Patients and Caregivers Forums

I am a 78 year old male LVAD recipient, eight + years out. Generally have been doing quite well but am increasingly bothered by a very painful hip which is inhibiting my activity level and quality of life. I am interested in communicating with any LVADers out there who has had hip or joint...

Hi, I have had my LVAD for 3 months now. I was in the hospital critical care for 1.5 months before my surgery. My LVAD is a "bridge-to-transplant" option. Heart transplant list is long. Can anyone who had their LVAD for 1 year or longer give me any tips about living with the LVAD. I am new to this...

Can anyone tell me if a day of diarrhea constitutes a phone call to LVAD? How much fluid does he need to replenish to keep from dehydrating? Thanking you in advance. Sharon

My 21year old son got his LVAD on August 28, 2018. Hopefully will be released from the hospital tomorrow. I am a little apprehensive about what to expect. Are there any other parents of young adults here that can guide me through these first few months. Thank you.

Looking to purchase Doppler / blood pressure cuff for the purpose of checking LVad patient for Return To Flow.

I am a caregiver and am VERY frustrated with the options for carrying around the backup supplies. We were given a blue bag for this purpose. It has 2 handles on it, but they are too short to be shoulder straps, and the bag is too heavy to carry off the shoulder. The bag has no top to it, to protect...

I have a friend who is soon to be receiving an LVAD. I was quite suprised to receive a call from him today ( he is in the hospital )asking if I would consider being his caregiver after the surgery. I have told him I need some time to consider. When he first told me he was a candidate for this a week...

Hello world. My name is Tyler and I’m 31. I live in Ohio and have had a LVAD for almost 3 months. Going into surgery I was on several inotropes for RHF, but was quicklt weened off those post-surgery and otherwise had a speedy recovery in hospital. Since then I have struggled with what we now suspect...

Hello everybody, Just wondering if anyone here has ever had success with Weight Loss Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?. I read that if you can change the way your mind thinks about eating food (then you can lose weight by doing so, by convincing yourself you only need to eat a little instead of alot)....

Has anyone had to be put on dialysis BEFORE LVAD was implanted?

I'm scheduled for my LVAD on 7/17/18. I have done a lot of research but can't seem to find much about bras. I'm a big breasted woman and worry that the weight of my breasts will pull on the incision and either tear it or at least increase the pain. I've seen special post surgical bras that are front...

I am starting the transplant process. It has been recommended to me to avoid an Lvad at all cost. My condition is such that even an Lvad is only delaying the transplant and adding several surgeries. The transplant clinic has floated the idea, but it's too early in the process for anyone to pick a...

I am going to get a LVad 3 in two weeks. The information I have gotten from all your questions and answers has been so helpful. Thank you all

My husband received his HeartMate 3 May 24, 2017. He is having some issues with the sorbaview dressing. He hs very sensitive skin. Any ideas. Also we are planning an Alaskan Cruise next year. Any suggestions how to travel on a cruise ship with his contoller he plugs in at night and his battery...

I just want to know if it's normal....when i grow up the stairs... my lvad made a bizarre sound like :crunch... crunch ?? it is normal... ? I am a French person ...sorry for my english language.

Travel is something that we at MyLVAD encourage for LVAD recipients and their loved ones. Information on traveling with an LVAD can be difficult to find. Below you will find an instruction sheet that we created on how to pack the HeartMate II ® external equipment in a standard sized carry-on bag...

Intimacy was challenging at first of course, but besides being loving to each other in all aspects of our relationship, my wife and I are creative in a lot of the things we do together. Intimacy, I can report, still brings joy to everyones' lives around here.

How do I deal with the stress and unknown taking care of spouse with lvad system.