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Adam B. Recipient

Out of Body Experience While Getting LVAD

Hello All,

Quick background, I am 37 and got my LVAD put in when I was 36. I had blood clots in my widow maker artery, it resulted in 2 massive heart attacks and subsequentially, heart failure. I flatlined and came back 6 times within a 2 week period. I was in a coma for almost a month.I had some major out of body experiences. I lived multiple lives during that time. When I was "out" I lived 7 different lives, dying in some and living in others. In each life I had all of the memories of only that life and none from any of the others until I came out of my coma and began to recover. I was in the hospital for about 8 weeks total. Has anyone else had out of body experiences during their LVAD surgery? Has anyone else flatlined and came back? I just want to know if I'm the only one.

Thank you all for your help and support.

 

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Diane B.

Hi Adam

My husband had his LVAD a year ago on August 26. He was in an induced coma for almost 2 months while on a ventilator. He does describe feeling like he was out of his body at times but as he remembers more we believe he was having vivid dreams that he remembers at times when he is triggered by something. Usually when we talk about it I can help him relate it to different things that happened to him or were done to him over those 2 months. Some of the memories are very vivid and they all have an element of truth in them.   Diane

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Larry N.

I put a question mark on my reply because I'm not sure. I had two what I now call very vivid "dreams" during my recovery in the ICU after the implant in December 2018. I still remember them. I've never experienced anything quite as real, and in both of them I "died." The dreams seemed to be related. I had also had CABG in 1990, so I've been through open heart surgery before, and I didn't have any experience like this back then. I also had what I attributed to hallucinations whenever I closed my eyes - I'd see people walking around the foot of my bed, but when I opened my eyes there was no one there. I considered it all part of what my cardiologist warned me were going to be 2-3 days in what he called "a very dark place" that was probably a result of whatever drugs I was full of at the time. Seemed a plausible explanation. This all cleared up after a few days and hasn't happened since. At this point I am delighted to be alive still and enjoying the bonus years God has granted me and my family.

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In reply to by Larry N.

Gene Z.

yes i had nde (near death expierence).  2004 when i had the widow maker. My dead father was with me and he was waiting to escort me to heaven. I was revived and was told it wasnt my time. very spiritual meeting.

 

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In reply to by Larry N.

ron l.

Is it routine for Cardiologists to alert the patient about the aforementioned “dark days” or out of body experiences? All the best……ron l..

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In reply to by ron l.

Larry N.

Ron, I only have a sample of one (me). This has never come up in any of our support meetings. Having that input from my cardiologist helped me process the experience later, after I had recovered a few days. I am grateful. 

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In reply to by ron l.

Juanita P.

Hi Ron,

No one warned me of "dark days."  Actually, I shared my experience with them.  My out of body was prior to hospital arrival.  

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Larry C.

Adam, I did not have a NDE or out of body experience during my LVAD surgery in early 2021. Before I came awake after the induced coma, I did experience an odd thing. I was seeing something like a grid with dozens of lines of letters and numbers in them. They seemed to be scrolling downwards. Some seemed to spell out a word or phase, but I did not understand what I was seeing.  I could also occasionally hear brief conversations.  The first thing I recalled when coming alert again was a nurse saying "Larry, wake up!". It is quite possible that what I experienced was just a result of being brought awake, but I don't know what it was.  I would be curious if anyone else had a similar experience.

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In reply to by Larry C.

Juanita P.

Hello Larry C., 

 

I had one out of body experience, not while LVAD implant, but when I first dropped, "pretty much died" the evening they took me to the hospital 2/16/17.   I was out at a gathering for my daughter's birthday, had worked that day and it was about 8pm.  I didn't feel real well and almost didn't go.  One good thing, I was in the company of all medical profession from a local ER.  I advised my daughter I was leaving, had to work the next day, and when I walked out the door I suddenly could not breath.  I did not have a heart attacks, etc. but dilated cardio myopathy that got really bad.  I had two nurses behind me and an EMT, I guess they saw I was struggling and when asked if I was ok, I could not answer.  I made it to my car and turned the air on, it was February and cold, so I could breath.  Minutes later I was all alone looking down at myself from the back of my head.   I remember saying why was my skin so pale and why couldn't I hold my head up?  There was no one around and it was very peaceful I might add.  The three people that were helping me I guess I was close to death and only remember to a certain point.   However, when I had my LVAD implant, I had a sneak peak of Heaven I do believe.  I remember walking up a small hill with beautiful purple and fuchsia flowers that were knee high, slightly blowing in the wind.  The light was unbelieveable and would describe it as illuminating light.  I saw my deceased husband in the sky on a train of some sort and he was waving at me as he went by.  I did not at that time remember "home and children."   No recollection of anything here on earth.  Again it was very peaceful and I had not one worry in the world.  I got up to the hill, but never went over and that is all I can remember.  But the vivid memory of this place will stand in my mind forever.  

 

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Lynn W.

My husband had to get the LVAD last month, it’s going on 4wks since the surgery and he has done amazing with it so far. But we have been home for a little over two weeks now, he seems like he is angry with the world all of the sudden.. he has been trying to start arguments with me for silly reasons. Has anyone else had this issue? 
I understand that he is in a lot of pain and not sleeping great since the surgery, but just curious on how long this will last! If anyone can help!
Thank you 😳😊 

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In reply to by Lynn W.

Juanita P.

Hello Lynn:

 

Its hard to say how long it will last.  He is just 4 weeks post LVAD.  For what its worth, this is a VERY VERY tough transition.  After almost 5 years, I'm still trying to wrap this around my head and still get angry.  I was and still very independent and strong/healthy but carrying and have attached this machine.  Not easy to no means.  Everyone is diff. though.  Give it some time its a huge change for all of you.  Your LVAD team should be able to also offer some help "emotionally" to your husband and self.  Don't  hesitate to ask.  

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Tyshel L.

During my surgery, I recall waking up and first seeing my cardiologist, Dr. Kwan smiling at me, with his eyes. -He was of course wearing the surgical garb.   I was able to move about the operating room.  I wasn't walking; I recall a spirit-like floating, light airy being, feeling, guiding, witnessing the doctors working.   Then I went back to sleep.  I guess I was dreaming and was reassured everything was going to be OK.  As time goes on, this memory gets fainter.  Now I wish I had documented more in the beginning.  I was just ecstatic to be alive and feeling great! -  So I was living my best life instead of writing.

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Gene Z.

i had a native American friend that died and had out of body experience . He was floating above his body as they were working on him. At that time he was floating room to room looking at people. Floating above a room 4 doors down he thought he saw an old school friend.  They eventually brought him back to life and he explained to his wife that his old friend was a few doors down. At some point she walked down to the room and there was his old friend.