I am thinking back to when I was in my 20's and I went to the doctor because I was getting dizzy spells all the time. These dizzy spells didn't happen in the normal way like when you stood up too fast. They would just come out of no where. I could be laying down and my head would start spinning, or just sitting still and the spinning could start. I think the doctor I went to thought I was a bit crazy because he couldn't find any type of ear infection or any thing else that would normally make a person dizzy. So he ended up giving me some mood elevator medication. Since it has been so many years ago I can't remember the name of the drug. It really didn't see to help. But when I got pregnant the dizzy spells seemed to go away, But I also stopped taking the medication too. But then I started to get tingling in my hands or you could say a numbness. Which I also have read could be a symptom of AVMs. Has anyone had either of these things happen to anyone before you found out you have a AVM?
I had dizzy spells for no reason. They came and left quickly. They only lasted a few seconds something I could not explain to my doctor. The tingling and numbness in my arm came and left but never stay long. I mention it to the doctor but he never seem to be concerned about it. I was diagnosed with innere ear infection. Had I known I would have reuested an MRI. I hope this helps you.
Hi Aphrog. I've known about my avm since 1991. I didn't start having these problems till 2009. Most people find out they have an avm because they are having some problems/symptoms.
My GP still doesn’t think my frequent headaches, dizziness, tingling has anything to do with my AVM. However, she will conceed to the whooshing sound (bruit) being related. I personally believe it’s all connected.
I never had the spinning type dizzy (Virtigo), more like light headed "buzzed like" feelings that started in my late teens and 20's. I used to Scuba dive a lot back then and when I was at a certain depth I started feeling light headed and the deeper I went the worse it got. My vision went blurry around the same time and I started getting Tinnitus. These symptoms subsided for several years as I started live a less intense lower activity lifestyle and then all came back along with numbness and tingling after I started a new intense excersize routine.
Do I think these symptoms are related to the AVM? Absolutely 100% yes..
Brett, Thank you for your input about getting dizzy. I have asked my doctors about this being connected with the AVM but all I seem to get from them is there is no way of telling. Of course I understand they can't say for sure, but a maybe would of been nice. This was happening to me in the mid 70's so MRI's an CT scans were very new. Plus I didn't live that close to a big city at the time, so I doubt there was one close for him to send me too, so I'm sure that is why the doctor I went to just figured I was imagining the whole thing and put me on the mood elevator drug. I never did go to a doctor about the numbness. I do think this started my distrust of doctors. Now I only go if something is really bad. I actually just ignored it when I lost partial vision in one eye a few months ago. My vision returned to normal in a hour or so I never did anything about it. At the time I was on the computer so I was thinking it could of been from that. Staring at the screen too long. But now I think this was also a sign of the AVM.
Stephine, Thank you for your input. I have asked my doctors about this being connected with the AVM but all I seem to get from them is there is no way of telling. Of course I understand they can't say for sure, but a maybe would of been nice. Plus it could only help doctors if they knew about other synonyms to look for before a person has a bleed.
Ben, Thank you for your input. Yes, I understand now how AVM are usually found. Mine was found because of a bleed and the horrible headache it brought on. But since my doctors can't tell me if the dizziness I had back in the mid '70's could of been related to the AVM, I just want to see if anyone else had these synonyms before their AVM was found.
Maria, Thank you for your input. How long before they found your AVM did you have the the dizziness and tingling and numbness? My dizzy spells were in the mid 70's, so this was before MRI's and CT scans were the norm. My doctor then acted like he thought I was imagining things, so that is why I got the mood elevator drug.
Hay Aphrog, I have had headaches, dizzy, whooshing sound, migraines, blurry, fuzzy vision, tingling, and so tired that have to have naps etc, on and off for a lot of years,and only found out in Dec 2010, I know some people say these are not signs of AVM but it is very strange that a big majority of people with AVMs have all these or some of these symptoms. I believe they are all caused by the AVM, there is far too many of us to say other wise. I am hoping some if not all these will go after my operation.