My experience of having a paralyzed diaphragm

[pennylane222]

Hi everyone,
Several years ago I had a surgery to remove a tumour in my chest. Somehow, it was wrapped up with the phrenic nerve, so now I have a paralyzed diaphragm on one side. In x-rays, it shows up as sitting up higher than the other side. I noticed a lot of people posting in these forums had a lot of difficulties and tough stories; so I thought I would share my more hopeful story?
After I had surgery, I had enormous shortness of breath for some time, but I went early on to see a physio and started doing breathing exercises. I also went back to university, and started walking and doing gentle yoga classes. Two years on, I can jog up to 3 miles without stopping and hope to build up to doing 5-6 miles eventually. I like running very much and it makes my lungs feel stronger. From what I have read about this issue, it seems as if there is little hope that the right side of my diaphragm will ever work again; however I believe that it is possible (in some circumstances obviously) to build up your lung function through deep breathing and exercise. Maybe only half of my diaphragm is working, but perhaps with practice it is possible to get your lungs to inflate effectively despite the bad diaphragm.
I still get muscle pain in my chest, occasional pain on inhalation, and used to (haven't in a while) get more severe pains in my chest and upper abdomen. Two years on though, the pain I get is occasional and not severe enought to warrant alarm. I don't feel like I have 100% of the lung function I had before the surgery, (I still get shortness of breath quite regularly) but I can take nice deep breaths now, and I feel very grateful for the ease of breath I have now.
Good luck to everyone else out there!


This discussion is related to Paralyzed Diaphragm.

[Sunny602]

I think that it is great that you have built yourself up stamina wise..I know it takes time, but it is so worth it! I have bilateral weakness/paralysis of my diaphragm so my symptoms are such that I require a vent to breathe but on a good note, I have weaned myself to the point where I can come off of the vent comfortably for a hour each day. It took 3 years and alot of patience but at least it is going the right way. One thing for sure, I have a deeper respect for the complexity of our bodies...of just how much each system is so reliant on others.
I continue to work hard at staying off of the vent for longer and longer periods, I have trained my accessories to take over the duties of my failed diaphragm. But, they aren't meant to sustain breathing for long periods of time and do fatique easily.
I wish you continued success..one day at a time, right?
Sunny :)