paralyzed diapragm

[mars994]

After my mother was admitted into the hospital with pnemonia we recently found that my mother (who is in her early 60's) has acute pulmonary hypertension...due in part to the fact that she has a paralyzed diaphram, asthma and is overweight.  She has had to be on strict medication for asthma for about 35 years and has been overwieght for the same amount of time.  The asthma and weight can be controlled but the paralyzed diaphram is what is scary as no one in the family has ever heard of one before and there seems for be very little info one it...they think that it has been paralyzed for some years but are unsure and it sounds like it has shifted and shrunk her lung, I have tried to do some research  but come up with very little...very frustrating.

I recently heard from a customer, who is a nurse, that acupuncture may help to stimulate the nerve.  I was wondering if there is any research or evidence to prove this? I am desprate for more information on how to help her get better.  Any information or recources about possible treatments would be helpful really.

Also she lives in salt lake city which is a valley that traps in the pollution of  4 refineries and several strip miming operations in the surrounding 20 miles....not the best of environments, I am worried that this is what is constantly triggering her asthma and was wondering what can be done in the house to "control the envirionment"?

Many thanks and awaiting any info
Mars M-Low

[Sunny602]

I have a weakened diaphragm as well, on both sides. Your mom sounds like she is affected on one side. The thing is, many times docs can't find a reason as to why this happens. Has this affected how she breathes (besides the asthma symptoms) such as shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping flat (I need many pillows, even now), problems with breathing bending over or being in a pool that comes up under her breasts? If she is having many problems from the paralyzed diaphragm, there are a few options. One, surgeons can tack down the affected side, preventing it from migrating up into the chest cavity allowing her lung to expand better. This is called plication of the diaphragm.
Another thing is nerve grafting ,but from what I have read, it has to be done within a short period after the paralysis (I may be wrong on that one)
If she is having problems during sleep, a machine called a BiPAP (much like CPAP that those with sleep apnea use to keep their airways open) can take over much of the work of breathing. I benefited from BiPAP for quite some time before I was placed on a vent (I have bilateral severe weakness, unilateral paralysis such as what your mom is experiencing typically does not require such major intervention to breathe)
What has her doctor's told her regarding options?
I hope this helps...remember, I am not a doctor...just someone who has lived with this for some time now.
Sunny

[mars994]

thanks for the info, my mom is currently on oxygen, and having just had her knee replace (silly time to have it done I know) is just reovering again.  I don't know if the doctors have offered plication as a possible remedy.  She is tired all the time and doctors are saying that her breathing problems are making it difficult for her to have a productive nights sleep.  Thank you for your suggestions, you have personal experience, so it is of great value.

Thanks, Mars

Still open for suggestions....

[maggiemag]

I hope your mother is seeing a pulmonologist, as she certainly needs a specialist now.  What are her pulmonary pressures?  She might need one that is actually a PH specialist.  Remember, PH is only a definite diagnosis if made by a right heart cath.  An echo is only an estimate and can be WAY off.  If her diaphragm problem is just one sided she  may not need any other treatment.  She  might also need a sleep specialist to see if she needs  a bipap like Sunny said.  It is interesting that it wasn't picked up before the surgery.  If it hasn't been long since she developed it, and I don't know how they would know she has had it a long time, then I understand that the diaphragm can get better many times esp. if it is unilateral.  I don't think acupuncture would do a thing, frankly.  She will be ok though.