paralyzed diaphragm

Not sure if anyone can help me with additional information. I was diagnosed with a paralyzed diaphragm (right side) in May of this year. Since early February I had sinus infection after sinus infection which was treated with antibiotics. Each time I get a sinus infection I get a terrible dry cough that lingers for many weeks. This time when I went back to my dr she took a chest exray. She didn't think I had pneumonia, but just wanted to rule it out. That was when she noticed the right side of my diaphragm was elevated. She sent me to a pulmonary specialist and after doing a few breathing tests he sent me the same day for a sniff test. That confirmed my paralysis. He then sent me for a CT scan to see if that showed anything. It didn't, so he told me to come back in a year since the nerve could take up to a year to heal itself, if that happens. We have no idea when my diaphragm was paralyzed. That is why he's waiting a year.  Does any of this sound right. So many people are telling me not to wait a whole year to have it checked again. I spoke to my dr and she said if I want to come back to her in 6 months she would take another chest exray to see if there was any change. I really didn't have any other symptons, but since I've done a little research on a paralyzed diaphragms, seems like I'm noticing shortness of breath more often. I am overweight, not what you'd consider obese, but do not have much energy the way it is. I also don't seem to have a problem sleeping on my back. I do seem to toss and turn a lot during the night though and seem to be tired a lot.

Just thought I'd see if anyone heard of this before or had similar experiences with paralyzed diaphragm. The pulmonary specialist did tell me when I come back in a year if it is still paralyzed we could look into to options to correct it...surgically, I think.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

ROSS:  Did you by chance go to The Plastic Surgery Center - Michael Kaufman, M.D. in Shrewsbury, New Jersey?  My husband and I will be traveling there for the same type of procedure on his right phrenic nerve on 10/31/2011.  Can you tell me if you had the Diaphragm EMG performed prior to the surgery?  Please tell us if you had any bad experiences with any of the facilities they referred you to if this was in fact the place that treated you. 

Hi,

Yes I did have my diaphragm repaired by Dr. Kaufman. Prior to the surgeryIi was refered to Dr Cole whom did  nerve study to see if I was a candidate. To date I am doing well. My diaphragm does function but to date not a complete recovery .I had to over come of 5 years of atrophy and was not considered the best candidate. That being said I would do this again w/o any hesitation. I was unable to sleep on my back or sleep for any period oftime w/o the use of a c-pap. I could not tie my shoes becasue it required bending over to do so. To day I sleep w/o my c-pap, tie my own shoes and sleep flat on my back.

In my case the elevation was sever. my diaphragm was in my chest cavity thus compacting ll my organs which left me with many other problems. To keep this short i no longer have those problems either. I am more active than I had been becasue I coud not run more that 50 ft w/o being out of breath. Today I run in 5k's and have slowly increase my times. (right now 36 min is my best) When I started i was in the 50+ min time. Keep In mind /i used to be a runner capable of times in the low 20's so I;m happy yo be working back  to better health. I also repelled 17 stories into an abandoned mine shaft. i have taken day trips in some med difficult terrain. What else can I tell you? I am excited you found Dr. Kaufman. Just out of curiosity how did you find him?

In closing can I offer some advice for New Jersy. If our not from there the driving is crazy. If ou are flying and have an flexible schedule you might try Priceline for air fare and hotels. The week I had my surgery I was able to stay at a very nice Sheridan Inn for $50.00 a night. I was originally goingto drive from Michigan but a snow storm moved into Pennsylvania so I booked a flight 10 hours before and was able to get that for $200.00 round trip. I do not recomend waiting that close though. I also noticed Southwest is now flying to Newark to. Do not rent a cr at the airport. Fees are outragious. Enterpise will pick you up at the lower level and take you to there lot. They were the best. I booked a car through hot wire and the rental company stiffed me and said "oh well". Enterprise you can bib on also on Priceline.

I hope i answered all your questions and probably told you more than you wanted to know.

Good luck,

Ross

I had since found out that there is nothing that can be done with my diaphragm.  Due that the nerves are damaged to the right side of my body from a accident many years ago.  The drs at Mayo were wonderful.   I wasnt able to get the answers I wanted but they did clear up alot of questions i had.  Until then life goes on , slow but it does go on.

God Bless each of you in your journey