life made the diagnosis particularly emotional and something I had always hoped I wouldn't have to face myself," she said.
Her father's PSC progressed to the point where he needed a liver transplant, but due to other health problems, he was not able to have one. "Seeing him go through that was incredibly difficult and naturally made me worry about what the future might hold for me," Michelle added.
Living with uncertainty
PSC is a rare condition that causes inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts. There is no cure, so Michelle's care focuses on monitoring the condition and managing symptoms. She has routine blood tests, scans, and consultations with her liver team.
"Living with PSC means living with uncertainty," she said. "It has made me more conscious of my health and the importance of attending appointments, blood tests, and scans." Despite the challenges, she tries not to let the condition define her: "I love spending time with my family and friends, being social, making memories, but I am always aware of how my health can impact those plans."
Surgery and hope for the future
Michelle is scheduled to have a total proctocolectomy with a permanent ileostomy this month. The surgery aims to remove her diseased bowel and rectum, which may also have a positive impact on her PSC. "My surgeon has explained that removing my bowel and rectum may also have a positive impact on my PSC," she said. "Knowing the surgery may benefit both my bowel disease and potentially my long-term liver health has given me reassurance I am making the right decision."
Advice for others
Michelle urges anyone with symptoms like persistent fatigue, itching (especially at night), abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, unexplained weight loss, fevers, or night sweats to seek medical attention. "PSC is a rare disease that many people have never heard of, yet it can have a profound impact on someone's life," she said. "It reinforced how important it is to listen to your body, seek medical advice when something doesn't feel right, and not be afraid to talk openly about conditions affecting the bowel and digestive system."
