Phrenic nerve irritation
 

Hope you are all managing well and are as pain free as possible!!
Quick question....anyone in here ever had phrenic nerve involvement pre or post rib resection. I was very short of breath and could not lay flat as felt like I was suffocating, also causes me to cough and then voice goes hoarse after talking for awhile and so I just shut up ( yea friends are LOVIN it!!!hahahahhahahah)...continues to be ongoing to date March 15,2008.My surgery was Dec4th,2007.
Was told could take months to resolve if it ever does!

Take Care All!!!!
Linda

Yes, I also had surgery first week of December(full scalenectomy, no rib resection) and failed "puff" test post surgery. Was on oxygen for a few days but that was it. I do still get random "out of breath" with only slight exertion on a daily basis. Too much talking seem to also trigger it. I keep forgetting to mention it at checkups. I haven't felt suffocating, sorry to hear you're getting such extreme symptoms.
That phrenic nerve doesn't like to be even "breathed" upon....it takes quite awhile to recover when irritated.

Marabunta

Yep I had it after each of my scalene injections but I think it was more that the anathesia irritated it beause it did not take that long for it to recover. BUt keep it mind it was not surgery.

Do you take an anit-inflammatory. Perhaps it would help.

I forgot to mention(blame the Lyrica:()....As I understand it, phrenic nerve involvement, whether reported or not, is one of the top reasons surgeons want to wait at least 9-12 months between surgeries on each side. They want to make sure the phrenic is fully functional as it controls your diaphragm. While some of the other nerves in that area are easily identifiable because of their size(think pencil or larger), the phrenic is about the size of a pencil lead and much more sensitive to manipulation.

Marabunta

Area can be healing, from tube or inflamation, scarring
 

Pherenic nerve damage is immediate and very concerning. The symptoms seem to be another or coexisiting symptom too. THe pherneic nerve traveks to either side of the diaphgram and allows to expane and deflate the lungs. I am not sure about irratation, but damaged nerve is when you need Ox to breath from shortness of breath of the innability to inflate the lung. When I had a friend in NJ had surgery her side effect was a deep raspy voice, almost too hard to speak. She had scar matter post op wrap around the area, a clean up redo was done and did aleviate that symptom.

I would wonder about if you had a breathing tube and damage done from the anestisia? This I heard from other surgeries not a TOS surgery developing and it did take months to have the inflamation calm down.
Post op is not weeks, it is months and years. Not like having tonsils out, an arm break repaired, etc. The nerves for some are fine and others hyper signals, even in some spots permanant feel of novacain numbness.

Do a general search on post op anesethsia side effects and see if anything fits.
Sounds like resting does help you. Becareful chewing, chew everything theorughly, what if you did not feel a too large piece, or too large got stuck :eek:.
TOS is always a detective work, not a cookie cutter in the world for us,

I knew of one gal from old forum that had a TOS surgery, first time on this side she had a pherenic nerve paralyzed. Then after a redo on the opposite side the second pherenic nerve was paralyzed. She is on oxygen total for life support, has an aid dog, needs a motor chair to get around and every breath is a challange. w/c was trying to cut O2 for her and we had a campaign to pray and send letters to her representatives to help in the life needed treatment. She was a professional singer too. The surgeon, a top of the top considered surgeon.

Keep us updated,
dianne
http://www.bartleby.com/107/Images/large/image808.gif

Some of your symptoms remind me of when I had the pleural effusion (fluid building up in the space between the lung sack and the chest wall). Pain on lying down, unable to take a breath... have you been checked for this? I think an x-ray is all it takes to rule this out.

Perhaps the pherenic nerve is what is being irritated when I have breathing difficulties? Like someone sitting on my chest, dizzy, weak... it very scary!

I hope things will resolve for you soon Linda - but do have the lungs double-checked, OK hun?

:hug:

Thanks a lot guys for the info!!! I may be off to see a respirologist in the future but will give it some time first.I am so sick of doctors!!! as I am sure all of you are too!!!;-))
One doc thought might be due to the intubation tube due to surgery.Anyway....wow...thanks for the help and advice.
Have a great Easter guys!!!!
Linda

Hey HX...nice to hear from you! It is nice to know it isnt all in my head or I have finally gone crazy!!haha...sorry to hear about your situation though.I too have that crushing feeling...not all the time ...but my diaphragms are equal at this point...rt side lags a bit on the breath but seems to be getting better.I was told any irritation takes months and months to repair as that old phrenic nerve does NOT like to be manipulated at all.
Anyway...I am giving it some more time to see if will get better before going for further tests.
You Take Care of You there chickee baby!
Linda....Ontaio Canada

phrenic nerve irritation
 

Hi
You mentioned a friend of yours had a "redo" of a surgery and it took care of the issue. Can you please provide some information on it as I suffer from dyspnea, inablity to yawn, and fatigue. Had neck surgery a few years ago and have asked if it could be from the scar tissue. To wit, I have been told No and am still suffering.
I am grateful for any help as it has gotten unbearable.

Kim

Hi,
I presently have a nonfunctioning Left Diaphram due to a lack of transmission thru the Phrenic Nerve. This happened at the same time I had a window cut in my Pericardiam that surrounds the heart. I believe that my Phrenic Nerve was cut in half or cut enough to stop its functioning. I have had multiple EMG's done on my left Phrenic Nerve that shows no transmission or continuity in that nerve. It has been 14 months since this procedure was done and if it was an inflamation of the nerve it would have subsided with all the Steriods and anti inflamatories I have been on... Has your diaphram started functioning again? I need to find out if there is any way that the medical community can find out for sure whether the Phrenic Nerve was cut or just tramautized beyond belief? I have been told that if functioning hasn't returned with in a year you can pretty much forget about that Diaphram ever functioning again? And before I go under the knife again to have a Placation done I want to make sure that I have exhausted any chance of that nerve functioning again. In case you don't know a Placation is not reversible they sew the diaphram in its lowest position so your Lung can expand the most because over a period of time the Diaphram naturally starts rising.
David G

Hi,
I believe what you meant was that you had a "sniff test". I also am presently suffering from Phrenic Nerve Damage. It has been over a year since surgery in that area and I believe the surgeon cut it in half or enough to stop its functioning. Has your Phrenic nerve function returned yet?
David G

Yes, it was a "sniff test".

My loss of left diaphrahm function is still as random as stated above. With everything else I have it is a relatively minor annoyance. But it will be keeping me from getting right side surgery until it stabilizes.

I'm 6 months post-op and generally healing very slowly. But there is progress every month and the healing appears to be speeding up now. I cannot objectively say if it is better, I do appear to be able to handle talking for longer periods of time than I could 3 months ago.

I'm still having random episodes daily. Thankfully not to the point of needing oxygen. I'm wondering how much of it is just being out of shape from not even being able to walk more than 100yds at the most for the past 7 months without triggering C5 irritation in my left shoulder.

I've been doing my diaphragmatic breathing exercises and trying to correct my long-learned shallow breathing habit.

I live on a hillside so we've got lots of stairs in and around the house. Having a newborn to carry around and a 23mo to pick up doesn't seem to increase episodes too much. Sometimes the shortness of breath attacks are latent to activity by 5-10 minutes or more.

It doesn't help that its been smoky from the wildfires here and the air has been unhealthy for probably 20 of the last 24 days. So we've all been cooped up in the house with the central air circulating fan 24/7 and the portable HEPA air cleaner running on high. We've always had electrostatic filters in the HVAC as well as UV-C germicidal lights I installed near the A/C coil a few years ago.

BTW, the combination of electrostatic air filters(to replace the disposable ones), the UVC lights, running the fan as much as you can afford, and a Central Vacuum system(because it exhausts outside) is the perfect prescription to minimize having to dust your house more than 3-4 times a year. I'm not kidding. We may be down to 2-3x if I ever get around to justifying buying the barrier mattress/box spring covers.

The filters were about $50-60 each. (we needed 2 as we have 2 returns)
The UVC system was about $140 for a system that could handle a 3-5 ton system. It genetically alters the makeup of molds, viruses, etc so they can't reproduce. They recommend replacing the bulbs every year and that runs $50-60.

I installed the Central Vac myself with a mix/match system bought online from a few different sources for ~$600-700. We could have gotten by for about half of that but we got a top notch system. I spent about another $30 getting pipe lengths from a local supplier.

All the mattress/pillow stuff is going to run about $300-400 and I just can't justify that right now. My sinus/allergy issues haven't been too bad, but it looks like both kids will have chronic issues so would really like to head that off as much as possible.

We haven't been vacuuming as much as we should and the resultant dust mite buildup is quite noticable.

Phrenic Nerve Irritation
 

Hi, I realise that some of the posts are quite old, but all are relevant to my situation
Following a sternotomy to remove a tumour in my chest cavity in Feb 09, I suffered Phrenic nerve damage and a paralysed raised left diaphragm.
I suffer from breathing difficulties, have the feeling of a brick in chest, have the sensation of something blocking my throat, cant lie flat, constant pain and still taking pain relief etc all things that have been discussed by you guys.
One year on and Im told my diaphragm is 98% back in its position. But I am still suffering from all the same post op symptoms, my consultant and his team can offer me no explanation and say they dont know why I am continuing to have problems. Needless to say I was upset by their attitude and then I found your comments, Thankyou, Im not mad other people have or are experiencing similar things. I feel better for knowing I am not alone.
I dont know where to turn next as the medical team say there is no more they can do, except control the pain.
Any one had there situation resolved.
Thanks

phrenic nerve/ paralyzed diaphragm
 

Sorry to hear about you plight. I have been reading these stories on and off for the past 5 years. I had my diaphragm paralyzed after having surgery to correct a blood flow problem to my right arm (subclavian bypass) I tried everything exercise, medication etc. I went to the Mayo Clinic and we talked about diaphragm plication surgery last year. A family crisis caused me to leave during testing and return home. During that year I found a group of surgeons that do nerve reconstruction. They removed 35 cm of nerve from my right leg and transplanted it attaching one end to my phrenic nerve and the other to my diaphragm. The jury is still out as the nerve regenerates at approximately 1 mm per day. This means if I have a full recovery I will not no for 8 -14 months. What i can tell you is that I can now lay on my back again. I can bend over and tie my shoes w/o gasping for breath. I no longer have the feeling like I was forced to eat until the point of feeling sick even though I may have not eaten for more than 24 hrs at times. My case was extreme. My diaphragm was elevated into my chest cavity (same place that occupies your heart) If nothing else happens the changes that did have already made a difference in the way I feel. I know of no one else that performs this surgery as it took me 5 years of searching to find them. Can they help everyone! NO! They are selective on who they take after a battery of tests. If you are interested in this please feel free to email me or post a note to this sight.

David,
My diaphragm ended up in my chect cavity and I was msierable to say the least. I had a nerve transplant to reconect the phrenic nerve to the diaphragm. Is this going to be a success? To early to tell. The surgery has changed my life that I can now lay flat on my back and breath. I can tie my shoes w/o gasping for breath and I no longer feel like I was force fed to the point of being sick. So yes I feel like there was a victory even if nothing else happens. The time frame is 8-14 months to know if the nerve does its job becase it has to regrow. This happens at the rete of a mm / day. I was not a candidate for plication due to the severity of my condition. the Drs sent me to the Kessler institute for rehab in NJ for testing before they woould even talk to me. They want success so if they don't feel your a candidate they wont do a needless operation. The world is watching and they have plans to teach this technique in the future. If this is of interest I can give you more information. Ross

nice picture di marie
 

looking at where the phrenic nerve attaches, i think that one hurts me too. not to the same extent tho.

Please help - phrenic nerve damage - have questions
 

Please help....I had TOS surgery last year and am now 10 months post surgery. I suffered damage to my phrenic nerve, long thoracic nerve and intercostal nerves during the surgery. I had a "sniff test" and EMG that confirmed the nerve damage (incomplete long thoracic nerve pattern and no response from the phrenic nerve).

My scapula completely collapsed following the surgery and was winging (worse case my doctors and PT had ever seen). I felt like my chest was being crushed from the intercostal nerve damage. I also spent several months post surgery on oxygen (my O2 was only 78% at one point) but am now off it, as my chest muscles have kicked in to help me breathe. I still have extreme shortness of breathe with any kind of exertion (walking up stairs makes me wheeze so bad and my heart rate goes through the roof). I can no longer lead an active, normal life.

I have consulted with a leading clinic in the US and they said that I have to wait 2 yrs to see if the phrenic nerve will come back. I am devastated, I feel like an old woman and am only young!. 10 months post surgery and no signs of recovery with the phrenic nerve, although the long thoracic nerve has shown signs of repair and my scapula is winging less than initially.

I have several questions I would like help with, if anyone can answer them.

My doctors tell me that as the long thoracic nerve has shown signs of repair (less winging), but that it doesn't look good for the phrenic nerve as there is no evidence to suggest that it is coming back. However, they still agree I have to wait up to 2 yrs until I will know if the phrenic nerve was cut during surgery. They have referred me for cardio-pulmonary therapy for 6 months while I wait. I read that after one year post surgery if there is no response from the phrenic nerve, then the chances of it coming back are slim.

1) Does anyone know what the chances of the phrenic nerve coming back are after one year? I don't want to wait another year from now if I can maybe go to the Mayo Clinic and see if they could help me, if the chances are slim that it will come back after a year. Are there any papers or statistics on the length of recovery time for the phrenic nerve post TOS surgery?

2) Does anyone have any experience with the Mayo Clinic and nerve grafting surgery? Or experience with diaphragm plication?

3) My ob/gyn has told me that it would be too risky to become pregnant (again devastated about that - I am that age!). Has anyone become pregnant while having a phrenic nerve that is damaged?. Are there any high risk doctors (ob/gyn's) that I may turn too. Obviously getting well is my main priority but I do want a family at some point as well. The clock is ticking for me, this surgery could not have gone wrong at a worse time.

I dread waking up every morning to face another day of pain, inability to lead my life as I should be able to and constant doctors and PT appointments.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

I don't know if I fully understand your post, the dates, etc.

But I do encourage you either to do into the same doctor if you still trust his expertise, or, find a new pain mgt. doctor to find out what exactly is going on.

God bless.

I am going to NJ for the same surgery that you had. I would be interested in anything you could tell me about your experience. I particularly would like to know if I will be up to flying back home one week after the surgery. How do I find your email address? I didn't see it anywhere on this website. Thanks. BJ

Casey,
I'll send fredebassett a PM for you with a link back to this thread.

Nice
 

You always have the best pictures Di.

Linda,
I have been there and you are getting the standard answer from DR's that do not have any idea how to help you. There is a new proceedure! I was case #13 (lucky me) The dr's took the nerve from right right leg and transplanted it fron the phrenic nerve in my neck to my diaphragm. In a nustshell I can lie flat on my back. I no longer breath with the aid of a c-pap, I can bend over tie myshoes w/o thinking I might pass out from a lack of air. The recovery peroid is quite lengthy in term of a recovery (12-14 months) but I was able to go back to work in 30 days, but would recomend wating 8-10 weeks if possible. Let me know if you are still in need of more info -Ross

Sorry I missed this I was giving up hope that anyone was reading my replys. Good luck hope to hear from you soon. I was not allowed to give an email address becasue they say I have not have enough posts. I did fly back after 1 week and went back to work after 30 days but I don't recomed that short of peroid if you can get longer. I am doing pretty good but the next 7 months will tell the story. I did get immediate relief from a lot of symptoms. I no longer sleep with a c-pap. I can lie flat on my back, bend over to tie my shoes etc. Please post how this works out for you. I am curious who is doing you surgery as I believe there are only 2 teams that possibley do this and they are from the same practice. I will check back on this sight. Thanks Ross
(its late so excuse any spelling or gramar)

Hi Fred
 

Thanks so much for your reply. I have been watching for it every day. Glad to hear that you have had some immediate results and hope that you continue to improve.

Dr. Kaufman is going to do my surgery on the 3rd of September. I got started on overnight oxygen and it has really helped as my oxygen was 77. What was your level of pain during the first week and how long was it until you were reasonably free of pain.....or have you gotten that far yet? What month was your surgery?

Hope you see this post. Please let me know. BJ

Hi Casey. I' m glad I checked in last night. Dr. Kaufman and Cacavelli seem to be quite busy. Are you going to have a Nerve transplant, phrenic ot diaphragm , pacing or plication? Did you meet with Dr Cole for nerve mapping or did they set you up with testing in your home town. I get excited every time I hear someone has found the Dr. I have been writing to a lot of people but some of the posts are so old I'm sure that many people have given up!

To answer your question's about pain. the 1st day my wife said I kept saying the surgery was nothing and if I wasn’t hooked to a chest tube I could get up and do what ever I wanted. Well then they took me off the morphine drip the next day and reality set in. It was not the worst pain I've ever experienced but there was a good deal of pain that hey did a very good job of controlling. They would give me a shot and in 1-2 minutes I would be out for 6-8 hours but sleep does help you heal. Will your surgery be at St Peters University Hospital? Great surgical team and operating room but I’ve been to the Mayo clinic and that’s like a 5 star hotel competing with a 2 star. Don't get me wrong it was a good hospital but if you ever go to a place like Mayo and hopefully if you do it is to visit, there is know comparison.

My surgery ended up being more complicated than expected so i spent and extra day & 1/2 at the hospital. The rest was at the Sheraton Inn. If you have not got a hotel yet price line was great. Do the bid on an arear that is in the area. I pick 3& 4 star and bid low. I always end up under there suggested price. $50 / night at Sheraton you just don't know which hotel your going to get but by doing it by the star rating they have been great.

If you need to rent a car while there Enterprise was the best. They picked me up at the airport ,gave me a free upgrade and took me back to the air port.

I guess I've gotten off the subject. Pain was managed by the hospital and Dr. Kaufman gave me a prescription for vicadin which I do not like but it survey the purpose of pain control and allowed me to sleep. I did have a problem with swelling of my right leg after the nerve was removed. This was controlled by a compression stocking but it took about 3 week after the surgery to go back to normal. I still do have some pain as they removed a partial rib due to the placement of my diaphragm. it is more sensitive at times , but I expect that is dependant on how hard i am pushing myself. I have been working at bulding up some stamina again and periodically run a sled hill in the area with my dog. 5 months ago it would have been a challenge to walk up it. My surgery was march 5th.

Tell Dr. Kaufman that I said Hello. He is going to be wondering how people coming to see him know me (case #13) Good luck I hope to keep contact and follow your recovery.

**
Good luck Ross

Phrenic nerve surgery
 

Casey,

how did the surgery go??? I am looking into the possibility of having this same surgery done. any help or info from anyone would be most welcome...

Thanks!

Phrenic Nerve Damage
 

____________________________________________



Hello Ross,

The info you provided is really appreciated. I am also interested in the surgery you had done - for phrenic nerve damage during heart surgery. I am hoping that I can get your email address so I can contact you further. Here’s hoping Jo*mar will read this post and send you a PM as she did with Casey14. In the meantime, thank you for all the info you have already provided and I hope you are recovering quickly and completely.

Best,
rcnyc

_________________________________________________


Hello Casey,

I just found this website today and I am also interested in the surgery that you are having performed - for phrenic nerve damage during heart surgery. And, as I read that your surgery was scheduled to take place on September 3rd, I imagine you are just beginning your recovery. I do hope your surgery went just as you hoped it would and I’d like to wish you a healthy and even comfortable recovery right from the start. When you are feeling somewhat better, I’d surely like to know how your surgery went and how you are doing.

I am interested as Ross is in knowing if you had a Nerve Transplant or other type of surgery - and who did your surgery. I am hoping that I can get your email address so I can contact you further - but, of course, I won’t contact you ‘til you’re stronger – for now it’s, all and only, about your healthy recovery. I will look for your posts here and then I would like to contact you by email when you are feeling well enough for communication. Here’s hoping Jo*mar will read this post and send you a PM.

My thoughts are with you for a healthy, quick and complete recovery.

Best,
rcnyc

Hello Everyone
 

Hi,
I am looking for some resources or some advice. My sister in law who is 34 and has 5 children raging in ages from 16 all the way down to 2 had a shoulder injury about 4 years ago. And 2 years ago she underwent surgery to repair some of the damage. while in surgery, the surgeon severed her phrenic nerve. since then she has to be on oxygen 24/7, not only that she also went and had a fairly new procedure done to her called the hemidiaphremic pacser it is a machine that has wires sticking out of your body and it is supposed to help the diaphragm move. well it isn't working. so i have been doing some research on nerve transplant..Has anyone here had the procedure done and if so how are you now? My sister in law is always sick and this is no way to live life especially as young as she is any advice would be wonderful
Thanks have a great day and God Bless

Oh how terrible!

I'll make a copy of you post katielynn88 and place it on our New members forum - maybe someone there will have some info also.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum88.html

there might be help
 

Hello.
Sorry I have been away from the site lately. I strongly suggest that your sister talk with Dr Kaufmans office and see if they can offer some help. I had a nerve transplant and you may have seen some of my posts on here in the past. Several others I see have been to Dr Kaufman too and I hope you are doing well. I'm coming up on my 6 month anniversary since my surgery. The jury is still out but since my last post I did run 1/4 of a mile. Considering that I could only run about 50 ft prior to my surgery i only look for good things to come. You can find him on the web at the advanced reconstruction surgery website. Good luck and If you have any questions please post. There are many of us out there with some form of this problem and there is help for many if we can only find the right person to help.

help is out there
 

I'm continuing to find more and more of us out there. I'm glad you found us. The Dr. that did my surgery is Kaufman and he is located in NJ. You can find him under advanced reconstuction surgery. His assistant, Heather is very helpful and would probably be the 1st one you talk to. The Dr. actually took the time to call me and see if he felt I was a candidate. He wants success on these surgeries and is careful to select those he can help and not hurt. If I keep talking him up he might never be able to take a vacation. If you need a way to contact or can't find him let me know. It has changed my life and I look forward to it getting even better.


Hello Ross,

The info you provided is really appreciated. I am also interested in the surgery you had done - for phrenic nerve damage during heart surgery. I am hoping that I can get your email address so I can contact you further. Here’s hoping Jo*mar will read this post and send you a PM as she did with Casey14. In the meantime, thank you for all the info you have already provided and I hope you are recovering quickly and completely.

Best,
rcnyc[/QUOTE]

Katielynn,
I don't know if you have seen any of my posts but I do feel for your sister in law. I started 5 years ago looking for help and have crossed paths with many people that have problems with the phrenic nerve nad diaphragm. I had the nerve transplant surgery in March or this year and although I've made some great strides I am still waiting for the nerve to make its connection. This is a 10 -14 month process as the regrowth is very slow and as I've said to many of my friends it sucks to be 6'2'' tall when your waiting on a process like this.

The surgery has changed my life for the good. Although I may never have a complete recovery I can once again do the simple things that many take for granite like lay flat on my back w/o grasping fro air, bend over and tie my own shoes, sleep w/o the aid of a c pap machine walk up multiple flights of stairs w/o stopping for a rest because I'm winded. I played tag with my grand children and surprised the family when I was able to run around the way the remembered.

So don't give up hope! My surgen was Dr Mathew Kaufman and he is located in NJ. He is the only Dr. in my 5 years of searching that was able to help me. Hopefully he can helpher too! You can contact him on the web. They advertise on this site I beleive. They are called advanced reconstructive surgery. He called me and interviewed me over the phone before proceeding to the next step. If he does not believe he can help he will not waste you time.
Good luck - Ross

Phrenic Nerve and Paralyzed Diaphragm - Dr. Kaufman procedure
 

Hello, just joined the group. I have a paralyzed diaphragm and am on O2. We do not know why it is paralyzed as it came on gradually over a year with fatigue and shortness of breath. I got pneumonia and have been on O2 ever since. My GP couldnt figure it out so went to special pulmonay doc. Did Sniff test and heard everyone in the room go....Ahh-Haa. So I figured the found out what was wrong.....the diaphragm wasnt working.

Seems the Phrenic Nerve is somehow not working One lung looks to have never worked they thought and the other is only about 35% working. May have been born with the issue.

Have some minor scoliosis with front to back bending of spine. Likely the Phrenic Nerve coming through C3-5 is messed up due to that spine bending.

Going to see Dr. Kaufmann and Dr. Cole in NJ in January. Will do complete nerve conduction and velocity study to see if they are viable.

Have been told likely candidate for phrenic nerve pacing.

For those of you that have already been to Dr. Kaufman, could you post some info on the Hotels in the area...which one etc. Ive been talking with the Dr.'s charge nurse and she has given me a couple of hotel names.

Also, I may have some folks fly up (Ill have to drive due to oxygen) - Are there any car services or vans to Hospital from the Newark airport...

Thanks, Ill be watching the thread.

Greetings. So glad you found Dr Kaufamn. He did my surgery in March and I am continuing to improve. Now as for the transportation and hotels. There are some nice hotels around the airport with transportation to and from the airport. If you want the best way to get around it's rent a car. Enterpise will take you to an off sight rental faciltiy that is about 1/2 the price of renting at the airport. I used price line for hotels and I stayed at the Seridan for $50/ night by bidding. If you do this you go to themap on priceline and choose the highest rated hotels.Bid low and they will guide you through the process. They have predetermined prices too. Use these as a guideline and then start bidding about 70% less than the posted online prices. I also stayed at a ery nice hotel right accross the street from the airport for $50 night. If you decide to rent a car a gps is a must in that town. Not sure if this has been helpful but it worked for me. I also did this for my flight and it worked out great too. However you must be prepaired to travel on there terms if you bid on a flight. you can pick you day, airport to depart and arrive at but not the flight.

Hey All,
Just found this site from talking to Ross. My story is have left side phrenic nerve damage for over year. Found out about month ago after many tests an to the point that my doctor said it maybe in my head. " Really" cant breath lying down, why cant I breath when I go tie shoe, my endurance very bad, not good when you are a fireman. They sent me home said live with it. I am 59 am ready to retire but not like this. In my research which only started in last few weeks as any one knows with this condition there is not many alternatives. Live with it or try very new procedures out there. Like what Ross did, or Bricko or Casey who fell off the end of world. Funny didnt hear from him after surgery if he even had it done. Bricko tell us more many people are waiting to hear. i am waiting for call from Dr Kaufaum to see if I qualify. He has only done this surgery 20 times I would say that is cutting edge. My GP thinks I should move a little slower, he dont have this problem. He says there is no documentation out there by this Doctor. Which I agree there should be some thing out by now about this procedure written by him. So confused here, If any other person had this done let talk. Thanks Nick

Hi Nick,
I just wondered if part of the phernic damage is a result of your job. The hoses are so heavy as is most equipment you used. Scar matter could have become an issues as is a stretch injury to the nerves.
The phernic nerve comes through the scalenes in the neck, I know fire guys like to keep fit by lifting weights along with all the work lifting.

This sounds like something work related. I would find someone able to recreate the symptoms to narrow down the cause.
TOS is a group of symptoms not one injury or diagx to cover all, but many individualized complex issues.

The chest wall against the ribs,, especially if you have a narrow opening between the first rib and collar bone, if there is muscle build up of the neck, a fall or injury to stretch the arm, much like zingers from football when the arm is caught and pulled back.

The inability to get a good breath also may be from the years of smoke and fumes. They damage the lungs and then when a contributing factor as the phernic nerve not getting the diaphragm going good can contribute.

Just throwing some other thoughts out there, But I would not accept one label on a complex issue/injury.

Welcome to the site there are many knowledgeable friends here with many different ways they have TOS or phernic nerve damage.
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