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Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) Survivors and side effects
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
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It's hit or miss. Some days it doesn't seem like they do anything and others a headache is bearable. My triggers are weather (not much I can do about that) and stress (and I'm teaching myself to redirect that in other ways).
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3 ReactionsWelcome back, @auldcelt. How are the additional medications working for you?
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1 ReactionSince my original response, we've changed up the meds a few times trying to bring the migraines under some control. We've added TRILEPTAL and, VISTARIL to the mix.
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1 ReactionSorry for the delay in responding Kari, I honestly forgot I was a member and only logged in today after seeing a note to update my profile.
My AVM was found by accident after a severe bout of vertigo. the ENT wanted an MRI to rule out other possibilities and voila the AVM was found. Ending in successful surgery. The reason for my surgery was an aneurysm that had formed off the AVM and there was concern it would rupture.
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3 ReactionsHi @auldcelt my name is Kari, I have a small AVM that is being monitored. Thank you for posting about your surgery. Would you mind me asking if your AVM was found incidentally or did you have symptoms? I also have headaches, called cluster headaches they are a form of migraines. I use at home oxygen and it helps if I use it right away. It is high flow oxygen with a rebreather mask. I wonder if it would help you also? It would be worth asking your neurologist.
My surgery was in 2013 May. I'm seeing a neurologist and I'm being treated wth generic cymbalta. On bad pain days I use Cambia
Welcome to Connect, @auldcelt.
I'm glad you started this discussion on AVM. Here are a couple of links to research being done:
- About Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) | Aneurysm and AVM Foundation (TAAF) http://www.taafonline.org/am_about.html
- Arteriovenous Malformation Information Page | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/avms/avms.htm
When did you have the surgery? How are you managing the migraines?