Is it normal for a stage 4 cirrhosis patient to wake up disoriented or unable to remember things they have done?

The final stages of liver failure are awful--my SIL is an GI specializing in hepatology. He's had many patients show up at the ED in last stage liver failure and they usually just receive palliative care.

So sad--he was home last week while I was tending the kids and he mentioned he was charting a patient who evidently missed the information he gave her, in great detail about how her liver cancer was terminal. She had called him at home to ask for clarification--and he was talking to her--after the call, he was a little blue. Said he wished people would LISTEN to him. I believe the woman died just a few hours after that conversation. She was not on hospice or anything of the sort. Just felt 'really sick'.

He had been incredibly good to this patient, but he couldn't make her understand the severity of her illness. It was truly sad.

This is not to the OP so much as an observation.

Did this person's doctor not tell him/her what to expect now the person is in stage 4? That they are to call with any changes or concerns? If not, the doctor should have. He should preparer his patient and family with what is to come.

Is this person on Hospice? If so, this is a question for the Nurse and he/she should be available 24/7 by phone if not scheduled for a visit.

Please discuss any new confusion with medical doctor involved in this case. We can't know an individual, nor his diagnosis. There is confusion involved with most end stage illnesses, but taking our word for that could miss a new UTI or a change in oxygenation. With legal and medical questions you are best to make a call to the patient's own doctor. I know times are tough getting medical care and answers. I hope you get good advice.

Agree with TChamp. Encephalopathy is probably the cause. But just in case, do have them investigate for a UTI.

Encephalopathy is the end stage of liver failure. I'm sorry. At least it doesn't seem to be painful.

Just as an idea--look at the color of your LO's eyes. The whites of the eyes will begin to turn shades of yellow deepening to orange as the disease progresses.

Stage 4 of liver cirrhosis is a life threatening condition. The liver is almost completely unable to clean the toxins of the body. When poisonous substances accumulate and in the brain, they cause neuro-cognitive symptoms. It's called Hepatic Encephalopathy. 4 stage cirrhosis patients with encephalopathy, are close to dying.

Booms, I would call the doctor. This might be normal, it might be a UTI, it could be very unusual. Only the treating doctor can really tell.

More information may help. This site is support for caregivers of the elderly many whom have dementia. It is very expected and anticipated in the case of dementia to wake and not know of remember anything. A very common symptom.

There is a dementia associated with alcohol abuse, so yes in that case it would be expected.

There is nothing normal about dementia. Each person is different.