paralyzed diaphragm

[markte]

I recently found out that my right diaphragm is patalyzed. The lung specialists that I went to couldn't tell me what happen to cause this.  I have had mayor back problems since January of this year . I have had 5 steriod injections in my spine, 2 of those in my neck. Could this cause this problem and do you think it will heal on its on ?  My back doctor ask if they had mention stimulating the nerve to see if that would work.  Are you familiiar with this?


This discussion is related to paralyzed diaphragm.

[markte]

Thanks Sunny,
Yes the did a PFT on me. I've been told that stimulating the nerve might make the dighragm work again .

Mark

[Sunny602]

The way to tell if the nerves are intact is a test called an EMG where they test nerve conduction and muscle function. It involves electrodes and small currents along with needles. It looks more barbaric than it really is but it can tell the doctor crucial information such as whether your phrenic nerve (the nerve that supplies your diaphragm) is functioning. The way they did it with me (I have bilateral diaphragmatic issues, muscular in nature, not nerve related) is that they stimulated the nerve somewhere near my neck. It felt like I was having hiccups....
Did your lung doc by any chance do PFT's (lung function tests)? They should do them sitting up and lying down to see if there are any changes in your values. They aren't usually affected too much with unilateral involvement, but there are some out there that do have shortness of breath, especially when lying down or bending over.
Try to sleep with your head elevated, lying flat makes the breathing worse for me. Keeping your head up will help you draw breaths in.
If you have anymore questions, give a holler! Sunny

[markte]

Thanks,
I am having shortness of breath and my voice is changing, sounds like i have a cold,
I went to the emeregency room due to shortness of breath and a ct showed the problem.
How do they know if  the nerve is still in contact?

[Sunny602]

As far as causes, there are many from what was described to me by my doc years ago. Viruses, injury after chest surgery, etc...are some reasons why paralysis could occur. Do you have any shortness of breath or any other symptoms with this? If not, then the docs would probably not try anything invasive, at least that is my thought. Most people with unilateral paralysis (one sided paralysis) don't have symptoms the finding is usually incidental after a xray of the chest is done. But if you do have symptoms, there are things that can be done such as plication (essentially anchoring the affected side so that it doesn't move upwards with breathing). Not sure about pacing, which you are referring to as far as stimulation. I am not positive, but they don't do this unless the nerve is intact.
I am not a doc, just a retired RN.....the best source would be your doc.
I hope this helps...Sunny