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Wendy H. Caregiver

Question concerning nausea and LVAD

Mon, 02/09/2015 - 8:22PM

My father has had his Heartmate II for about 2 years and also has a pacemaker/defibilator that he has had for several years.  His main problem is nausea and constant pain around the area where the "elbow" of the pump is. He recently started complaining of a gurgling sensation after he eats.  Have had several test done but nothing has been found.  Just trying to see if anyone else has had these symptoms and any type of resolutions.

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Henry R.

Sat, 03/28/2015 - 10:34PM
Hi, my name is Hank Richmond, and I received my LVAD in June 2014. The way I understand it, the Heartmate II LVAD motor sits in a pocket on top of the diaphragm, and presses somewhat on the stomach region. When I first got the LVAD I had to eat smaller meals or I would throw up, but that problem went away after about a month. I am not a doctor, but it sounds like something is interfering with operation of the stomach, and causing pain at the same time. An ulcer? I hope you find a doctor who can help you.
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Steve W.

Thu, 11/23/2017 - 8:50PM
I got my LVAD implanted on 9/7/2017 and I'm having a similar problem. I could hardly eat any amount of food without getting sick and my GI has sharp pains all the time. When I first got the lvad I experienced a lot of the gurgling others have mentioned and I am starting to get that again but what I think is that I am not drinking enough so I am going to focus on getting enough to drink and see if that helps.
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MASA A.

Thu, 03/15/2018 - 9:38PM
Hello. My husband received his lvad in January 2018: about two months after the surgery he started having sharp pain in his lvad area: the pain came once about three weeks after the surgery and the hospital gave him iv toradol. After a month when the pain came back, he went to the er and received the same treatment which immediately numbs the pain. He has had the pain every day this week, and the doctors do not know what to do, but he can not even move when it comes. Has anyone had this type of pain and does anyone know a solution for it?
Profile picture for user Rolipas
MASA A.

Thu, 03/15/2018 - 9:40PM
Hello. My husband received his lvad in January 2018: about two months after the surgery he started having sharp pain in his lvad area: the pain came once about three weeks after the surgery and the hospital gave him iv toradol. After a month when the pain came back, he went to the er and received the same treatment which immediately numbs the pain. He has had the pain every day this week, and the doctors do not know what to do, but he can not even move when it comes. Has anyone had this type of pain and does anyone know a solution for it?