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Prognosis

My alcoholic mom was hospitalized 8 years ago and diagnosed with cirrhosis. She stopped drinking for about a year or so and became noticeably healthier. She gained weight, gained muscle, her hair grew back and was thicker etc. It seems as though she reversed the cirrhosis a bit.
She unfortunately began drinking again and was hospitalized 7 years after her cirrhosis diagnosis. This time she was nearly paralyzed her electrolytes were so bad, along with wacky white blood cells, ascites, edema, severe back pain, muscle cramping etc. When she was discharged, she was in a wheelchair and unable to care for herself.  She slowly improved once home over several months. She went from wearing a diaper and required help bathing, dressing,  eating etc. to walking semi-stably (she sways and seems wobbly/unstable and is semi-independant. Her stomach seems swollen (ascites) but she isn't having it drained occasionally like I hear others do. She just remains swollen. Also, her hands and fingers cramp often and  don't work properly ( she can't drive, cut her own chicken or steak or drink from a glass normally and her handwriting is unrecognizable). She still drinks several times a week.  Her mind seems ok. Sometimes she repeats questions or stories, but I'm unsure if this is a symptom or if she had been drinking.

My question: Given her timeline & symptoms, what is her prognosis? I understand everyone is different and you aren't doctors. I'm just trying to get an idea of what to expect and life ecpectancy.  Are you, or do you know someone with similar symptoms and timeline? What are they telling you?


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683231 tn?1467323017
As you noted everyone is different it’s really impossible for anyone even the most highly trained medical expert to answers this question. She could go on for years or could pass away tomorrow. Has she be evaluated for esophageal varicies? If she has untreated  varicies she could pass away suddenly from an uncontrolled bleeding event. If she should develop severe ascities she could develop life threatening  SBP spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

There’s not really any way to know what her prognosis is if she continues to drink and continues to degrade. Really the best person to give you specific information about her cas would be her medical team as they are most familiar with the specifics of her case.

Best of luck
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