@scottfreda: If you’re diagnosed with alcohol cirrhosis in January 2026, you can probably expect the symptoms by the following January but you’d have to talk to your doctor Fast and frequent breathing in late-stage cirrhosis is primarily caused by the buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites), which puts pressure on the lungs and makes deep breaths difficult. Additionally, a condition called hepatopulmonary syndrome, which involves abnormal changes in blood flow to the lungs, can also lead to shortness of breath.