Patients and Caregivers Forums

I got my LVAD July 2021, Heartmate III. I found that using wall power made me nervous overnight, after the power went out. I find it easier to use batteries day and night now. Anyone else do this?

PLEASE EMAIL US DIRECTLY FOR INSTRUCTIONS at Hankpattyrichmond@sbcglobal.net. We have received and filled hundreds of requests for the LVAD vest instructions. We hope that you were able to make your vest and are enjoying its benefits. My name is Hank Richmond. I received my LVAD on Friday the 13th...

My mom had an lvad and she passed away. I have a bunch of equipment I would rather donate than just getting rid of. I would love to hear any ideas. I can send pictures if needed. Email me. Klwatk2@gmail.com

Hi all, We have some pieces of equipment that we do not use anymore. 1. 4 batteries 2. Batteries Charging station 3. Driveline wall power device 4. Unopen dressings for the driveline 5. 9x9 Shower Shields 6. 2 Shower bags (1 unused) 7. 2 Travel bags (both unused) We are in the Seattle area. Contact...

VAD Wear is having a Labor Day sale! August 31st through September 5th. Save 10% off site wide. VAD Wear Vests . com Etsy shop: VADWear

I received a HeartMate III LVAD on 1/25/19. I have been home from the hospital for 5 days and I am using a Thoratec vest that was given to me at the hospital.I am ready to order mens clothing to accommodate my LVAD and would appreciate some advice. The batteries are now hanging on my side and the...

Has anyone tried using a chiropractor?

My husband has a lvad and his dementia is getting worse. Has anyone gone through this?

Any one suffer nerve pain in chest due to lvad pressing on nerve. I've had lvad since Jan 2019 and and gone through many issues. New issue as of March 2023 is lvad pressing on nerve. Some times it's very painful. Lvad team suggested a nerve block procedure as sometimes they work. I hate to have to...

Is there anyone that uses the harness system? If you do what do you do with the wires??

We are having problems getting the anchor that my husband has been using since he received his LVAD. He’s using the Hollister 9781. What is everyone else using? Maybe there’s an alternative that is more readily available for us. Thank you for your help with our search.

How do others do it? My husband had a heart attack end of January 2022 and received an LVAD on Valentines Day. He is home and going through cardiac rehab but because there was a head injury, injury to femoral artery and now he has neuropathy in his feet bad, he can't work again. This was supposed to...

Good Evening, So I am assuming that most patients here are on medicare medical insurance. Can anyone share what the monthly out of pocket cost are for someone who has an LVAD unit? Hospital staff is not really giving me a straight answer. Should be pretty straight forward. Anyone have any financial...

Hi, Has anyone been having pins and needles in their ankles at night since having their LVAD fitted? It’s really annoying and stopping me from sleeping Emma knight

Is anyone struggling with eating? Since coming out of hospital, may this year, my appetite has really gone. I hope it will come back in time because I love my food normally. I am worried as if I don’t put any weight on I won’t be able to have a transplant in the future. Emma

Hello LVAD Family, I hope you all are reading this in the best of spirits. Just felt like uplifting someone day and to let you know that you are NOT ALONE! I know things get hard, you get sad, you get depressed and you may even want to give up but please please stay in the fight! Continue to put one...

I have always had issues securing the driveline to my stomach using anchors or tape. It always seems to pull off or get stuck on my shirt. I found adhesive patches for insulin arm sensors. Amazon has waterproof adhesives. They flex so if there's any movement of the driveline the entire patch doesn't...

I asked my husband who has a Heartmate 3 to dig out ten old t shirts he will still wear. THis is all he used to wear so he is comfortable in them. Then I got donations of old t shirts from our children and cut them up to make pockets to go on his old t shirts. I sew two pockets under the arms and...

Does anyone here do their own INR testing at home. If so how did your team approach it, does the tester work well and what brand if tester do you use. Getting lab work is expensive with the co pay and I am personally sick of being a pin cushion lol Thank you for any help.