Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Paralyzed diaphram
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Paralyzed diaphram
by dsgksg, Sep 21, 2006 12:00AM
I have a paralyzed diaphram due to phrenic nerve damage during open heart surgery. On the x-rays it shows that the right side is up or elevated and the left one which is paralzyed is down near the bottom of my chest. I have shortness of breath with exertion, bending over also cause it, and sleeping on my back is difficult. The pulmonologist who diagnosed it in the hospital says he thinks rehab will help. My question is how? I have went through cardic rehab and pulmonary would be about the same. Also is there any hope that the phrenic nerve will regenerate and start working or am I stuck with this for life. I am very discouraged
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Sep 27, 2006 12:00AM
, Sep 27, 2006 12:00AM
The amount of shortness of breath due to a paralyzed diaphragm varies greatly from one person to another. That is just the way it is. It is not a matter of will power. If your diaphragm has been paralyzed for more than a year, the likelihood of it working again is low.
When the phrenic nerve doesn’t begin to work on its own, a surgery called diaphragmatic plication may fix the diaphragm so that it works better. This can be done using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) that is less invasive. After this surgery people have had less shortness of breath and better pulmonary function tests. Talk with your doctors about this.
When the phrenic nerve doesn’t begin to work on its own, a surgery called diaphragmatic plication may fix the diaphragm so that it works better. This can be done using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) that is less invasive. After this surgery people have had less shortness of breath and better pulmonary function tests. Talk with your doctors about this.
After one year, with no improvement, I was admitted to surgery for diaphragmatic plication. Shortness of breath associated with exertion was so problematic that I did not view this procedure as elective surgery. I was in the hospital for two weeks. This was followed by four months of slow but progressive recovery.
Your condition may be self correcting. Only time will tell. But if not, surgical plication may be an option. The outcome will vary from person to person. In my case, I would describe the improvement associated with surgery to be only slightly better than my pre-surgery condition. Nevertheless, I do not regret my decision to have it done.