Bilateral Phrenic Nerve Palsy

[TIGERS]

My name is Emily, I live in Australia and I am 69 years old.

In 2001 I had a fall and damaged my left shoulder.  In April of that year I had an operation to repair my Rotator Cuff.  7 weeks after the operation I felt that I was weak whenever I started to cook or do any other housework, I then realised that I was feeling breathless and not weak.  On visiting my Doctor, he discovered that I had Phrenic Nerve Palsy in my left lung.  After having x-rays and scans it was revealed that my lungs were in fact very healthy.  I have never been a smoker, nor had any lung trouble prior to this.  I was told that the damaged nerve will grow again.  

Early 2002 I had a slight heart attack, I wonder if there could be any connection between the heart attack and the Phrenic Nerve Palsy?  I am looking for information on how this could happen to me.  It is now 18 months since the operation and it has been suggested that I have an operation in order to get the lung started.  I feel that rather than my lung getting better I have compensated by slowing down.

If any body has had this problem or something similar, I would appreciate their thoughts on my problem.  

Yours sincerely

Emily

[National Jewish]

The majority of individuals who have phrenic nerve paralysis after surgery eventually recover function.  It may take months to years to experience full recovery.  I am aware of this problem following heart surgery.  I am unaware of this problem following shoulder surgery but the two events certainly seem to be related.  Phrenic nerve paralysis has been seen in otherwise completely healthy individuals and the cause is not known.  Finally, the nerve may have been injured when you fell and damaged your left shoulder.

After heart surgery 64 people had phrenic nerve dysfunction.  Follow-up was completed by 49 of these people.  Spontaneous full recovery occurred for 36 of these people.  This shows that there is a good chance that you will eventually recover function.  There is good evidence that surgery, called diaphragmatic plication, can be helpful.

I believe that the phrenic nerve problem and the mild heart attack are unrelated.

[anairhoads]

Emily,

I am sorry to hear you had a rough few months. It must have taken you by surprise to have all of this happen at such a young age and being a non-smoker.

We typically associate breathlessness with lung problems, such as asthma. But there is a clear connection to congestive heart failure, heart attack and so on with shortness of breath.

I would suggest seeing a cardiologist for tests since you have ruled out unhealthy lungs.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Best,

Anai Rhoads