A few questions about cirrhosis and outcomes.

My friend (32 )has alcohol cirrhosis .  jaundice (which went down a little), mal-nutrition, low albium and 2.6 INR. Ascites (ab and leg area) which was tapped once and now on low water pills. Doctors believe she can recover and hopefully will not need a transplant.  (Even though she was never a daily drinker, this did happen and she has since not had a drink since told)
1. From what I read people with ascites end up needing a transplant.. if not now. In the future (even with proper diet and no alcohol) . Is this true? Will ascites have a chance to stop even with low albium?
2. Can someone with this current condition get “normal” and live a full life?
3. Last , god forbid a transplant is needed, how long people normally live after transplant? 5 ? 10 year? 40 years?
Thank you doctors.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

patients can have dramatic improvement in liver dysfunction with ongoing and complete sobriety.  i have seen dozens of pts avoid liver transplantation in this fashion. patients can lead a normal life after transplantation.  there are many patients in our program who are alive since their transplant of 1989

[gilmane]

Until you receive an answer from Dr. Shiano, you can find a fairly complete write-up on cirrhosis at: http://www.medicinenet.com/cirrhosis/article.htm.  It discusses:  What is cirrhosis?, Why does cirrhosis cause problems?, What are the signs and symptoms of cirrhosis? , What are the common causes of cirrhosis?, How is cirrhosis diagnosed and evaluated? , How is cirrhosis treated? What is new and in the future for cirrhosis? Cirrhosis at a Glance, Patient Discussions: Cirrhosis of the Liver - Symptoms at Onset of Disease.
It contains a long section on alcoholic cirrhosis, and discusses all complications and treatments including ascites .
It is impossible to give a lifespan with a transplant since it depends on many factors unique to the recipient but a patient has a higher survival rate when compliant with medication and follow-up care.  However there are general numbers frequently used for one and five year life expectancy of 85-90% for one year and 75-80% at five years.  I am currently more than 10 years post transplant and know people even longer who are living normal lives.