Connect
← Return to Paralyzed Diaphragm
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@auvil2020. Thanks for letting me know this. My thoracic surgeon seemed to mock the idea of physical therapy helping with breathing...but I think it will help me. I can't seem to get it together to do all of the things I know I need to be doing, so I'm taking things in steps. I concentrated on losing weight first and have lost 30 pounds so far. I'll continue with that and am now moving to the next step, which is to move more. A couple of wonderful people on MayoConnect convinced me moving even in short intervals will really help over time. It really helps that spring is coming and I can get outside without fear of falling on the ice. I will add breathing exercises that I got on the internet to that. The worst part of this is having no stamina, so I know anything I can do to build up my stamina will help. I'm so looking forward to getting out and about this summer when Covid is less of a threat (hopefully) and want to be as strong as possible to visit the zoo, botanical garden, etc. and have the surgery if that's in the cards. Good luck! Nancy
Replies to "@auvil2020. Thanks for letting me know this. My thoracic surgeon seemed to mock the idea of..."
@nla4625- Morning Nancy. I don't know why doctors don't want to hear about certain things. Probably they can't control or understand it. After my lobectomy, I did lung rehab at my local hospital, and let me tell you it works! You lean great body positions to be the best for easier breathing and exercises to strengthen what your muscles need. Diet and emotional help are available at some places too.
I would encourage you to pursue this path. People with all sorts of problems attend. There were several who needed oxygen and walkers and many overweight people. It was wonderful to see them improve.
Have you researched this?
Connect
Nancy, my name is John and I also have a right paralyzed diaphragm. It's been about three years now. Like you I have done a ton of research on it and I am also 74. I kind of got the impression from my pulmonologists that he didn't know what to do because he never really explained things or had a course of action. He had me do three pulmonary function test over a about a year and a half and I passed them all. I have been a senior swimmer before this diaphragm problem and I have continued to swim. At first it was tough, could hardly do twenty five yards without stopping to rest and catch my breath. I am now up to doing two hundred yard swims without stopping with a short rest then starting again. I personally think that the swimming and taking in big gulps of air and exhaling has helped with expanding that lung. As far as walking or riding my bike I never had a problem with breathing only with swimming. Do you have a spirometer? I bought one when this first started and I use it every now and then to check my lung volume. You can usually get them at any drug store. You take care, we'll keep in touch