I recently found out that my avm in my brain has grown from 1 cm to 1 1/2 cm just in the last year. Has anyone else had this happen, and if so, what did you do about it?
Thanks.
Hi Momof5,
I think it was a two or a three year time frame (I don't remember) when mine grew. Mine went from 3cm to 5cm. I knew about mine for 16 years (at 3cm) before it started to give me trouble. So, from 1991 to January of 2007, I had no problems from it. At the end of January (2007) I started to have problems and we did an MRI and that showed it grew to 5cm. I think the last MRI that was done before that was in 2005 and it was 3cm back then.
So Yea. They can grow or expand as some would say. Since your's grew 1/2 cm in a years time. I would most definitely have your dr. keep an eye on it. Perhaps an MRI every 3 or 4 months? That will tell you if still growing or if it stopped.
I don't know what causes them to grow but, they can. The two small ones I have left grew a couple millimeters each, since last year. Does it scare me? It sure does! So much I don't even talk about it. I haven't even told my friends or my family and I've known about it for 7 months now,... I think(?) My memory fails me a lot. Which is why I keep good records to keep track of things.. ha ha
Ben
I just read your profile. Don't EVER believe a dr when they say "forget you know about it and we'll just keep an eye on it." That's BULL...! Even the smallest of AVMs are just as nasty as having aneurysm. Forgive me if I sound blunt. But, what that dr. told you makes me angry. I've dealt with dr.s like that before and I have no problem educating them about avms and the risks of having one. My avm specialist that I saw (Dr. Lunsford) made sure he educated me very well about brain avms. I think he did that because I was refusing his treatment of G.K. at the time and he was trying to talk me into it. Even back then (1991) I was at a 50/50 chance of it bleeding. Yea,.. I'm not a good patient. Hee Hee
Find yourself a hospital that has a team of dr.s who specialize in AVMs and the G.K., and you will be in much better hands. It's just my opinion. But,... it comes with experience (smiles).
I apologize for my bluntness but, stupid dr.s just upset me. Rrrr... (laughing)
Ben :)