Michelle Timmons, a 30-year-old mother of two from Birmingham, has been diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a rare liver condition she had long feared. Despite years of hoping she would avoid it, Michelle received the diagnosis after routine blood tests in 2020 revealed abnormal liver function. She had already been living with Ulcerative Colitis since 2019, an inflammatory bowel disease that also affects her father.
The Diagnosis and Its Emotional Impact
Michelle, a senior dental nurse, underwent an MRCP scan—a specialised MRI that examines the bile ducts and liver—which confirmed changes linked to PSC. The condition causes inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts, both inside and outside the liver. “I felt frightened and overwhelmed,” Michelle said. “I was aware that PSC can sometimes occur alongside inflammatory bowel disease, but it was still a huge shock.”
Her father had also lived with both Ulcerative Colitis and PSC, and recently died from bowel cancer. “Having seen first-hand the impact these diseases had on his life made the diagnosis particularly emotional,” she added. “It was something I had always hoped I wouldn't have to face myself.”
Symptoms and Challenges
Michelle had been experiencing severe abdominal pain, bleeding, urgent toilet needs, and overwhelming fatigue due to her Ulcerative Colitis, so she did not suspect another condition. “Looking back, the fatigue was probably one of the most challenging symptoms because it is something people often can't see or understand,” she said. PSC can be difficult to spot because symptoms are often vague or may not appear until the disease has progressed.
According to the NHS, PSC is a chronic liver disease where the bile ducts become narrowed from inflammation and scarring. Over time, scar tissue can block parts of the bile ducts completely, which can rarely lead to liver cancers and requires monitoring by liver specialists.
Treatment and Future Outlook
There is currently no cure for PSC, so Michelle's treatment focuses on monitoring the condition through regular blood tests, scans, and specialist appointments. She also manages symptoms and complications. In June 2026, she is scheduled to have a total proctocolectomy with a permanent ileostomy—a surgery to remove the large intestine—which may also help alleviate her PSC symptoms. “My surgeon has explained that removing my bowel and rectum may also have a positive impact on my PSC,” Michelle said. “Knowing that the surgery may benefit both my bowel disease and potentially my long-term liver health has given me additional reassurance.”
Raising Awareness
Michelle urges anyone experiencing symptoms such as persistent fatigue, itching (especially at night), abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, unexplained weight loss, fevers, or night sweats to seek medical advice. “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. “I recently lost my dad to bowel cancer, which has made my own health journey even more emotional. It reinforced how important it is to listen to your body.”
