paralysis of phrenic nerve [left] no known cause

[eliz170]

onset pain 3-4 days had x-ray n.a.d. had biopsy ruled out tb and cancer still have shortage of breath and paralysed phrenic nerve with query cause  cousin has ms also cousin had motor neuron disease  any relevance?


This discussion is related to Phrenic Nerve suddenly is paralyzed no trauma.

[Sunny602]

I know that infections, even viral ones can cause phrenic nerve paralysis by means of irritating the nerve.....Maybe that is what your pain was, some sort of viral infection that led to this. I am not sure about the motor neuron or MS connection, I just know that there are many causes for a paralyzed diaphragm.
Sunny

[Reirei]

I, too, was diagnosed with a paralyzed diaphram in January.  Mine was after surgery of the gall bladder, yet the doctors can't explain how the 2 can be possibly related.  All they can tell me is that it should get better by itself.  Here it is 3 months later and I still have issues with shortness of breath, especially on rainy days when the humidity is very high and I don't get a restful sleep (which is most all the time).  I am dreading the thought of summer.  No known treatment can be prescribed per MD, but he has done a sleep study and I desaturate to 77% which is severely low.  Another sleep study with a BIPAP machine still has to be done to see if this improves the oxygen levels when I sleep.

For now, it's a wait and see.  I have my next MD appointment 4/11.  Friday will be the first time I am looking forward to a rainy day so the doctors can see me on a bad day.  
I will keep you posted.

For now, I am unable to work because of my profession and need for activity level on the job.  Coincidentally, I'm a health care professional (OT) and have a hard enough taking care of my own bathing and dressing issues.  

Does any of this sound familiar or are you noticing any other symptoms???

Reirei

[Sunny602]

Hello Reirei...I pray that it does get better for you....something must have happened during surgery that must have nicked that nerve. I am a veteran of BiPAP, I was on it for nearly two years prior to being vented full time so if you have questions just give a holler. I hope that the BiPAP does the trick for you, I know that it helped my O2 levels during sleep and made me feel more rested and not so exhausted because it gave my overworked accessory muscles a break. I forgot if it was just one side or both sided paralysis with you...if it is one sided, there are options if the paralysis continues. It is called plication where a surgeon tacks down the affected side so that it doesn't move up into the chest cavity when you take a breath. In normal breathing, the diaphragm goes downward with each breath...with paralysis, the affected side goes upward. This often causes shortness of breath because there is less lung volume because of the upward shift of the diaphragm...Something worth talking to your doc about. I know that there are other options out there too...I think another is nerve grafting.
I will keep you in my thoughts as well...Sunny

[Reirei]

Thank you, Sunny!!!  For me, it's just my right side that effected.  I also think something happened during surgery, but everyone is saying that's impossible for the nerve to be nicked with gall bladder surgery.  The anatomy is in different sections.  All I know I was perfectly fine the day before surgery.  In fact, I walked almost 10,000 steps that day because I wear a pedometer with my job.  The day after surgery, I haven't been able to walk 20 steps.  At first, I thought it was just because I had surgery, but when it didn't get better the doctors first thought was embolism.  However, I have been cleared of everything except this diaphram paralysis/weakness.  Now, I can't take 20 steps without being out of breath.

It seems you also have had your share of medical issues and know much first hand information which is valuable.  Thanks for being a help.  I will also keep you in my thoughts and prayers and let you know how the MD appt goes on Friday.

Reirei

[EmJa]

Hi,
I just read your posts and was wondering how you are doing. Have you gotten any relief from the paralyzed diaphragm or have you had any treatment or surgery to correct it?   My husband suddenly got short of breath about 2 months ago and after many tests it was determined that he has a paralyzed diaphragm.  He did not have surgery.  It just came on him suddenly.  We have not gotten any hopeful responses from the doctors and was wondering if you have found a solution.  I saw that someone suggested a bi-pap machine.  My husband was on one of those 5 years ago for sleep apnea but then had surgery for the sleep apnea and didn't need it anymore.  Iam hoping that someone out there has had either surgery to repair the diaphragm or if they got function back.  

[Reirei]

Hi,
Thanks for your post.  To date and over one year later, I have not had surgery.  I continue on oxygen 2L and the bipap machine.  The diaphragm continues to be paralyzed.  I continue to seek an answer as to what happened but no doctors are willing to go on record as to the why.  I have learned that infection (maybe of my gallbladder) can play a big role.  The doctors now focus on me to lose weight and even consider the gastric bypass or lapband surgery.  I am scared to even consider another abdominal surgery.  I hope your husband is fairing well and adjusting to this condition.

Reirei

[patty421]

my husband has a right paralyzed hemidiaphram that started 11 years ago we think it started with an infection, he used to live off a cattle farm in a house he was renting, he got a really high fever 105 which seems pretty normal for him and passed out in the bathroom floor, we went to several doctors including the taubman center in ann arbor, mi they called it idiotopatic medicine now here we are 11 years later and hes started coughing up blood has shortness of breath pains in his back around his lung area we really think this is moving to his left lung.  If anyone has any comment or suggestion that would be great thanks.

[Sunny602]

He should see his doctor...he could easily have a bacterial infection in his lungs. With his diaphragmatic issues, he is prone to infections on the affected side. That is what my pulmo pretty much told me because I could not fully expand my lungs on my own.
I wish I could be of more help, I pray that his nerve remains intact on the other side.
Sunny