Ten months ago I had a Thoracotomy to remove an obstruction in my left lung which was found to be a calcified blood clot. My present condition is I have a damaged left phrenic nerve due to the surgery. My diaphram is working at 20% and my lung capacity is 40%. I was an active person on and off the job, and would like to know how long it takes for the nerve to rejuvenate and what are the chances of this happening.

Hi! I too have had damage to my left phrenic nerve due to a lung infection in September. I have gone to a nuerologist and my damage was a 1+ on a scale of 1 to 4 with 4 being the worst. I get very short of breath when I exert myself. I am currently in speech therapy to strengthen the diaphragm muscle and retrain it to do what it is supposed to do. You might want to see a larangologist about this - that is who I saw and he was able to help. As far as healing the damaged nerve is concerned, it depends on a lot of things. How badly was it injured for one - my doctor said nerves can take up to 2 years to heal. Good luck!

Sk8tr

I do not wish to rain on your enthusiasm but I sustained damage to my left phrenic nerve in April 1994 which has given me an elevated and paralized diaphragm with a partially collapsed left lung from CABS. I know nerves regrow but after all this time I see no difference. To top it off, I was diagnosed with COPD in 1999 although I quit smoking in 1981. I am on supplemental oxygen essentially 24 hours a day. I suspect your condition will improve quickly. Do not dispair. You will have no load greater than you can bear.

I always try to keep a positive outlook on my condition, but as time goes on I'm starting to realize that I'm going to have to change or adjust the way that I live. It's nice to hear from others who unfortunately have gone through the same thing, and are expierencing the same pain. I haven't given up yet and won't for a long time. I was taught that hard work and determination will pay off. I'm still young at 44 years old, and if I have to alter my lifestyle then I will do so. Thanks for your imput, I wish you good health.

I had a cardiac ablation procedure performed for an arythmia about a month ago. It was suppose to be a relatively low risk and fast recovery procedure. However, since then I've constantly felt difficulty breathing, shortness of breath upon light exertion, and pain in upper left chest and arm. I did some research and found out that phrenic nerve damage could be a risk to what I had done.

For those of you with diagnosed phrenic nerve damage, could you describe some day-to-day symptoms, test, ect.

Thanks very much,

Tina