My situation is that my mum has this condition. To cut a long story short she was living elsewhere and had 18kg of fluid removed by a drain due to ascites. I believe that amount to be correct as she weighed 58kg before and 40kg after drain. She has been suffering with confusion since around 24th August, in and out of hospital for various mental episodes. They just sent her home. Finally 3 weeks ago she went to hospital via ambulance and they've kept her in, giving iv vitamins. I mentioned wernickes to them a number of times. Now I think as treatment wasn't prompt it's moved on to koroskof. She's now not eating meals or drinking fluids. Does anyone else have experience of this? Does she have a chance of recovery mentally?
Written by
Lou77-
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Has she been officially diagnosed with WKS? I have never heard anything about that condition as it isn't a liver one but seems to be a rare condition due to thiamine deficiency. Had a read about it after seeing your post :- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werni...
If she hasn't been diagnosed with WKS it is highly likely that with her advanced cirrhosis she is suffering from Hepatic Encephalopathy which is a condition which comes about due to toxins building up in the blood stream and affecting functioning of the brain. This can be a mild condition with memory issues, concentration difficulties etc. or can be very severe. HE can in some cases be helped by regular toiletting (most cirrhosis patients take lactulose to help with removal of toxins from body) and there is a newer medication Rifaximin - my husband takes both. He has mild HE symptoms due to his advanced cirrhosis.
Don't be afraid to ask the medics questions. It sometimes prompts them to ask themselves these questions if there's a carer or relative with the patient.
Hi lou77 . Just came across your post . I too have Cirrosis . Since 2008 . I am not familiar with the WKS myself , but I was just wondering how things are now with your mum ?
My husband was diagnosed with wernickes back in Aug 2015...he spent 12 days in hospital and 21 bags of pabrinex iv later...they already suspected before he was taken to hospital by ambulance as had all the symptoms of nystagmus, unsteady gait and memory problems....he also had hallucinations, slurred and stuttered speech and low obs....the thiamine had reversed his nystagmus almost immediatly....took a wk for speech and a over a wk to be able to walk with a walker....nearly 2 yrs on he still walks with a walker and now has neuropathy and dystonia in foot and leg due to werncikes....he has essential tremor and his memory is poor....i can have a conversation with him and he will forget it later....he now has been told he may have mild korskoff as doesn't show signs of confabulation but does have memory issues and hallucinations which are 2 signs of korsakoff...
He still takes his thiamine and b vitamins and doesn't drink alcohol which is very important to stop a relapse...or as he was told death or coma....
I've had to research alot as not even neurologist knows the condition....so I know quite a bit about it....there is also a page on Facebook with over 300 people who suffer or are carers for people that do...
I hope things will work out as all I know is prognosis is very much variable on individuals...xx
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
New here and have some concerns!
Just joined, hello everyone. 
Looking for more support 
