just curious how often anyone else gets MRI or angio after their bleed? it has been 10 years for me and i think i’m going every 3 years or so.
Hi Julie, I had an MRI-A a couple weeks back and this was 3 months after my CyberKnife treatment and 7 months after my first and only bleed back in Feb of this year. I’m currently scheduled for an Angio next September, however, I am in the process of seeking a second opinion for my longer term follow-up/treatment plan. Every 3 years seems like a long time to go without any kind of monitoring or follow-up. At a minimum, I would think someone with an active AVM should be checked yearly. If you don’t mind me asking, what kind of treatment have you had with your AVM?
/Michele
Hi Michelle, I had gamma-knife and followed up annually for several years. Last time i went, I was given the option to only follow up if i had any problems, continue annually, or space it out a few years so I think that’s how we came up with 3 years.
See. while the gamma-knife improved the blood flow, it did not obliterate the AVM.
I meet with the radiation oncologist that performed the gamma-knife and I also wonder if I should be following up with a neurologist instead. I don’t even have a neurologist anymore.
My MRI is actually in just a few weeks so that’s kinda what prompted my discussion…at that time we’ll determine the next follow up.
Thanks for your input!
Hi Julie,
My bleed was in 2002, and since the discovery of the AVM in 2006 I am on a schedule of having angios, and embos as needed, every three years. They also usually do MRIs when they do those procedures. In between I have an MRI done through my local neurologist at the 18 month midpoint.
Tori