Patients and Caregivers Forums

First time posting,, December 14th is my two year anniversary with the lvad, Balancing a positive mindset has been an on going issue,I'll be turning 48 in September I recently lost my younger brother who was 42, too a massive heart attack ,in July. The depression is Abit much I feel I'm losing what...

We are having problems getting the anchor that my husband has been using since he received his LVAD. He’s using the Hollister 9781. What is everyone else using? Maybe there’s an alternative that is more readily available for us. Thank you for your help with our search.

How do others do it? My husband had a heart attack end of January 2022 and received an LVAD on Valentines Day. He is home and going through cardiac rehab but because there was a head injury, injury to femoral artery and now he has neuropathy in his feet bad, he can't work again. This was supposed to...

I am writing this in hope of finding someone with some advice. Perhaps someone out there has experienced the following sympoms and has found healing. My father, is currently in the hospital and his team doesn't know for sure what is causing his constant dizziness and low PI. He has also experienced...

Hi Everyone, Would like to ask people here about their experiences with an LVAD and what sort of improvements it had made to your life after it was installed. My Dad has congestive heart failure after a MI and part of his heart has died. He suffers from edema in the legs, feet and stomach and BP is...

I got my LVAD July 2021, Heartmate III. I found that using wall power made me nervous overnight, after the power went out. I find it easier to use batteries day and night now. Anyone else do this?

Hi all, We have some pieces of equipment that we do not use anymore. 1. 4 batteries 2. Batteries Charging station 3. Driveline wall power device 4. Unopen dressings for the driveline 5. 9x9 Shower Shields 6. 2 Shower bags (1 unused) 7. 2 Travel bags (both unused) We are in the Seattle area. Contact...

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I received a HeartMate III LVAD on 1/25/19. I have been home from the hospital for 5 days and I am using a Thoratec vest that was given to me at the hospital.I am ready to order mens clothing to accommodate my LVAD and would appreciate some advice. The batteries are now hanging on my side and the...

Has anyone tried using a chiropractor?

My husband has a lvad and his dementia is getting worse. Has anyone gone through this?

Any one suffer nerve pain in chest due to lvad pressing on nerve. I've had lvad since Jan 2019 and and gone through many issues. New issue as of March 2023 is lvad pressing on nerve. Some times it's very painful. Lvad team suggested a nerve block procedure as sometimes they work. I hate to have to...

Is there anyone that uses the harness system? If you do what do you do with the wires??

Good Evening, So I am assuming that most patients here are on medicare medical insurance. Can anyone share what the monthly out of pocket cost are for someone who has an LVAD unit? Hospital staff is not really giving me a straight answer. Should be pretty straight forward. Anyone have any financial...

Hi, Has anyone been having pins and needles in their ankles at night since having their LVAD fitted? It’s really annoying and stopping me from sleeping Emma knight

Is anyone struggling with eating? Since coming out of hospital, may this year, my appetite has really gone. I hope it will come back in time because I love my food normally. I am worried as if I don’t put any weight on I won’t be able to have a transplant in the future. Emma

Hello LVAD Family, I hope you all are reading this in the best of spirits. Just felt like uplifting someone day and to let you know that you are NOT ALONE! I know things get hard, you get sad, you get depressed and you may even want to give up but please please stay in the fight! Continue to put one...

I have always had issues securing the driveline to my stomach using anchors or tape. It always seems to pull off or get stuck on my shirt. I found adhesive patches for insulin arm sensors. Amazon has waterproof adhesives. They flex so if there's any movement of the driveline the entire patch doesn't...

Does anyone here do their own INR testing at home. If so how did your team approach it, does the tester work well and what brand if tester do you use. Getting lab work is expensive with the co pay and I am personally sick of being a pin cushion lol Thank you for any help.