Looking for anyone else with a similar story.

Wow--sounds like they really put you through the paces. Hope you're finally starting to feel better. My situation wasn't like yours, but it was rough and it makes me wonder if everyone has had it a little rough. I too was in the hospital for 3 weeks. They wanted me to walk in the halls before they would discharge me. But, every time I stood up, I felt so faint. I actually did faint numerous times. (It was V-tach causing the problem). So, this really slowed my recovery because I was so afraid to attempt to get up, sit up, do anything. But, about 5 months post surgery, I suddenly felt better. They slowed my device down to the slowest it could be turned down and still function. That seemed to be the single thing that helped. I'll keep thinking of you and wishing you well. Best wishes.

Somewhat similar, my husband has end stage HF so his LVAD is destination therapy. He received his original Heartmate II in January 2015 . Throughout the first year he had numerous hospitalizations for GI bleeds and a 14 hour nosebleed that nearly killed him as they couldn't get it cauterized. Then in Dec. 2015 he developed a thrombus in his aorta and inside of his pump which ultimately caused it to fail . That left us with the decision of going home with hospice care or doing an extremely risky pump exchange, which his surgeon was very reluctant to do. His heart team left the decision up to him, but outlined all the risk factors . An exchange was done nearly a year to the day of his original surgery. Now we are back at the hospital with GI bleeds and V Tach . The team will do an endoscopy tomorrow to see if there is any remaining thrombus , and if not will try cardio version. I keep hoping for the best, but it has been a rough road . You are not alone. I wish you all the best . Mrs. white

Both bleeds were successfully cauterized. Apparently the heparin dissolved the blood clot in the aorta so they were successful with the cardio version. Normal heart rythm now, but still having repeated suction events. They VAD team decided to turn down his speed from 9200 to 9000. So far this seems to be improving his right ventricular function . Heparin therapy is discontinued and extra magnesium was ordered. We are hopeful for a release within the next 48 hours. I often dream about my old life. Mrs. White

I'm so glad to hear that he seems to be on the mend.

I got my LVAD in February 2014. A few months later I was hemolyzing and no one could figure out where or why. That happened about every 6 weeks until the fall and then stopped for no reason. After a few more stints in the hospital for Vad related problems my LDH jumped over 1000. Clot buster didn't work so, there had to be a Vad exchange. Unfortunately somehow, my drive line was fractured and the new Vad wouldn't position correctly. So, they moved my Vad to my other side. I was en route to a regular room 1 1/2 days later- and the new Vad failed.....horribly. It was a mechanical failure. So, they had to take the new, Vad and replace it immediately. Pretty much radio silence on the Vad side for the past year-thankfully.

My husband had a heartmate ii put in 1/21/16, came home 2/29/16, was back in 3/11 and had a second pump put in 3/13 because a clot was in the pump. Now he is having trouble with his hemoglobin level dropping, they told us that the pump was eating the red cells. He had to have his 4th transfusion the other day and we were wondering if anyone else had the same problem.

So sorry to hear about your husband Mrs. White. I hope he is doing better these days. If it helps, I'm now 6months post-op and training to compete in my first 5K in October.

I have both the LVAD and Pacemaker with ICD and wonder about the safety of having a physical therapist use a TENS Unit to attempt to stimulate the nerve in my lower portion of my leg to see if it might be beneficial for treating Drop Foot. It has been over two years since LVAD was implanted and I am fully able to exercise, but I am required to use braces because of the Drop Foot issue most severely in the right foot. Any insight would be appreciated.

My friend and I have discussed the difficulties we each have faced . He has had bleeding trouble and a ICD that went haywire and shocked him about 30 times. I have been dealing with a drive line infection and been unable to exercise so I fee tired a lot and have about a 12 inch scar from the incision to remove clean and preposition the line. We do find it amusing and always feel bad for the love ones suffering next to us. I have now had 400 plus days to hear I love you and laugh with MY Beloved wife, daughters, grand children and all my family . SEEMS WORTH THE DISCOMFORT. I offer the pain up in thanksgiving for this gift.