Hi yall, I’m Armand (30 they/she). I made an account here but forgot to actually make an introduction. I was recently diagnosed with an AVM after having a seizure in June 2024. It is a grade 4 AVM measuring 3.9cm located in my left frontal operculum. Due to the area it is effecting and the size, my only option is GK surgery. I’ll be moving forward with 1 of 2 (potentially 3) treatments in December 23rd. I didn’t want to risk associated with the AVM popping off overtime since I am young. I am mostly worried about the recovery process of GK and the possibility of a return. Any encouraging words from folks would be welcome! I love that this forum exists. 
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Hi Armand and welcome! Great you found us, but too bad you were looking! I had a left temporal AVM that showed itself when I was 48 via bleed. Ultimately I had gamma knife and it is obliterated. A little scar tissue left behind. I have been on Keppra since January 23 when I had a seizure, the one and only one. Any specific question, feel free to fire away! We have a ton of experience here and a great group of folks who share openly on their journeys, while we are all different we do share many points as we try to understand. Take Care, John.
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Hi Armand. Welcome to our club. My AVM was discovered in 2018 after a seizure while working out at the gym. It was in a similar location and about the same size as yours. Since I probably had it for over 65 years, they decided to monitor it. In the next two years I had two more seizures and then a bleed in 2020. They did GK surgery in December 2020. I will have an MRI next month to check on the progress, but I’m told that it is shrinking and headed to obliteration (but nothing is certain). It will just take a little longer than everyone had hoped. I’ve had no side effects form the surgery except lightheadedness when I lift too much weight. I’m limited to 15 lbs. I also cannot ski, run or do any activity that would take my blood pressure over 140. I’m sure most of those restriction are due to the stroke/bleed. I take Keppra daily.
Good luck to you . There are as many different stories as there are AVM survivors. Hopefully you will find some of them useful.
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