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G V.
Congestive Heart Failure

Heart Disease after MI

Last activity 1 year 3 months
Hi Everyone, Would like to ask people here about their experiences with an LVAD and what sort of improvements it had made to your life after it was installed. My Dad has congestive heart failure after a MI and part of his heart has died. He suffers from edema in the legs, feet and stomach and BP is...
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Sataron W.
Clothing Options

Driveline and shirt management

Last activity 1 year 3 months
I am a new LVAD recipient about to leave the hospital after implant. I'm concerned about my shirts getting caught on my driveline. Any tips or suggestions on how to avoid this or how to best wear my tshirts
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Lori C.
Living with an LVAD

Lvad activities after vaccine

Last activity 1 year 4 months
Hello everyone you helped us soo much with vaccine information so I wanted to reach out to you again. We just made one year with his LVAD! I’m very proud.. it’s been very tough, especially with Covid. What kind of activities do you recommend! Right now my husband walks with a cane. We are looking...
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Maggie M.
Caregiver Support

GI bleed

Last activity 1 year 4 months
My Uncle has been living with his LVad for many years. He has recently been having complications. He's been in hospital over a week with a GI bleed they can't seem to find. He's had two colonoscopy and swallowed a pill that had a camera in it. They went in today and cauterized three spots that could...
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Rholena M.
Questions about LVAD surgery

Surgery to replace battery

Last activity 1 year 4 months
My Dad had LVAD surgery 4 years ago, now it's time to replace battery. Has anyone experienced battery replacement and how was the outcome?
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Anna N.
Patient and Caregiver Forums

My dad

Last activity 1 year 4 months
My dad has lived with his LVad for about 4 years successfully. In recent months he developed an infection and was treated for same in the hospital and now takes a medication to keep the infection at bay. Of course he has other medications related to his device as well. The infection was caught in...
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Adam B.
Stories

Out of Body Experience While Getting LVAD

Last activity 1 year 4 months
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...
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Anonymous
New to LVADs

Patricia Shares Their Story

Last activity 5 years 6 months
Henry, my husband, had a massive heart attack, Nov. 2016. We practically lost him and we were devasted at the news that he may not "make" it we were told. No "promises"....I knew it was dire. I knew at that point we had to just pray for the doctors and staff that were treating him. Now....almost six...
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Courtney V.
Inspiration and Encouragement

LVAD 5/25/17 for my Dad

Last activity 1 year 5 months
My Dad had his LVAD put in on 5/25/17. He seems to have had a new issue every, single, day, of his recovery so far. Hours after the surgery, they said he had bleeding in his chest and had to take him back and open him up a second time (then couldn't find the cause!). Then had to give him a lot of...
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Carolynn J.
Research Participation Opportunities

Paid Research Interviews for VAD Patients / Parents

Last activity 1 year 5 months
Do you have a Heartmate or a Heartware VAD? Are you the parent of a child implanted with a Heartmate or a Heartware VAD? We want to talk to you! We are conducting a research study in support of a new VAD system and we would like to talk with you about your experiences with your or your child’s VAD...
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John S.
Clothing Options

Medi-Materials.com now offers LVAD vests up to 5XL!

Last activity 1 year 6 months
Medi-Materials now offers the original WHITE Freedom Undervest in larger sizes: 2XL-3XL and the new 4XL-5XL. There is no price mark up for the larger sizes, at all. The 4XL-5XL BLACK Freedom 2 Undervest will be available sometime this Fall.
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Lisa G.
Living with an LVAD

How do you use seatbelts

Last activity 1 year 6 months
I received my Lvad early March and still just using the bag to hold my batteries etc. How do you use your seat belt to support bag and not disturb your driveline?
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Barbara Cole C.
Medications

HIGH PI

Last activity 1 year 7 months
My name is Barbara, I've had my Lvad Heartmate 3 over 3 years. So far I haven't experienced any major issues thank God! My question is regarding medication sensitivity and high PI's. Can anyone share regarding their experience with medicatons and High PI with Heartmate 3?
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Chris H.
Equipment

GO Bag Backpack

Last activity 1 year 7 months
Thought I’d let you know about a new “GO Bag” backpack from VAD Wear®️. It’s on sale for Father’s Day. Holds all equipment securely. Quick battery access port. Plenty of room for additional gear and even a laptop! https://www.etsy.com/listing/1029233329/new-lvad-go-bag-backpack?ref=shop_home_active...
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Nicole M.
Caregiver Support

Energy and weight loss after LVAD surgery

Last activity 1 year 7 months
Hello All, My father just had the LVAD surgery on October 12, 2017. I was wondering if anyone experienced weight loss or loss of energy after the surgery. If so, how long did it take for your weight loss to level out.