Hi everyone. I am new to this forum, and glad found it!
My question is this. I have been suffering with headaches/migraines all my life and most recently increased dizziness. I have recently been diagnosed with an AVM in the left frontal lobe. My local neurologist said that they have nothing to do with eachother and that the headaches and dizziness are "just you". I really don't agree with him, and was wondering what everyone who actually has an AVM, thinks.
I am waiting to see the doctors at Toronto Western hospital for possible treatment options.
"Just you" sounds like a terrible explanation! Even though neurologists are specialists, they don't always know enough about AVMs. Neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists who specialize in AVMs are the ones who can figure out what's going on. It sounds like that's who you're going to see next, so let's hope you're on your way to having a better explanation.
If they can't offer a clear explanation, one thing you might want to ask about is the "steal" phenomenon. Our neurologist said that AVMs "steal" blood flow from the rest of the brain, and this can cause all kinds of unexpected symptoms that aren't necessarily related to the lobe where the AVM is. Treating the AVM allows more blood to flow to the rest of the brain, which can improve a lot of things that you might not have expected to improve. JH
Hi Gina... I have much the same story... have had headaches for as along as I can remember, every day... wake up with them. Was diagnosed in Sept. 2010 with AVM in motor cortex. Heading to Toronto Western this Friday to have it removed. Had embolization in May with some success (AVM is smaller) so now they are going to remove it surgically.
I have AVM in my left frontal lobe and I have head aches and vertigo. I will say I didn't have significant symptoms until after my bleed and Gamma Knife. I would definitely seek more information and possibly a second opinion. Not many have experience with AVM. How could they with it being so rare. There are specialists around you just have to seek them out. I am sure people here nearer to you could connect you with someone. Good luck and I hope you get the information you need and are AVM free soon!
My AVM was in the rt front lobe. When I get headaches which is not often thankfully, the dizzyness or a more accurate way of explaining how I feel “buzzed” like I’ve had a cocktail or two comes with it.