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AJ C.
Tips and Tricks

Sleeping with batteries

Last activity 2 years 1 month
I must strongly disagree with those who say that sleeping with batteries is “stupid and dangerous” It is no such thing. I have had an LVAD for almost 2 years and I often nap with batteries if I am expecting someone and need to get up quickly. For a year and a half I slept with batteries every night...
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David H.
Equipment

smaller battery charger

Last activity 2 years 1 month
Anybody have an idea if Abbott might make a battery charger that is smaller then the 4 battery monster they give you? I have to travel for work and that big thing is problematic.
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Anonymous
Medications

doppler

Last activity 2 years 1 month
Hi everybody, I'm hope one of you all have or had this problem. I am having trouble getting my doppler to get to 80 to 85 and I'm having trouble to get the right blood pressure meds. I will get some that doesn't work,or I get one that I' m have an allergy to..... that is the problem I am having. My...
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Carole N.
Equipment

NEED AN LVAD SHOWER BAG?

Last activity 2 years 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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Richard M.
Equipment

Electricity Usage

Last activity 2 years 1 month
My husband got a Heartmate 3 in October. December was our first month at home. Our electric bill was about $150. higher than normal for the same period in past years. The only new appliance or new usage is our Heartmate 3 chargers. I'm a bit shocked. Is that the experience of others?
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Matthew B.
New to LVADs

Been advised that I need an LVAD unit.

Last activity 2 years 1 month
So I have been advised that I need to have an LVAD unit. I have HOCM and have been fighting this heart desease head on since 2014 when I had a Septal Myectomy and Transapical midventricular myectomy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochestor MD. These surgeries were very major but really did not improve my...
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Sataron W.
Clothing Options

Driveline and shirt management

Last activity 2 years 2 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 2 years 2 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 2 years 2 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 2 years 2 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 2 years 2 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 2 years 2 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 6 years 4 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 2 years 3 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 2 years 3 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...