Patient and Caregiver Forums
Activity
Last activity 5 years 8 months
Hi. I am new here. I received my Lvad on December 29, 2017 after 20 years with congestive heart failure. In early 2016 my heart started getting extremely worse. in 7 months I was hospitalised 8 times. After 5 days the drs said i was ready to go home. I have had no problems so far. My question is...
Clothing Options
LVAD Clothing
Last activity 5 years 8 months
This is my first post. My husband has had his LVAD for five weeks now, and I want to share this web site with you all for making your life easier with a LVAD. My husband is so grateful to discover how this shirt gave him freedom to do daily life activities. Take a peek and see if it is something you...
Clothing Options
Black friday
Last activity 5 years 8 months
The most favorite Lvad t-shirt now available on black friday https://www.facebook.com/LVADshirt/posts/1973147372701194
Caregiver Support
Contact information
Last activity 5 years 8 months
Hi, my name is phil lay and I've been the care giver for a grouchy old man since he received his first lvad (he's on his third one now). I've been fired several times, mind you I've never been hired or paid. I do it outta love for the old fart. So here's my question: he's in Sutter again, and this...
Caregiver Support
Husband is in surgery right now getting the Lvad heartmate 3
Last activity 5 years 8 months
My husband was diagnosed with CHF in 2014. In 2017 he had a stroke and his heart enlarged and as time went on, his heart health declined a lot. Last week, while I was pumping gas, my husband, son (5 yrs) and daughter (2yrs) were in the car and my husbands ICD fired. HIs ICD fired a total of 54 in 40...
Living with an LVAD
Hello everyone
Last activity 5 years 8 months
hi, I’ve had my lvad for 8months, had the surgery in Canada, then I’ve recently moved back to the u.k. I’ve not really met anyone with the lvad, it would be nice to swap stories, tips and chat about living with the device would be nice.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Any experience with a NMES unit on a patient with an HVAD
Last activity 5 years 9 months
Has anyone used a NMES unit for foot drop on a person with an HVAD in place?
Living with an LVAD
SOB and Fatigue
Last activity 5 years 9 months
Hi Everyone, I am a RN Care Advisor that does case management for some patients with LVADs and I am trying to learn if anyone started having an increase in fatigue and SOB around year 4-5 with the LVAD and if there were any discussions/treatments/medications etc that improved it? Thanks again and I...
Caregiver Support
Husband discouraged
Last activity 5 years 9 months
My husband got his lvad December 22nd, 2018 and he is getting discouraged as he feels he isn't making much progress. Feels like he takes one step forward and two back. Any ideas on how to encourage him.
Congestive Heart Failure
To get an lvad or not to get an lvad, that is the question
Last activity 5 years 8 months
Two years ago my husband who suffers from congestive heart failure was tested to be put on a heart transplant list. He was deemed to healthy. Now we are facing the same testing. I can live with the thought of him receiving a heart transplant. He feels fine right now. No shortness of breath, he golfs...
New to LVADs
LVAD Recovery
Last activity 5 years 9 months
Hello, My name is Meghan and my boyfriend, Chris, recently received a HeartMate 3 on December 27th. I am 25 years old and my boyfriend is only 30. He was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy on Halloween, so this process came very quickly for us. Chris has been medically sedated since December 14th...
Living with an LVAD
Supplies needed for LVAD
Last activity 4 years
I am preparing for my LVAD surgery next month. Other than clothing, what types of supplies will I likely need to purchase for myself (not covered by insurance)? Are there additional products that people have made your life with a VAD easier that were not mentioned by your medical team?
Patient and Caregiver Forums
I don't know how to title this.
Last activity 5 years 9 months
Has anybody gone into a "Bridge to transplant " surgery, then after 3 years been told you've always been "Destination "?
Recipient Support
Online Support Group Tonight! Join us!
Last activity 5 years 9 months
Join us TONIGHT at 7pm EST for an interactive video support group designed for LVAD recipients and caregivers. Connect with others who are affected by LVADs, make some new friends, and discuss issues that are unique to the LVAD world. There are multiple ways that you can join the meeting. Choose one...
Living with an LVAD
can hear pump through guitar amp
Last activity 5 years 9 months
I am 49 and got my lvad in September 2017, I have been playing guitar since I was 10 . Now the problem is my electric guitar picks up the pump and transmits it through the amp to the point of not being able to play. I don't think there is going to be any solution to this but I thought I would throw...
Equipment
Electrical outlet
Last activity 5 years 9 months
Hi Everyone, Not sure if this is of help to anyone... I have been concerned about my HeartMate plug being accidentally pulled out of the wall socket. Not usually something to worry about. However, I have had another plug separated enough from the scocket to turn off a light when my cat jumped over...
Recipient Support
LVAD & ICD
Last activity 5 years 7 months
I have an ICD as well as my LVAD. Can the two affect each other. I had three alarms on my control unit but I felt like I do before getting a shock. I am interested in knowing if anyone else is having this outcome ?
Stories
My Journey to an Lvad
Last activity 5 years 11 months
My journey began in December 2015. I had to have a pacemaker implanted. I thought that had solved my heart problem. Not until I arrived in GA did I eventually learn that I had chronic heart failure. I was sent to a Heart Failure Clinic in Atlanta. My cardiologist suggested that I get on the heart...
New to LVADs
High heart rate
Last activity 5 years 11 months
My husband got a HeartMate3 on Sept 13, 2018 - his 76th birthday. He went from final stages of heart failure - basically send him home on a drip to die - to a remarkable recovery. Other than his heart, he has always been physically fit. After surgery and adjustment, he went home after 2 weeks, weak...