Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) survival and side effects

Posted by auldcelt @auldcelt, Dec 16, 2016

I'm a survivor of an AVM in my right hemisphere. Since the surgery I am dealing wth migraines and wondered if anyone else has experienced this. If you have what have you tried to get back to normal living. I'm also interested in reading about studies and research on AVMs

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases Support Group.

Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

@mockinbrd - I see that you had a craniotomy a few years back, and I'm wondering how you are doing now?

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@lisalucier
Hello Lisa,
Thanks for thinking of me. I’m doing pretty darn good. Still have some diminished abilities. But I think Mayo is such an incredible place. I would recommend it to everyone. My doctor, Giuseppe Lanzino, is the best. And I have the privilege to send him and nurse Reps a valentine’s flower on each the anniversary of my surgery, February 14th.

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Profile picture for mockinbrd @mockinbrd

I'm so pleased you were able to stumble across this forum. I think you will find genuine support here. I’m sure you will experience sincere hope for your daughters full recovery. I went to Mayo's in January 2019. Had a craniotomy and lengthy surgery after couple of angiograms and coils for stabilization. No one is promised 100% in life. But I think you can expect your health professionals to give you their best medical treatment they can give. You will find sincere efforts on your daughters behalf. Best of luck. Let me know if I can help.

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@mockinbrd - I see that you had a craniotomy a few years back, and I'm wondering how you are doing now?

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Profile picture for stellgma @stellgma

Hello, does anyone else have a dura brain fistula? I was diagnosed with 2 of them and haven’t heard of anybody else having brain fistulas. I’ve read a lot online about them, but would like to talk to someone who has one.

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@stellgma
Hello, I had a Dural artiovenous fistula DAVF. I’d be happy to chat if it would be helpful to you.

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Hi, @auldcelt - wondering how you are doing lately?

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Thank you for reaching out! Yes I have and appointment with a headache clinic hopefully the Dr can help . Dark house meditating helps but never goes away.

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Profile picture for avmbrainbarbara @avmbrainbarbara

AVM surgery 2021 Right side In the last 3 yrs I have had extreme painful migraine /headaches . I have had to quit my job and not sure what to do about them . Feel dizzy and my head still hurts where the opening of the surgery. Is Right eye Drs are making me feel unseen and not heard

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Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @avmbrainbarbara. Having to quit your job is a massive life change. I'm really sorry your doctors are making you feel unseen and not heard.

Wondering if you have consulted with a neurologist specializing in headaches? What do you do to feel better when you experience dizziness?

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AVM surgery 2021 Right side In the last 3 yrs I have had extreme painful migraine /headaches . I have had to quit my job and not sure what to do about them . Feel dizzy and my head still hurts where the opening of the surgery. Is Right eye Drs are making me feel unseen and not heard

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Profile picture for mistyeve @mistyeve

Hello.... I scrolled through a few post to see if I could find any information on a PAVM (pulmonary).... I have one that was found by chance on my left lung. Embolization is the recommendation but I would like to know what others have experienced.

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@mistyeve, have you had the embolization? How are you doing?

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Hello.... I scrolled through a few post to see if I could find any information on a PAVM (pulmonary).... I have one that was found by chance on my left lung. Embolization is the recommendation but I would like to know what others have experienced.

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

Hi @intrepiddoc, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community connecting patients, allowing people to share the knowledge and expertise of experience living with a condition, and to give and get support.

Through a Google search, I found this recently published research by my Mayo Clinic:
- Evaluation of the Safety of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Antagonists for Migraine Treatment Among Adults With Raynaud Phenomenon https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33871613/ (April 2021)

Here is information about AVM care at Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriovenous-malformation/care-at-mayo-clinic/mac-20350547

Fellow member @msb18 discussed use of CGRP antagonists in this related discussion:
- Migraine - Aimovig and Cardiology or Pulmonology https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/migraine-aimovig-and-cardiology-or-pulmonology/

I hope this helps get you started as you search for treatment options. How long have you been living with AVM?

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3 years. Too large >5 cm, and areas too important to consider surgery. Treatment at Emory which was spectacular. Had consultations at Barrow, Stanford, and USC prior to deciding on Emory. 2 courses of radiation and now over 90% gone but just per MRI/MRA. Pending angio in a few months.

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