Patients and Caregivers Forums

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

My husband had his Lvad implanted in April 2018. It was a difficult three years but it was three years more that we had together then we would have. he had a heartware VAD. I now have four batteries and the battery charger, two controller AC adapters, various holders and straps, three unused vests...

I lost my sweet husband Nov. 24 th, 2020. He had his LVAD since Oct. 19, 2016. I have all his equipment that I would love to pass on to someone that can use it. Please reply here.

My husband is possibly going to get an lvad shortly. Will he be able to learn how to maintain his own driveline. I like to travel and would like him to be able to do this while I am away.

Hello My Aunt got her LVAd around 3 weeks back but unfortunately the recovery is extremely slow. She is in early 50s. she was on ventilator for almost 2 weeks. She is able to breathe on her own now but we have noticed: - she keeps her eyes closed for most of the day and doesnt talk much - she...

Hi, my husband passed 10/8/20 he received his Vad 2/20. I have all his equipment extra batteries, wall unit,,bags, vest, book, battery charger, drive line bandages n ect. Would like it to go to someone that can use it. Thx

My Husband had LVAD surgery on Friday 1/8/2021. About 10 pm that night they had to put a tube down his throat to see what was going wrong. By 1:00am Saturday Morning I had to consent again for them to go back in him because the right side of the heart wasn't strong enough. Well Sunday the nurse told...

Hi all, Just wanted to see if anyone has any recommendation on carry on bag for all the equipment to go in when traveling. Also, anyone had to purchase a generator for backup in case of power outage? If so, what have you found to be most useful? Thanks.

Hello, my brother is currently going to get a LVAD. I apologize for bad English as I am still young and Im just very worried. My brother had gone through an operation and needed rehab therapy. However, the state we lived in did not offer him the specific rehab therapy so he needed to be flown out to...

Lets get to it. The worst thing that can happen to an LVAD user is a drive line infection. It can put you in the hospital many times over and cures with the various antibiotics may or may not work for you. It can lead to extra surgeries for debridement and in some cases make it worse. In my case I...

I have had my LVAD for 2 1/2 years and have devised clothing options for daily use, including vests, fishing vests, LVAD shirts, and concealed tactical shirts that my wife sews a pocket on for the controller. My problem has always been with the belt for the controller. I am fat and have a flat hips...

Just wanted to let everyone know about this vest. Vests in general have been a great option for me over the last 4+ years. I even wear one now to play golf in. But other than the high cost ones I’ve not had an option of a sleeveless one for winter wear. I wore this for the first time today. I wore...

Hello, My husband and I are considering spending a month or so in the Ft. Myers/Naples, FL area. I'd be more comfortable if I knew of a hospital/cardiology group located in the area that I could contact in case there would be any type of emergency that could come up with my husband's Medtronic LVAD...

My husband, Michael had his LVAD implanted in August 2019 after much discussion and lots of defib shocks. He has been in heart failure since his heart attack in 2017... well as of June 2020 it has been determined by his team that a heart transplant will not happen for him. He hasn’t been able to...

Hi everybody, I got this email this morning and I read there's a new device that is implanted including the batteries. I don't think I want to go through the surgery again,but I would like to find out if the batteries will be replaced with the ones that I have and are lighter than the ones I have...

Hey good evening have a question....whats the protocol for being on wall power when its thundering and lightning? I know we cant be plugged into a surge protector , we are suppose to be plugged directly into the wall ? Right? I can't seem to find the answer. If anyone has the answer or suggestions i...

Hello VAD community, I'm a nurse from Vancouver B.C. Canada, and I'm hoping to get a sense from patients and caregivers, in terms of preference in receiving care (VAD or not VAD related), in the community versus back at the implanting hospital. My hope is that your input would help shape the future...

I've tried the Yoga CD but I was unable to do alot of the exercises;it was for beginners . So I've decided to do some thing else. I going to my walks again. I was doing two miles a day and it was getting to hot during the summer. I'm going do do my walks in the morning and do some of my leg...

I've tried the Yoga CD but I was unable to do alot of the exercises;it was for beginners . So I've decided to do some thing else. I going to my walks again. I was doing two miles a day and it was getting to hot during the summer. I'm going do do my walks in the morning and do some of my leg...

I've been trying to get some information about trying to do yoga with the lvad and how to get started. Has anyone tried or is anyone doing it? . At being 63yrs.old, I need some form of exercise; I would appreciate it. Thank you and Peace be with you.