Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) Survivors 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.

@lisalucier thank you. I will get in touch with the neuropathy group. I still have neuropathy on my left side. Sometimes the pain and burning can be difficult to deal with. Drinking ice cold water and keeping the room temperature about 75 or lower seems to help. The Florida summers can get pretty warm so I briefly stay outdoors to enjoy my flowers. Somedays the intensity of the neuropathy seems decreased. When I feel better I do more around the house.
With the headaches, I do still get them but not as often, maybe once or twice a week. Caffeine does not seem to matter in eliminating the headache. I tried using omega 3 oil as a blood thinner but I did not see any improvement. I am not sure if moving around with poor vision is the cause. I did that in the past but now I do more. I still have the double vision. It has improved slightly. The dizziness and nausea stops me from several activities. I do what I can. Outpatient and home care physical therapy has helped me learn to walk again. I plan to do more physical therapy outside my home in the fall to learn to walk on uneven surfaces like the lawn.

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Hoping to catch up with some of you who have posted here about your experiences with Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) and see how things are going. I think it will be beneficial for all in this discussion.

@mockinbrd - did your doctor provide you any insights on the ridges you were noticing on your skull?

@avmcbellar - how is the neuropathy you talked about developing during your AVM treatment? You might also be interested in the Connect Neuropathy group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/neuropathy/, Have your migraines recurred at all?

@kiarastrong - thinking of you. How is your daughter?

@nusmal - are you still experiencing the floating sensation you mentioned?

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@lisalucier

Hi, @mockinbrd - wondering if some of the others in this discussion, like @avmcbellar @nusmal @ad_walker @levity have experiences to share about developing deepening ridges along where the surgeon cut their skull. @kariulrich may also have some thoughts or information to share.

@mockinbrd - did you have a chance to talk with your surgeon about the ridges and see what he or she thinks about this?

Also, @nusmal, are you still experiencing the floating sensation you'd mentioned before?

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Hello Lisa,
So good to hear from you. I was hoping to hear others say that deep ridges are normal. I was looking for that no-need-to-worry, a deeply lumpy skull is fine. Just wondering. Hope you are soon enjoying being outside in beautiful spring and soon to be summer in Rochester. And Maybe another will post on my question. Thanks.

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@mockinbrd

In February I had a craniotomy to deal with my AVM. Recently, I have developed deepening ridges along where they cut my skull. Anyone experience this? Thank you for any ideas.

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Hi, @mockinbrd - wondering if some of the others in this discussion, like @avmcbellar @nusmal @ad_walker @levity have experiences to share about developing deepening ridges along where the surgeon cut their skull. @kariulrich may also have some thoughts or information to share.

@mockinbrd - did you have a chance to talk with your surgeon about the ridges and see what he or she thinks about this?

Also, @nusmal, are you still experiencing the floating sensation you'd mentioned before?

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In February I had a craniotomy to deal with my AVM. Recently, I have developed deepening ridges along where they cut my skull. Anyone experience this? Thank you for any ideas.

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Hi everyone,

I'd like to invite you to join us today, Wednesday, May 1 at 12pm CT for a video Q&A. Drs. William (David) Freeman and Rabih Tawk will be discussing all aspects of stroke, and will answer questions during the live broadcast.
Simply click https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qa-about-stroke-2/ for details.
Drs. Freeman and Tawk will answer questions live. Post your questions before and during the broadcast.

Return to this page, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qa-about-stroke-2/ to take part in the video Q&A live on May 1 at noon CT. It will also be archived on this page.

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@kiarastrong

Hello, I stumbled across this forum desperately looking for information about AVM. A rare disease that attacked my 18 yr old daughter the morning of April 6, 2019. She is in NICU fighting for her life. I never heard about this abnormality of veins she was such a healthy child nothing out of the ordinary. May God Bless You all I'm hear reading your posts and I'm in tears. God Give us Strength and Power to see this through.

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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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Hello, I stumbled across this forum desperately looking for information about AVM. A rare disease that attacked my 18 yr old daughter the morning of April 6, 2019. She is in NICU fighting for her life. I never heard about this abnormality of veins she was such a healthy child nothing out of the ordinary. May God Bless You all I'm hear reading your posts and I'm in tears. God Give us Strength and Power to see this through.

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@mockinbrd

Hello Lisa, how are you dealing with Rochester snow? I thought April showers were suppose to bring May flowers, not snow. Oh well. Hope you have a great summer after this winter. You guys must need it.
Now...visual cut. I don't quite know where to get help and I'm a little hesitant about asking. I'm adjusting to keeping myself safe. I bump into things I can't see. I was told to 'scan' by P.T. but....that doesn't cover all bases. Again, I welcome all suggestions. Oh, I did get a walking cane. That is a huge help. That gives me a sense of where I am, if I'm out walking.

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Yes, we did get quite a bit of ice and snow in Rochester, Minn. this past week. Thought we'd put away our snow shovels for the season, but alas, no.

Bumping into things sounds difficult. Getting some ideas from others would be great.

What I'd suggest the most for the visual cut and suggestions for managing that is to post in the Connect eye conditions group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/eye-conditions/. I think there you will find other members who have quite a bit of experience with eye issues. In Getting Started on Connect there are some instructions on how to start a new discussion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/.

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@lisalucier

Hi, @mockinbrd - just wanted to ask you more about the visual cut you mentioned experiencing after surgery. Are you looking for help dealing with it, finding a doctor to see you to address it, or what information and support would be most helpful related to your limited visual field?

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Hello Lisa, how are you dealing with Rochester snow? I thought April showers were suppose to bring May flowers, not snow. Oh well. Hope you have a great summer after this winter. You guys must need it.
Now...visual cut. I don't quite know where to get help and I'm a little hesitant about asking. I'm adjusting to keeping myself safe. I bump into things I can't see. I was told to 'scan' by P.T. but....that doesn't cover all bases. Again, I welcome all suggestions. Oh, I did get a walking cane. That is a huge help. That gives me a sense of where I am, if I'm out walking.

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