Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

One neurodegenerative disorder that doesn’t seem to get much attention is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. Despite this, it is one of the top ten most common neurodegenerative disorders in the world and here in the United States.
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Dr. Jim Collins is a Gerontologist and nationally-recognized expert in wellness and health care for seniors and older Americans. Over his 30-year career Dr. Collins has always had a strong focus on education - both as a prolific speaker, author of published articles, newsletters and the first book about person-centered care for seniors entitled "The Person-Centered Way: Revolutionizing Quality of Life in Long Term Care".
Dr. Collins decided to take his passion for speaking and teaching to a national audience through his company CEU Academy, an online provider of continuing education for licensed healthcare professionals. With its extensive and ever-developing library, Dr. Collins and his dedicated staff bring impactful and timely information to tens of thousands of healthcare professionals in states throughout the country with this online system.

[@TheCardiffgirl]

As a psychiatric nurse for many years here in Germany (now retired), I can say that a big part of the diagnosis of Wernicke - Korsakoff is always so late, that people have to be cared for in nursing homes or psychiatric units. Families refuse to believe in this socialy unaceptable condition, continue to bring family members wine, beer or candy and simply label it as Alzheimers. They would have been witness to long-time drinking habits, change of personality, eating habits, lack of personal hygiene, inabilty to use new things like a phone, bankcard etc. Thank you so much for your clear and simple take on things. It should help an awful lot of people.

[@rebekkad.2092]

My husband had a change of personality. He's been to many doctors (even his psychologist) and nobody caught this. If it wasn't for the internet this may have put him in a nursing home. He had heart-valve surgery and was never the same after that. Come to find out it is not unusual for b1 deficiency after this but the doctors never mentioned it. He now takes benfotiamine and is slowly improving. I am very disheartened with doctors. Unless they can put you on prescription drugs they don't want to hear it.

[@shari382]

This is exactly what is happening to my husband.

[@maryburkett4916]

I agree with you 100%. Most just want to blame the patient or sell drugs, rather than provide steps to improve.

[@ohdwight]

DOCTORS KNOW AND WITHHOLD THE TRUTH ; THEY ARE EVIL ; ALL DRS KNOW B1 IS NECESSARY FOR ALCOHOLICS

[@chrism3188]

My father (lifelong excessive beer drinker), stopped eating and slipped into a severely declining state over the pandemic resulting in him being unconscious on the ground for 2 days having lived off beer for a few weeks. He was diagnosed with WKS and spent 54 days in hospital (was stable and could've been released 2 weeks earlier but he was still recovering and his final discharge assessment would determine if he kept his medical power of attorney, so we kept him there hoping to get him over the bar). Luckily his organs recovered quickly in hospital but his walking (ataxia) and his memory (new short to long term memory) were severely compromised. We were told he would likely need full time care for rest of his life and he may never walk. I worked with him daily starting on day 15 in hospital through discharge for 60 days both physically and mentally and slow recovery was noticed, i got him to shuffle walk and remember things for 1 hr, then 2 then a day, but progress started to noticeably taper and was almost stagnant at around day 120. All the research I did basically said there is basically no treatment (given neuron brain damage) other than 100% no alcohol and vitamin B. But then I started looking into TBI and stroke recovery since there are some parallels and found some recent stem cell trial results that looked very hopeful. I tried to contact several research doctors but no response and there weren't any new trials soon or that i wanted to risk him being in the 50% placebo group so I looked for clinics internationally and found a few. after looking up reviews and distances we ended up choosing Bioexcelerator in Colombia. The clinic didn't have any experience treating his condition and was hesitant because of the rate of progression from continued alcoholism, but I advocated hard and they accepted him as a patient. 6 months after his hospitalization we were in Colombia and he got 110 million stem cells injected via IV(Not as needed) and 40 million stem cells injected intrathecally into his spinal cavity fluid to migrate to the brain (this was the main hopeful treatment). 48 hrs later he was noticeably sharper and clearer eyed, 72 hrs later he could remember details from earlier in the day or a movie he was watching much better, 2 weeks later he could still remember his trip to Colombia and what connecting flights he was on and where we stayed on the route from Colombia to Canada, etc. 3 weeks later he drove himself to his dental appointment, settled the bill and drove back home all on his own with his face frozen! and now he recites summaries of articles he read in the paper 1-3 days before.. It's been like a miracle. I felt like I needed to share my experience in case it helps even one other person, we still have a long road ahead and we pray his recovery continues at the current pace, we are now on week 4 after treatment. As positive as my father's response has been, I can't say it would be the same in all cases (i don't want to give false hope, but I do want to give hope and credit where it's due) we also don't know yet how far the treatment will help him get back to his former baseline, as you may know, WKS is considered as a spectrum from acute /temporary(Wernicke) to more chronic/permanent (korsakoff), FYI in my dad's case the doctors indicated based on his clinical diagnosis and MRIs he was likely mid spectrum with some definite permanent damages but hopeful prognosis on some recovery over many mths/yrs.

[@hmmcinerney]

What a lucky man your Dad is, you are phenomenal ❤️

[@chrism3188]

@@hmmcinerney too kind.

[@thecartatree]

I need your help! My dad was diagnosed with this!

[@chrism3188]

@thecartatree I'm really sorry to hear this. Pls stay strong. I dont know how much I can help besides sharing my story herein. Every case seems different in almost every aspect given the spectrum of chronic to acute symptoms and causes. My father definitely is not fully recovered and still struggles to walk properly with very bad leg control and still obvious cognitive cues, but he has mentally come a long way and progress continued very slowly several yrs later now. (100% no alcohol+ healthy diet). I pray and wish you the absolute best with your father.

[@marthasparks6927]

​​@@chrism3188I have this, and when I "come to" this is the type of stuff I look for for some semblance of hope. Thank you.

[@bonniej2609]

*I DOSED MY BRO WITH B1 HEAVY* AND SAW MOOD COGNITIVE IMPROVE

[@jamesharmer9293]

I am a recovering alcoholic. I got Wernicke encephalopathy back in the day. I'm very lucky, due to prompt medical treatment I survived. PS Wernicke was German, as such the W in his name should be pronounced as V.

[@marthasparks6927]

Hey man, congratulations. I am currently going through this and I have some questions if you don't mind.

[@jamesharmer9293]

@@marthasparks6927 Ask away, glad to help.

[@LiNoeliam93]

Thanks for reading that out for us Doctor. Saved me the hassle of Googling it, finding the right document, printing it off and then reading it myself. Thank goodness for GP's!

[@donnawoods8039]

I am a caretaker for a 71 year old woman with Wernicke-Korsakoff. She drank so much that she lived on alcohol and wouldn't eat for years. She is on thiamine and blood medication as well as a nebulizer, gets physical, cognitive therapy and we have a visiting nurse. However, the hardest part is trying to get her to eat healthy. Her children take her out shopping and buy her tons of candy, chocolate and cola. If I find it, I will hide it and dole it out to her as a treat. But normally I can't find it and will see her eating it all at once in her bedroom. How can I handle this without her becoming agitated?

[@blixacash5458]

My 80 year old father is moving to nursing home this month because of this. After talking with a support center about my father's quite obvious but undiagnosed dementia and his looong term alcohol abuse I specifically asked a doctor about it while his hospital stay in 2020. (He had gastrointestinal bleeding because of abuse related ulcers and he broke his shoulder in a yet another fall.) They brushed it off. Now it's been confirmed at the same hospital. He's gone cold turkey so many times, both home alone and at the hospital that I wonder how much damage could have been prevented by quick infusions with thiamine and magnesium.

[@2eleven48]

I was diagnosed with WE two weeks ago after a CT brain scan, symptoms and history of alcohol addiction. I drank a bottle (sometimes two) of sherry every day for seven years from the time of my mother's descent into dementia and going on from there. The scan showed that parts of my brain had been damaged. The symptoms were largely related to gait - intense tingling and burning in my feet, then rising up my lower legs to the extent that I lost my balance twice in the street and fell down hard. I had a moment of stupor during one of the falls (leading thus to the scan). WE can also affect memory, but then I've always had poor memory, so not too noticeable! I also receive pain in my lower back and buttocks and hip joints if I walk any distance, which may signify other neuropathy. I'm now on 200mg of thiamine per day, and will have two MRI scans for brain and lower back in the weeks to come to determine the extent of the disease. I stopped drinking five days ago. I will monitor what effects the withdrawal will have on me. In short, early days. I'm 75. Robert, uk. (p.s. you may wonder why I bother at my age, but I'm still relatively alive and kicking, as it were).

[@stephaniepugh9056]

Thank you! This was very helpful.

[@MrXrisd01]

Psych nurse heading to see patient with this today, thank you for refresher, exactly what I needed!! Curious what your conversations sound like with patients when discussing. Subscribed.

[@dorialli1996]

Thank you for some more information on my syndrome. I have been dealing with it for little over a year but in that year i lost the muscles that are required to stand and walk because it went unnoticed for so long. I am on a war path to get my mobility back and its been a struggle i am only 27 and it took them almost a year and the reason I ended up with it is because I went down a long bumpy road of anorexia i say all this to say the more information the better and I get stronger everyday people dont understand it because they dont have it

[@millerstation92]

jesus christ, I also have it and I'm also 27. Do you wanna talk?

[@dorothyclemmer5099]

Great delivery! Easy to learn from you. I subscribed. Say, my B-complex includes Cyanocobalamin (B12). There are KZbin videos discussing the Cyano portion of the vitamin.... it causes kidney damage in some individuals. Now I'm wondering what to do with the pills.😮

[@cincin4515]

I learned back in the 80's that constant alcohol consumption disrupts the absorption of certain vitamins, especially the B vitamins which need replacing daily. I was taught that if you consume alcohol you should take a high strength multi B tablet everyday.

[@Andy-we5og]

I have an addiction to alcohol, and have to take thiamine 3 times a day and vitamin B Complex strong , 4 times ,

[@kyliereef7664]

I've learnt if you are still drinking alcohol your body will not replenish it's deficiency as your body is using the B1 supplement you are taking to process the alcohol you are drinking. If you go on a medical detox, you won't be drinking, they fill you up with B1. I feel that was the best way we could get my boyfriend feeling a little bit better. It's a terrible disease that I hope has more support options in the future. I personally could not find a doctor to help him. Why can't we have GPs that specialises in alcohol dependence How can we cope with this disease when there are no specialist supporting you.

[@maryburkett4916]

There are more than enough physicians that provide "stop having any alcohol" as their only treatment option. Ignorant and condescending to patients. Most do not want to stop drinking alcohol, just lower amounts or have specific days with or without it. Unprofessional and lazy medical staff offer only one unrealistic suggestion. Knowing its so completely undesirable and boring that nearly all patients would not choose that. Thankfully there are the VERY FEW helpful and realistic medical professionals that help direct the patient to specific days for alcohol and days for not. The spread of unrealistic and judgmental opinions does nothing but hurt people that seek out help.

[@kasperadamson4654]

Awesome reading skills.

[@shdhahableel6533]

thank u doc, u help me a lot in my exams

[@kikibridges1564]

My mother was recently diagnosed with this. She had gastroparesis and vomited for 2 months daily. She stopped eating and drinking. She'd gotten so weak, she was admitted into the hospital, where her MRI confirms Wernicke's Encephalopathy. I'm glad they caught it in the early stage. I pray she doesn't have severe damage. We can't visit her in the hospital due to Covid restrictions. Thank you for your breakdown of this illness.

[@bratbaby7211]

Any updates on your mom yet?

[@kikibridges1564]

@@bratbaby7211 Thanks for asking. She's still in the hospital. They're giving her B1 vitamins through IV and she now has a feeding tube for nutrition because she wasn't eating. The malnutrition is what caused the deficiency in her case. She's now in a confused state of mind. We're praying the treatment was done early enough to reverse it.

[@bratbaby7211]

@@kikibridges1564 glad to hear it my mom was 80 pds on feeding tube t00,hang in there it was a hard time for me but i would do it all again keep ur faith friend

[@kikibridges1564]

@@bratbaby7211 I thank you for your encouraging words. It's definitely hard. Sorry to hear about your mom. We only get one. All I can pray for is that they know they're loved. Thank you friend.

[@bratbaby7211]

@@kikibridges1564 we can chat hear anytime for now i get notifications as this phone is working lol we can talk right now I'm worried about wet brain or worse for myself. Please pray it works out for me almost 90 days sober.

[@elspastico1546]

Question: is it fatal because the person continues to drink? Or is it fatal due to the damage already caused? I think my brother has this, but can no longer drink because he can’t walk far enough to get it, and he doesn’t drive.

[@lyndawilson3297]

My ex husband has got it, after 3 mths from diagnosis I took him away for some sea air for a week, and hes started drinking again, I've washed my hands of it all, had more than enough.

[@lyndawilson3297]

And like your brother he can't walk properly but refuses to get in a wheelchair, and he doesn't drive,

[@elspastico1546]

@@lyndawilson3297 there comes a point when you have to wash your hands of it. We can’t force people to do the right thing. I’m sorry about your husband.

[@blixacash5458]

​@@lyndawilson3297I'm glad you walked away. It's horrific to help try to help people that don't want to be helped or are now unable to grasp consequences

[@shirleyraven]

I appreciate your question regarding the implications of societal traumas. I'm very curious if W-K Syndrome will also increase due to the mRNA vaccinations. I know there is research showing how similar the adverse effects are to auto immune disorders, as well as the increase in neurological disorders.

[@queeniesarver9788]

I have it! Diganosed few years ago. Two Gastric bypass sugerys one at 14 and then 17 years old. My highest weight was 455lbs. Lowest weight 91lbs. Unable to digest vitamin B's Vit D's Arnold Chari Skull Malformation sugerys, Age 14 and 24 years old. But actually looks like I am drunk at times. Yet I am not.

[@marthasparks6927]

Really? I do as well. Message me if you don't mind.

[@sallycunningham9608]

What are the stages of Korsakoff my husband is in a care home suffering from this

[@tron.44]

Vehrnika not werniki

[@user-uo5jw7lz5g]

Stay away from psychiatrist drugs ttfd benfothiame

[@jenniferdrake5793]

I was diagnosed with Wernicke - Korsakoff Syndrome a decade ago. Given that I've only had a half a dozen glasses of alcohol in my entire life, 39 years at the time of my diagnosis. There clearly are many, many other causes that have absolutely nothing to do with alcohol. Stop overemphasizing the link to alcoholism and give equal time to the other causes. I've not even heard you mentioning the actual long term symptoms. Many of which have absolutely nothing to do with the memory. Look it up on Wikipedia before you make videos for us to watch.

[@MrSamoleus]

@jenniferdrake5793 If I may ask, what caused Wernicke - Korsakoff Syndrom in your case?

[@ohdwight]

EXACTLY ; GIVE US SOME EDUCATION HERE !@@MrSamoleus

[@marthasparks6927]

​@@MrSamoleusvitamin deficiency. That's why alcoholics and drug addicts get it. We don't eat adequately.