With concerns about flying, have any of you experienced blood pressure issues with such? As explained to me, even though they consider my AVM gone, it’s still best to watch my blood pressure, in any other words, try to stay away from stressful situations.
Kell,
You have to remember each of us are different, meaning how we look at things that can be and should be different. My question was specific to a generalized thought pattern. Just basically asking how people feel about flying with an AVM or having gone through an AVM and having to fly.
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I have my AVM removed in August 2016 and I was told better not to take a flight in the first year. I still have not taken a flight, so I am very curious to know if I will feel something at all. On my last visit they told me that taking a flight would be ok and I will probably have headache due to pressure changes or something like that.
Hi,
I’m still in the gamma knife phase of my brain AVM…discovered (if that’s the right word) some two years ago, had my first and so far only gamma knife in March 2016, my 2017 check-up went well (it’s still there, but a bit smaller and a bit more closed off) and I’m expecting my next one in April. I didn’t fly the first year at all, but after the positive 2017 check-up I went to UK a few times and flew to Sardegna for my summer vacation…all pretty short flights (3 hours max), but no problems whatsoever so far. I helps that being on a plane is the same as being on a bus to me, no added stress or anything. And luckily the attitude does nothing to me either 
so yeah, was a bit iffy about it at first, but took a really short flight first and since it went well I keep in doing it.
Hope it helps.
Best of luck!
I think you’ll be ok. I was actually flown to the hospital when my brain AVM rupture happened. After my surgery the doctors said flying wouldn’t cause anything to happen. I flew a year after my first surgery to a family wedding. The only blood pressure issues I had were when I was switched to keppra. It caused my blood pressure to be a little low. But that was one of the side effects of the pill. My body got over it after a month.
I had by “brain bleed” following my AVM burst several years ago.
I flew virtually from coast to coast on an airliner within a year of
my rupture, and did not have a single problem. Flew back a week after
also. But it is true that every case is a little different, so if in doubt
ask your doctor.
I agree that every case is different and that you should ask your neurologist.I had my surgery in 1998 using an embolization. Did you have a fear of flying before your AVM rupture? If not, I wouldn’t think it to be a problem. I have flown coast-to-coast and internationally with no ill effects. I take a low dose 2.5 mg of Ramipril, a blood pressure medication, but that is not related to my AVM surgery. I took Keppra some years after my AVM repair but then my neurologist switched me to Lamictal.
I had a rupture and have flew several times with no issues but everyone is different
Hi!!! I had a rupture and Gamma Knife surgery in September of 2016 and in a year and a half I have flown twice since. I felt perfectly normal and everything went great. My next vacation is booked for April 21st of this year- Just make sure to talk to your doctor/surgeon to make sure you are okay. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Every situation is different.
Also, ALWAYS make sure you have traveller medical insurance wherever you go!
xo!
flying doesn’t cause intracranial pressure that would be of concerning enough in regards to venous ruptures. having a history of cerebral hemorrhage(s), aneurysm(s) don’t exclude someone from flying safely. besides staying relaxed, use a low dose sedative safely if you can and you should be all good. I’ve been flying for 7 yrs after 2 craniotomies and an embolization.