We are having issues with my daughter's right diaphragm due to BP injury. The weakened diaphragm has resulted in breathing problems and exercise intolerance issues.
Has anyone had any success with respiratory therapy or
used a device called a P-FLEX?
DIAPHRAGM
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F-Litz
- Posts: 970
- Joined: Fri May 26, 2006 6:53 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI, LTBPI at age 6.5, Sensory Issues, CP, Diaphragm Weakness, Aspberger's
- Location: Ambler, PA
Re: DIAPHRAGM
hi! long time no see 
We found out that Maia had diaphragm issues a few years ago and we had to put her on massive doses of steroids to breathe well because we were in a panic and couldn't find a way around it. In the meantime, I searched around and found that swimmers are using this "blow" exercise tool so that they can get more air in and although I was scared to purchase it (maybe too strong for a child), I bought her all different kinds of blowing toys.... blowpens, whistles, kazoos, harmonica. etc,. Then I got her in the synagogue choir (2 rehearsals a week) and then she joined another choir and for the past year she's been in voice classes.
On the medical side, I treated her for her allergies (with homeopathics - BIO ALLERS) and we are now 1 1/2 years without needing any asthma medication whatsoever (not even a rescue inhaler) nor has she been on steroids in two years.
She is now old enough to learn how to do diaphragmatic breathing and she is getting that in voice. She is learning the correct posture to get as much air into her lungs. She has to practice her singing (it is an instrument like any other) so that's her therapy.
Also, when she gets the very first sniffle of a cold OR I see her color change in her face, I'm right on it. She puts the zinc gel up her nose, I give her a remedy called Bioplasma (hylands - it is a mineral mix), take her off dairy and make a big pot of soup, she gets into a hot bath/shower every day to keep her lungs moving. The very minute I hear a cough I start her on mucinex which is gaufenesin (turns the mucous to water) so that nothing clogs her. And basically I'm on top of her like white on rice. hahahaha
Being aggressive like this has worked for Maia. But because it is a weakness at the core level of innervation, I think she's going to have to stay this aggressive about it for her lifetime. Which is not a bad thing...it's what we all need to do to stay healthy anyway.
-francine
francine@litzfamily.com
We found out that Maia had diaphragm issues a few years ago and we had to put her on massive doses of steroids to breathe well because we were in a panic and couldn't find a way around it. In the meantime, I searched around and found that swimmers are using this "blow" exercise tool so that they can get more air in and although I was scared to purchase it (maybe too strong for a child), I bought her all different kinds of blowing toys.... blowpens, whistles, kazoos, harmonica. etc,. Then I got her in the synagogue choir (2 rehearsals a week) and then she joined another choir and for the past year she's been in voice classes.
On the medical side, I treated her for her allergies (with homeopathics - BIO ALLERS) and we are now 1 1/2 years without needing any asthma medication whatsoever (not even a rescue inhaler) nor has she been on steroids in two years.
She is now old enough to learn how to do diaphragmatic breathing and she is getting that in voice. She is learning the correct posture to get as much air into her lungs. She has to practice her singing (it is an instrument like any other) so that's her therapy.
Also, when she gets the very first sniffle of a cold OR I see her color change in her face, I'm right on it. She puts the zinc gel up her nose, I give her a remedy called Bioplasma (hylands - it is a mineral mix), take her off dairy and make a big pot of soup, she gets into a hot bath/shower every day to keep her lungs moving. The very minute I hear a cough I start her on mucinex which is gaufenesin (turns the mucous to water) so that nothing clogs her. And basically I'm on top of her like white on rice. hahahaha
Being aggressive like this has worked for Maia. But because it is a weakness at the core level of innervation, I think she's going to have to stay this aggressive about it for her lifetime. Which is not a bad thing...it's what we all need to do to stay healthy anyway.
-francine
francine@litzfamily.com
Re: DIAPHRAGM
Hi Fran,
It has been a long time! Brings me back to the days of the old board...
Anyway, we have tried the p-flex, which is the swimmers tool you read about. It was recommended by a pulmonary therapist.
http://pflex.respironics.com/
In order to try to make the weakened hemi work more, my daughter lies on her side on a rolled up towel (rolled like a bolster) to push against the "good diaphragm" side in order to get the injured side to work more.
You clip the nose so you can only breath in and out of the mouth. There are holes in the p-flex which you increase resistance. We do it in front of the tv, the problem is that with chronic colds/runny noses, the nose clip becomes annoying. We are also plagued with allergies and colds.
I love the idea of voice and singing lessons, but alas my kid has inherited our family's chronic tone deafness.
Thanks always for your support.
I will email you.
It has been a long time! Brings me back to the days of the old board...
Anyway, we have tried the p-flex, which is the swimmers tool you read about. It was recommended by a pulmonary therapist.
http://pflex.respironics.com/
In order to try to make the weakened hemi work more, my daughter lies on her side on a rolled up towel (rolled like a bolster) to push against the "good diaphragm" side in order to get the injured side to work more.
You clip the nose so you can only breath in and out of the mouth. There are holes in the p-flex which you increase resistance. We do it in front of the tv, the problem is that with chronic colds/runny noses, the nose clip becomes annoying. We are also plagued with allergies and colds.
I love the idea of voice and singing lessons, but alas my kid has inherited our family's chronic tone deafness.
Thanks always for your support.
I will email you.
-
Jmarcellus
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 8:13 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Daughter with ROBPI 5/8/2002. forceps delivery. Avulsion: C4, C6, C7, Rupture: C5, stretch C8. Diaphragm paralyzed so had plication done at 7 weeks. Nerve graft done at Tx Childrens (Dr Nath) at 3 months. Mod Quad (Dr Nath) at 18 months. Sensation loss especially along ulnar nerve. Grasp ok, no finger extension, pronation, or wrist flexion. We use biofeedback/estim and TES unit. As well as a benik wrist splint for positioning. Myofascial Release therapy has helped a lot with tightness and blockages (2x/mth).
- Location: Rochester, NY
Re: DIAPHRAGM
My daughter had C4 rupture which paralyzed the right diaphragm ( along with several other ruptures and avulsions). She required having a diaphragm placation surgery at 8 weeks old. She hasn't had breathing problems since. She runs, jumps on the tramp, swims, screams and yells along with her 2 sisters. It is always in the back of my mind though and I always mention it when we do the IEP at school.