diaphram paralysis

[kgdug]

During open chest surgery my phrenic nerve was cut (left diaphram) , and this was 20 years ago when I was 28 years old.  I was told I would adapt but nothing could be done to correct it now.  Of course, all these years I have adapted in ways, but it has always been harder to climb stairs, carry heavy object, dance for a long time,work outs at pushed but never exceed what I use to do.  Five years ago, I my mitral valve basically quit working so I had to have open heart surgery to place a mechanical heart valve in (thats another story in itself which almost killed me and I suffer to this date from the hardship of that surgery.  What is worse is in the five years since the heart surgery, I have increased shortness of breath, MAJOR fatigue/weakness espicallly in my legs and arms.  It feels like someone just drained my body of all my blood and I can't do anything.  I now live in Virginia and have found the most outstanding cadiologist ( he also has a wonderful humor, hard to fine).  On my first visit he asked if anyone had told me about the phrenic nerve repair/lung repair, surgery.  I had never had one of my heart doctors tell me of this.  My heart is doing fine and he feels its lack of the lung working. My husband and I are going to UVA Medical Hospital in Charlottesville VA. to meet with the surgeon who has improved this surgery and has done wonders with other patients.  I also sleep with oxygen at night to help o2 my saturation in my body through the night.  I do want to wear the C-PAP on my nose, at least for now.  Does anyone know more about this surgery?  Had it done?  Is it safe? Does your lung really inflat again?  It would be a wish come true for me if this does work, but I do not want to go through major surgery since my heart surgery was so horrible on me.  I guess I scared too.  Anyone out there to give advice?????  Thanks for reading this.
kgdug-I


This discussion is related to Bilateral Diaphragm Paralysis without trauma or surgery.

[kgdug]

I wanted to thank you for taking time to read and comment on my post.  I figured it was a pretty new treatment to do on the diaphragm but just trying to figure out if its worth having done if it will take away my shortness of breath when I try to do more things.  If not, I figured maybe I shouldn't even try it.  But I go this Tuesday for the consult with the surgeon who has improved this surgery.  Will see what he has to say.  

Thanks again for your expert advice, I truly appreciate it.

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[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hello,

Thank you for your question. At present, surgery for phrenic nerve damage is the only treatment known to refurbish it. This may provide symptomatic relief. However few innovations are going on to pace phrenic nerve to sense breathing signals through diaphragm. Treatment like grafting intercostal nerve at place of phrenic nerve is still under research.

Hope this helps.