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Fred L. Recipient

Travel advice welcome

I just got home from the hospital four days ago with a Heartmate III installed and I'm having second thoughts concerning how heavy and bulky the equipment is. Does anyone else wish they made a two battery only charger for travel use? About the size of the wall-power transformer they refer to as mobile. When you travel do you need four batteries plus two back-ups or could you manage a long weekend with only four active batteries? How about a ten day trip to Europe? I envision a useful unit slightly larger than the mobile unit with slots for only two batteries, and since the output voltage is the same, a cord to use at bedside when you're on wall power. Also a 120 - 220 volt switch for the input voltage. Travelers provide their own plug adapters.
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Sally B.

I've had the heartmate II for ten months. I'm still not dealing with the excessive weight all that well. This morning for the first time, I got out of bed, but couldn't stand up. I have a serious kink in my back. I was sort of wondering how long it would be before problems like this set in.
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In reply to by Sally B.

Misty D.

I have had my L Vad since December 29 2015 it is now May 19 2016 and I am dealing dizzy pressure in back of my head and constant throw up....i went to the chiropractor to see if they could help me they would not touch me....if you can afford a massage therapist that can do light massage everyother day that will help alittle bit you can lay on your side and have it done found out today not to do deep massage because of blood thinners and blood clots but a regular massage will help hope this helps you
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Anita R.

I had planned on going home for a weekend at the end of the month. I changed my mind. The equipment I have travel with is overwhelming. Not only do I have to travel with LVAD equipment, I'm on CPAP as well. I've decided day trips would be best for me.
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In reply to by Anita R.

Sally B.

I noticed my electricity bill is up with the LVAD equipment. What have you noticed with the LVAD and CPAP in combo? Can that extra cost be added to the general medical expense and possibly written off with your taxes?
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In reply to by Sally B.

Misty D.

Have you had the doctor send something to your electric company? Normally it will be something that says if power goes out you are a priority in your area to have it turned on....once the power company got that letter and sent me a letter back i called them and was able to work out a deal with them so my advice is talk to your power company tell them everything and what is to come and most of the time they will work with you Good Luck.....
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In reply to by Alice C.

Misty D.

Before I travel I have to call my L Vad Coordinators let them know where I am going and which route I am taking just incase their more than one way.....what they do is gather my travel info and a list of L Vad centers.....they will call those clinics and let them know to be on deck if I show up.....
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Misty D.

I have the heartmate ll since December 29 2015......My family and I went on a vacation for 10 days we brought all the batteries we brought the battery charger and wall power so when we stayed in the hotel i was able to charge my batteries and be hooked up to wall power while sleeping....it feels like a lot of work and a major inconvenience but like my family told me while we were on our trip and I felt like a nusciance with all my equipment they would rather have me alive than dead we also brought a generator for the times we were not around any motels.....good thing with bringing all 8 batteries did not have to use the generator.....
Profile picture for user Mystery Love
Misty D.

I have the heartmate ll since December 29 2015......My family and I went on a vacation for 10 days we brought all the batteries we brought the battery charger and wall power so when we stayed in the hotel i was able to charge my batteries and be hooked up to wall power while sleeping....it feels like a lot of work and a major inconvenience but like my family told me while we were on our trip and I felt like a nusciance with all my equipment they would rather have me alive than dead we also brought a generator for the times we were not around any motels.....good thing with bringing all 8 batteries did not have to use the generator.....