A friend asked me about the brain injury I have from my AVM brain bleed, and the different between the brain aneurysm Bret Michaels's had? I believe my friend wonders why he seemed to be back to normal and I'm not.
What is the difference between the after effects of a brain aneurysm and an AVM? Can someone explain it to me so that I can understand the difference myself?
I know this one Weezie, do I get a prize? An aneurysm is an abnormal widening of a vessel, like a balloon, that can “pop”. AVMs, as you know, are abnormal connections of vessels. I think the damage from a bleed or a burst can be very similar, depending on the area of the brain affected, the size of the bleed, etc. I believe one can be just as lethal as the other, so we, like Bret Michael’s are very fortunate to have survived.
You can get the prize if you can explain why he seems to be back to normal status and I’m not. He had a large bleed and I did too, but I can’t work and he can…
Good question. I’ts hard to find an easy way to explain our rare and more complicated AVM condition without looking at pictures. I would also like to see how others explains this to their friends etc. To me i’ts somewhat easy to explain what an aneurysm is and a little harder to explain the AVM. However this is is what have came up with that seems to work for me.
Aneurysm is a weak part of a blood vessel that over time blood pressure expands it like a balloon and it can pop causing a hemorrhage.
An AMV is a malformation of multiple connecting weaker vessels between the main arteries and the draining veins. The malformation causes an unusual high pressure to the connecting vessels which can easily develop aneurysms or can just break from too much pressure. In my case it looks like a compact birds nest made of veins and is 1 square inch in size.
Thank you Brett…Isn’t it difficult to explain to people? They just want to know, but it’s so difficult to explain how we ended up!
Whether the bleed is due to aneurysm or AVM, there are many factors affecting damage and recovery. Size, location, amount of bleed, length of bleed time . . . I’ve met people with AVM bleeds who recover quickly (or not) and people with aneurysm bleeds who also recovery quickly (or not). One major difference is that aneuryms tend to be on the surface of the brain (allowing for easier and quicker re-absorbtion of blood), while AVMs can occur deeper in the brain (causing blood to absorb less quickly and kill more tissue).
Thank you Robin! Your comment makes sense. Now when someone asks me the different between my brain damage and anothers, I will be able to explain. Again, thank you!
Weezie, aren’t there so smart folks on this site! Thank goodness for every one of them!
Thank Goodness for my AVM friends! I’ve been asked me what the issue was between my AVM and Bret Michael’s issue. Apparently I just couldn’t explain it to her correctly, as she has asked me several times. Next time she asks, I’ll be able to print your information out and hand it to her to read! Thanks everyone!
There are so many factors that come into play when it comes to recovery - whether an AVM or anneurysm. I was in ICU for 2 weeks total after my bleed, then went home and am still trying to get the little things back (but doing pretty well). The clotting covered 1/3 of my brain and the pressure pushed my brain to the other side of my head. It was big. Even the doctor didn't expect me to live. A friend of mine had an anneurysm burst 2 months ago. She is still in a coma and isn't recovering well. Can't swallow, doesn't always respond to people she knows, can't move her left side much. Mine seemed far more serious, but I got medical attention more quickly and I'm stubborn as heck - I think it's so individual. My doctor explained it to me as a mass of veins and arteries form with no capilaries in an AVM - so it's a roadblock in the blood system and looks like spaghetti. Eventually it wears out and bursts - usually several veins at a time.
Thanks Kat..From what I've learned since I sent this message..everything and everyone is different and people just shouldn't try to compair one health issue from another.
Unsure myself, good question...I think that I heard Brett Michaels had a TIA aka mini-stroke...as if anything bursting in your noggin is minor; however, the effects certainly do range if AVM or not.
Thanks, Trish...just reading all of the responses now.
I learned something new; now I get to go home...oh, wait, no I can't.
I usually describe an AVM either...
-like a stroke (but then people tend to associate it with what they know of a stroke, anyone who's had a stroke, etc.)
-a bungle of tangled veins in the brain.
Someone just posted on here about The Spoon Theory which I'd never heard of/read of, but I think that it makes sense for anyone with a disability...doesn't really explain what an AVM or aneurysm is, rather a simile? of what every day is like.
It depends on how interested the other person seems to be.
*bundle