Cholestasis Treatment in India

Rahul Reddy, a 42-year-old software engineer...

Rahul Reddy, a 42-year-old software engineer and father of two, had always been health-conscious. Over the past three months, he developed relentless, severe itching, especially on his palms and soles, that disrupted his sleep and work. His skin was covered in scratch marks, and he noticed his urine had turned dark like tea, while his stools were pale and clay-colored. A persistent fatigue had settled in, making his demanding job nearly impossible. His primary care doctor ran blood tests revealing dramatically elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin, pointing to cholestasis. He was referred to Dr. Sharma, a gastroenterologist. Dr. Sharma explained that cholestasis meant bile wasn't flowing properly from his liver, causing the buildup of toxins. He recommended an MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography) to visualize his bile ducts non-invasively and rule out blockages like stones or strictures. The procedure itself was straightforward but claustrophobic for Rahul; he had to lie still in the MRI machine for about 45 minutes while contrast dye highlighted his ducts. The results were a relief, they showed no structural blockages, pointing instead to a likely intrahepatic cause like primary biliary cholangitis. Post-procedure, with a clear diagnosis, Rahul started treatment with Ursodeoxycholic Acid to promote bile flow and cholestyramine for the itch. Over the next few weeks, the debilitating itching subsided, his energy slowly returned, and his lab values improved. Emotionally, he journeyed from frustration and fear, worried about a serious liver disease and his ability to provide for his family, to profound relief and optimism. Having a name for his condition and an effective treatment plan gave him back a sense of control and hope for a manageable future.