Paralyzed Diaphragm

Mayo has a team that treats diaphragm disorders. I am going to look into that. Both of my diaphragms are affected. I had an atrial ablation. I have a pacemaker.
I’m basically in good health but my quality of life is affected.

I had an overactive thyroid due to a nodule no cancer. I was on medication but Endocrinologist suggested the surgery so not to be on meds so long . After surgery I was slightly under active so now on low dose Synthroid!

Does anyone suspect a connection between paralyzed diaphragm and COVID or the COVID vaccine? I am pro-vaccine, but the timing of my PD onset, three years ago is suspicious.
When I got a booster vaccine about a year ago, she asked, as a standard question, whether I had any problems with my diaphragm. I said, yes, I have PD. She said, well it’s probably OK and gave me the shot. I am functioning well with my PD, except I can’t swim anymore— it used to be a big part of my life. Thanks

I have been struggling with the same issue with swimming .. Last summer in the beginning I would not make it far with out stopping for air …but continued on and it got better . This year is even more challenging and my Diaphram on the left is not functioning correctly . Does your rib cage stand up straight when you lay down ? I have a referral to a Thorasic Surgeon . I don’t know what I am doing as far as a plan .

A paralyzed diaphragm is a pretty rare disorder that most doctors, including pulmonologists, don't know much about. It's probably a better option to have a consult with a thoracic surgeon, since they do plication surgery, which might be your only treatment option. I'm 77 and extremely lucky because my symptoms being caused by my left paralyzed diaphragm are mild and manageable. Thus, I've decided not to have surgery, even though two thoracic surgeons recommended it. I hope you can find a thoracic surgeon who has had experience with doing them. Best wishes!

I'm not an anti vaccination activist OR a conspiracy theorist, but I think both COVID and the COVID vaccination have caused diaphragm paralysis in some people. Several of the 1,400 members on the facebook page for people with paralyzed diaphragms think this is what caused their paralyzed diaphragms. In addition the most prominent doctor in the world dealing with paralyzed diaphragms posted that he has treated a handful of patients where both sides of their diaphragms had become paralyzed due to COVID and/or the vaccine. Fortunately, all of them recovered over time.

Thanks for this. Nice to hear that people are recovering.

The phrenic nerve can heal itself slowly, which is why most doctors recommend waiting a year or two after the onset of a paralyzed hemidiaphragm before having plication surgery to give it time and see if it will. Other vaccinations and diseases like Parsonage Turner Syndrome also cause paralyzed diaphragms, so COVID and the COVID vaccine aren't the only culprits.

Has anyone seen successful results from plication surgery to treat paralyzed or partial paralyzed diaphragm? My Doctor says he’s never seen a successful case and won’t recommend it.

If your doctor's blanket statement is that plication surgeries don't work and improve people's lives, he or she is sadly mistaken. Shortly after mine was diagnosed, I joined a facebook page for people with paralyzed diaphragms; and many of them have had successful plication surgeries that restored their lives. If you are interested in pursuing having it done, I would encourage you to find a thoracic surgeon who has done a lot of them to evaluate your particular situation. Good luck!