Does anyone have or know someone that has a Phrenic Nerve pacemaker? (the phrenic nerve controls your diaphragm, which is the muscle necessary to breathe)
My doc in Atlanta was telling me about it the other day. It doesn't sound like anything I would want. Just curious to see if there's anyone out there. Probably not, but thought I might as well try.

Angelie

 

 

Hi Angelie - I'm an "oldie" in the club but have not been on in quite a long while. Phrenic pacemakers are used in ventilator(respirator) dependent patients in some cases. Generally it is person who is paralyzed, ie, Christopher Reeve. Results are often quite mixed. Why did your doctor tell you about it? Is he thinking it would benefit you? I would love to hear more about you and your health problems. God bless.

Sharon (So CA)

 

No, but I've heard of vagus nerve pacemakers. They can possibly cure intractible depression, prevent syncope, and several other ailments.

 

First off, are you related to Uncle? Hence your name.......?
Good to meet ya oldie. It's good to be a youngin' and meet all these old folks here. Kind of like having lots of caring grannies out there. LOL!
Seriously, good to meet cha, and thanks for your comment, and concern.
All kidding aside. I've got health problems alright. I've sent you a private message explaining my situation, but only because you're so sweet soundin'.

For all the others out there that are just plain curious now......(in a nut-shell) an ablation I'm scheduled for next month very well might cause me to lose the ability to breath normally ever again. Always risks in everything.........darn it. Don't ya'll worry though, I've got existing health issues stemming from past failed ablations. I'll figure out a way to run regardless. Maybe afterwards, I'll even be able to break my 14 minute mile time.

 

Hello Angelie,

This is nothing but a guess on what you have been told. But have you been told that the ablation can paralyze the diaphragm and that will inhibit your ability to breath?

I know nothing about what ablations can or cannot do, except help in cases of arrhythmia, but I do know about paralyzed diaphragms, or at least one that paralyzed on one side. My diaphragm is paralyzed on the right side. It has not in any way affected my breathing. It does cause me to get very short of breath when I bend over for more than a few seconds. That happens because the diaphragm keeps the internal organs from pressing on the bottom of the and preventing it from functioning as it should. Other than the SOB I never notice the diaphragm paralysis.

And if I'm way off base on my guesses, please accept my apology and forget I tried to offer anything.

Good luck,

Smitty

 

Where the heck have you been?
My diaphragm was paralyzed on the right, but I'm SLOWLY improving. I know I am TONS better than I was the next day after my ablation. Lord have mercy, it felt like the doc went in and rearranged all of my organs, plus I couldn't breathe.
My diaphragm problems wax and wane. I've mainly been hit with recurring bouts of pleurisy, atelectasis, and pneumonia. I've just finished a round of respiratory therapy.
My phrenic nerve is in an unusual place. The doc wants to go back in, despite of what happened last time, to the same spot and do low radiofrequency ablations. There is a high risk that my phrenic nerve will be affected again, and my doc just through Phrenic nerve pacing out there as an option- just in case.
I'm not completely sold on the idea yet, despite it already being scheduled for next month. I figure, I got a week or two to make up my mind.
THANKS so much for your input. Like I said before, man, I wish I had known there was someone else out there with similar issues, or it's quite possible that I've forgotten. This helps.......tons. Thanks so much!
Angelie

 

FDA Approves Diaphragm-Pacing Device
Published 06/18/2008 | June 2008 , Medical Tech | Rating:

Device can help paralysis patients breathe without a Ventilator for at least four hours

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that it approved the NeuRx DPS RA/4 Respiratory Stimulation System, an implantable electronic device that stimulates the diaphragm and allows certain spinal cord injury patients to breathe for at least four hours a day without a mechanical ventilator.

Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis, which can impact the muscles of the chest and abdomen, including the diaphragm—the lower abdominal muscle essential for breathing. Normally, a person inhales when the diaphragm contracts and the lungs expand with air—a person exhales when the diaphragm relaxes and the air flows back out of the lungs.

"While the NeuRx RA/4 does not cure paralysis of the diaphragm, allowing patients to be free from a mechanical ventilator for at least four hours a day may enhance their quality of life," said Daniel G. Schultz, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Patients with severe spinal cord injuries who cannot control their diaphragms often need mechanical ventilation to help them breathe. This usually requires a full-time connection to a ventilation machine.

The NeuRx DPS RA/4 uses four electrodes implanted in the muscle of the diaphragm to electronically stimulate contraction; this stimulation allows the patient to inhale.

The FDA approved the distribution of this device under a Humanitarian Device Exemption, an approval process for devices intended to treat or diagnose conditions that affect fewer than 4,000 people per year.

In a multi-center trial, the device has been demonstrated to be safe and to have probable benefit to the patient by allowing at least four hours per day of freedom from a mechanical ventilator.

NeuRx DPS RA/4 is manufactured by Synapse Biomedical of Cleveland, Ohio.


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