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Real members of myPBCteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A myPBCteam Member asked a question 💭
Ystalyfera, UK

Hi, I was diagnosed 6 years ago which was an incidental finding. I was absolutely fine with not really any symptoms apart from intermittent Itchiness. Until about a year ago, when the fatigue hit me hard. But my question is, does anybody suffer with heavy sore aching legs? I’m really struggling with this some days, is this actually a symptom of this disease? Does anyone else get this? It’s been going on about 8-9 months now. It’s really affecting my life!

August 5
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A myPBCteam Member

Hi all. I call it “Lead Legs”. Started in my 40’s. I exercised, lived a healthy life and couldn’t understand why this happened. Also, thanks for the info on probiotics and gut health. I don’t know if we can get our gut biome tested in Canada or not. After 30 years of taking Immodium, I just recently learned about probiotics. I just moved to a small town, and I now have the best pharmacist I’ve ever known. Plus, I found a Naturopathic Doctor, and I’m now taking live probiotics twice a day. Now I’m hardly using Immodium at all! Thank you all for sharing.

August 10
myPBCteam

Heavy, aching legs are something others with PBC can relate to — you're definitely not alone in this! What you're describing sounds like it could be connected to the fatigue that comes with PBC, which can show up as more than just tiredness. PBC-related fatigue can cause muscle weakness and that heavy, uncomfortable feeling Show Full Answer

Heavy, aching legs are something others with PBC can relate to — you're definitely not alone in this! What you're describing sounds like it could be connected to the fatigue that comes with PBC, which can show up as more than just tiredness. PBC-related fatigue can cause muscle weakness and that heavy, uncomfortable feeling in the limbs. One myPBCteam member described it perfectly: "I feel heavy, like I'm in a force field." This happens partly because the muscles in people with PBC can build up higher levels of lactic acid, which causes them to tire and ache more easily. PBC fatigue symptoms can include:

- Muscle weakness
- A heavy or uncomfortable feeling in the body
- Lack of energy even after rest
- Trouble concentrating or low motivation

It's worth noting that fatigue in PBC doesn't always improve with sleep or even with medication that slows the disease's progression. Since this has been going on for 8-9 months and is really affecting your quality of life, it's really important to bring this up with your doctor or specialist. They can help rule out other contributing factors and explore management options tailored to you. Don't suffer in silence — this is exactly the kind of symptom worth flagging! 💙

August 5

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