# Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [October 4, 2012, 9:09pm UTC](https://avmsurvivors.org/t/questions/3509 "2012-10-04T21:09:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![scooterbyrd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/avmsurvivors.org/scooterbyrd/32/4169_2.png) [@scooterbyrd](https://avmsurvivors.org/u/scooterbyrd)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 9:09pm UTC](https://avmsurvivors.org/t/questions/3509/1 "2012-10-04T21:09:40Z")
What is a "bleed", as compared to a stroke? Are they the same thing? I had a stroke from bleeding, and the dr thinks I had a slow leak starting a few months ago. Since the clot in my brain was blocking their view, they can't even see what exactly is going on, but they are almost certain it is/was avm. Another question I have is does a stroke always obliterate an avm? Is it possible to have an avm, stroke out and the avm not obliterate? I'm scared I might have to continue to deal with this. I just saw my dr yesterday, but didn't know what an avm was to ask the right questions. He said he felt it was a one time event, so he must think it obliterated. I guess I will find out for sure in a couple of weeks, but I am consumed with anxiety in the mean time. Thanks in advance for any responses. Scooterbyrd Kat ---
**Author:** ![Barbara\_H](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/avmsurvivors.org/barbara_h/32/2062_2.png) [@Barbara\_H](https://avmsurvivors.org/u/Barbara_H)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://avmsurvivors.org/t/questions/3509/2 "2012-10-04T21:31:42Z")
Hi Kat. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures. Two types of weakened blood vessels usually cause hemorrhagic stroke: aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Unfortunately, having a bleed does not usually obliterate an AVM. The best way to tell if an AVM is gone is withe a test called an angiogram. Hope this info helps. ---
**Author:** ![William](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/avmsurvivors.org/william/32/1728_2.png) [@William](https://avmsurvivors.org/u/William)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://avmsurvivors.org/t/questions/3509/3 "2012-10-04T21:41:52Z")
Scooterbyrd,... I actually have the same questions. When attempting to explain my condition to others (that need to know), I generally use the AVM "brain bleed" or intracranial hemorrhage. Then again I have used the explanation of having a brain/cerebral stroke. I would say, that when I attempt to give a response to my condition I guess I try to use the best and sometimes most simple reply (pending upon whom is questioning me). When discussing my condition with my neurosurgeon and neurologist I try to communicate on a professional level, if it is a discussion with family and or friends, I keep it simple. Your question is a good one. Maybe there is someone else that can comment and add a good and proper answer. Here are a few "links" that will hopefully give you a better understanding of each condition. The first two deal with a Cerebral AVM. Where the third is definitive for a stroke. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral\_arteriovenous\_malformation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_arteriovenous_malformation) [http://stroke.about.com/od/causesofstroke/a/AVM.htm](http://stroke.about.com/od/causesofstroke/a/AVM.htm) [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral\_stroke](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_stroke) Your friend,... William ---
**Author:** ![Trish](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/avmsurvivors.org/trish/32/574_2.png) [@Trish](https://avmsurvivors.org/u/Trish)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://avmsurvivors.org/t/questions/3509/4 "2012-10-05T13:29:17Z")
Barbara is exactly right. A bleed from an AVM is considered a hemorrhagic stroke.The more common type of stroke is a Ischemic stroke. That is from a blockage. And no, most AVMs are not obliterated by a bleed. After my bleed, I had a craniotomy to remove mine. ---
**Author:** ![Ben\_Mrl](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/avmsurvivors.org/ben_mrl/32/1673_2.png) [@Ben\_Mrl](https://avmsurvivors.org/u/Ben_Mrl)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://avmsurvivors.org/t/questions/3509/5 "2012-10-05T16:45:48Z")
Hi Scooterbyrd, I had a bleed once and the dr. described to me as blood seeped out through a blood vessel (in my case). It didn't rupture, it simply seeped out and healed by itself. Since an avm blood vessel is thinner and weaker than a healthy blood vessel, I could see where this could happen. A "rupture" is when a blood vessel or artery actually breaks. Which in turn will cause more damage. Hence, a stroke or similar symptoms. When mine bled, I just had a migraine for a few days. And then I was good again. I'm certain the location of one's avm has a lot to do with what they may experience. I do know that a migraine headache is one of the main symptoms. I've never heard of a stroke obliterating an avm. But, an MRI or an angiogram could tell you for certain if it did. Stranger things have been known to happened (wink). Ben ---
**Author:** ![FrodoBob](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/avmsurvivors.org/frodobob/32/3999_2.png) [@FrodoBob](https://avmsurvivors.org/u/FrodoBob)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://avmsurvivors.org/t/questions/3509/6 "2012-10-05T16:54:51Z")
Hi Scooter My AVM caused an hemorrhagic stroke, it took multiple types of emoblizations and the Gamma Knife to remove the AVM completely. my experience was okay I'm recovering well. I started learning Tai Chi to deal with Anxiety. I always get a second opinion, it helps me deal with the situation. ---
**Author:** ![scooterbyrd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/avmsurvivors.org/scooterbyrd/32/4169_2.png) [@scooterbyrd](https://avmsurvivors.org/u/scooterbyrd)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://avmsurvivors.org/t/questions/3509/7 "2012-10-05T20:22:18Z")
Thanks for all the info, friends. I will post once I get the verdict from the CT scan. I have to get an angiogram in five months and am dreading it. But things could be so much worse. I am grateful that may be all I have to endure. I've been reading older posts and avm survivors are so brave and supporting.