KR0NIC-IMPACT

Well with influenza and back pain there's very visible symptoms and side effects, but I've found that PSC has very few symptoms, that have the chance to take over my everyday life. I do still have trouble eating, which can result in me getting hangry every now and again, and I get persistent itchiness - which results in persistent scratching. But, as long as I eat, and if I can keep myself surrounded with the things I enjoy (listening to music, writing (one of my hobbies) or being around people I enjoy), it can really take the edge off. And I just try to stay positive. You learn to grow with the suffering :)

Well as far as I know South Africa doesn't have an opt-out organ donation policy, you either sign up to be an organ donor or you're not. And I hadn't heard of such a thing before I was diagnosed, but it does sound like a really good idea to be honest. I completely understand some peoples idea to keep themselves "whole" once they pass on, for whatever reason that may be, but becoming an organ donor is essentially giving someone else the chance to carry on living, or live a more fulfilling life. And I feel like, if there are no objections by relatives, or on the part of the deceased, then there should be no reason why we can't simply use what someone else has left behind, to help a number of other people. As for my friends and family's opinion? I'm sure my family would endorse the idea of opt-out organ donation, and likely most of my friends, but I haven't asked.

Awesome man! I'm glad you got out the transplant phase. But yeah I was on prednisone for a while. Not great. Tasted nasty. And yeah the worst one for me is probably the itchiness, and the fatigue can be a pain sometimes, but the itchiness kills. And it's great to find other people who can deal with the same shit I'm having to go through. I hoping for the best in the future, and staying positive and upbeat as always :D Hope your health comes right. P.S. As for the UC, I've never been on Remicade, but I'm hoping I'll never have to. My UC is in remission at the moment, so I haven't had to deal with it thank god. Hope it works out well

It definitely can. I always imagined I'd live to the age of 80 (just an idea of my time), but when I was diagnosed it sub-consciously changed to 40. They didn't tell me how long I had, but the idea that I could be living a shorter life than what I was expecting came as a bit of a shock. I realised that I had already lived half my life. I also found that I started caring less for inane day to day activities. If I wasn't enjoying what I was doing, there was no point. I would rather be enjoying my life, doing shit that I really want to be doing, instead of going from day to day, simply ticking boxes. I've found that I'm more positive, even happier than what I once was. I find the beauty in the little things, and enjoy every little moment that's handed to me on a silver platter. You create an appreciation for everyday life when you're confronted by your own mortality. The idea that your existence will come to an end at any point, is a humbling thing. You stop seeing the negative (at least after you're able to get over the initial shock, and find your path). Because you realise that there's no point being negative. Why spend the rest of your life being grumpy, frustrated and annoyed, when you can be actively happy, and bring out that happiness in other people. Because it's contagious. A simple smile can go a long way. I also started living in the moment more. Carpe Diem and all that latin

To be honest, I'm not really sure. I was at a private hospital and they recommended me to Groote Schuur. I haven't been back to a private doctor since, and I haven't asked for a second opinion. Thanks for the support