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Katie P.
Clothing Options

LVAD Accessories

Last activity 1 year 1 month
Hello All! My husband and I are moving and came across some extra accessories free to anyone who can use them, I know not everyone's insurance covers. All compatible with Heart Mate 3 Shower bag w/ straps Belt case with optional straps Cross body battery support. He has since been transplanted. Feel...
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Virginia S.
Living with an LVAD

How do you cope with living with an LVAD?

Last activity 1 year 1 month
Hello all, I'm not exactly new to living with an LVAD since I've had mine for two years now, but I'm still adjusting and trying to cope with it. It's a huge change in my life that happened at a very young age. I was only twenty-one years old when I got my LVAD and I've spent two of my birthdays in...
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Carole N.
Equipment

NEED AN LVAD SHOWER BAG?

Last activity 1 year 1 month
My husband has an LVAD Thoratec HeartMate GoGear Shower Bag. Never opened - still in the box. His doctor won't let him shower so if anybody needs it please let me know. All I ask is that you pay shipping. Thanks and have an amazing day.
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Dhara K.
Questions about LVAD surgery

What should we know before my father gets an LVAD in India?

Last activity 1 year 1 month
My father, who is now 65, has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF), and has been recommended a heart transplant or an LVAD. We are still in the process of checking if he's a good candidate for either of those, but I would like to know someone's personal experience with either transplant or...
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Barry and Susan (caregiver) S.
Living with an LVAD

Right ventricular dysfunction

Last activity 1 year 1 month
My husband is 74 and also destination LVAD. His breathing has really gone down hill, because of dysfunction of the right ventricular , which creates regurgitation of the Tricuspid, thus fluid retention , thus increase Pulmonary disease. He was just at the hospital , Mayo, to see his Team. So for now...
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Lauren S.
Questions about LVAD surgery

COVID-19 Concerns pre-VAD or post-VAD?

Last activity 1 year 2 months
Hi everyone! My name is Lauren, and I work at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. My colleagues are the creators of Deciding Together, an LVAD Decision Aid which is intended to educate patients and caregivers and help them generate questions and concerns to discuss with a healthcare team...
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Cathie W.
Driveline Management

Sterile Dressing Supplies

Last activity 1 year 2 months
My husband received his new heart on June 4th. We have a large amount of supplies to share for the cost of shipping. Please let me know if you have need of any of the following: 2" and 4" gauze 2" and 4" driveline sponge rolls of 2" and 4" medipore tape hibiclens sterile water hair bonnets foley...
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Maryellen F.
Equipment

LVAD Equipment to give away

Last activity 1 year 2 months
Hi. I have some LVAD equipment I would love to give away to anyone who needs it. Thoratec Heart Mate Go Gear Battery Holster, 2 Shower Bags, one consolidated bag, right, Battery Holster, power module cable, 2 stabilization belts, white. Please let me know and I will ship to you. thanks Maryellen
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Ian P.
Inspiration and Encouragement

!0 years with a Ventrasist Lvad!

Last activity 1 year 2 months
I have recently 'celebrated' 10 years of living with an 'antiquated' Ventrassist LVAD in the UK. Life has not been easy with the heavy batteries and so on, but the 'behaviour' of the pump itself has been exemplary! We are getting to the stage where getting batteries for it can be quite difficult....
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Gova R.
Equipment

Heart mate 3 equipment

Last activity 1 year 2 months
Hi, I have Lvad Heartmate 3 equipment, 4 batteries, battery charger, Wall charger, go gear (small) , some dressing supplies, folly anchors, chloroprep etc. I have used less than a year. It’s in good condition. I can also ship the items if needed. Pls let me know if any one Is interested. you can...
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Cathie W.
Driveline Management

Sterile Dressing Supplies

Last activity 1 year 2 months
My husband got his LVAD June 2018. We JUST received the first invoice for dressing supplies and it was $3,443!! Our cost after insurance for Chloraprep is $202. A box of sterile gloves $75, Foley anchors (which are terrible and always come off but that's another story) are $62.00 The company is...
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Vikki R.
New to LVADs

Low Flow

Last activity 1 year 2 months
Hello, I’m 58 years old wife, mother. My CHF started in my early 40s secondary to Rocky Mountain spotted fever destroyed my ventricles. Now as of Dec 16, 2019 just out of the hospital 2months Feb 16. It’s been a roller coaster with my heartmate 3. Many low flow incidents, and high PIs. I’m either to...
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Debra W.
Patient and Caregiver Forums

Eliquis VS Coumadin

Last activity 1 year 2 months
My husband had a Heartmate 3 Inserted last March and did very well at first but soon was experiencing GI bleeds, source unknown after tests and scopes. Has rec'd numerous units of blood to get his Hemoglobin up to a whopping 8 or 9. MD wants to try Eliquis instead of Coumadin but not much study has...
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Tonya E.
Recipient Support

Does anyone else feel.........

Last activity 1 year 3 months
Hi I have had my heartmate 3 since November 2019. And spent 2 months in hospital, since i have been home. I have had driveline pain since they cut out my stitches at the site, in February of this year. I have had CHF with an injection fraction rate of 15 to 20% off and on for 17 1/2 years before i...
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Ibrahim S.
Recipient Support

LVAD Flow

Last activity 1 year 3 months
Last week my LVAD flow reduce from 4. 5 L to 2.5L i dont know why thia happen now i complete one week with 2. 5L And my INR increase last week to 6 Is there any relation between INR and flow?
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Kathleen B.
Tips and Tricks

Fitbit for LVAD patient

Last activity 1 year 3 months
I am looking to buy my husband a gift. I want any in put on a fit bit that would be good for a Heartware LVAD patient. TIA
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Jerome M.
Equipment

Jerry M.

Last activity 1 year 3 months
The doctors staff check my equipment every six months. I always hook up to AC at night and I am going on my third year with my Heart Mate 3. During hurricanes I slept with my batteries as I did not want to tethered to a plug during an emergency. I charge the back up controller monthly by plugging it...
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Pat S.
Equipment

Equipment Needs a New Home

Last activity 1 year 3 months
I was on the Heart-Mate 2 for about 2 years. During that time I experienced no problems with my unit and the Hospital (Delray) regularly inspected it. I have all of my equipment in excellent condition with a need for a new home. I want this to go to somebody that has a real financial need for it and...