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Permalink Reply by Kim P. on February 2, 2011 at 2:20am

Ben,

 

These are my best guesses. The AVM is taking up space it shouldn't and compressing 'normal' tissue, which with brain tissue, it tends to swell in defense. Not too smart for brain tissue as it has a finite amout of space to live in. Of course blood is an irritant to brain tissue, so it again swells when irritated. My AVM happens to be within my spinal cord at the base of my brain down to C2. My spinal cord is swollen and protuding. That area of the spinal cord houses all those important nerves and such that regulates breathing, respiation, body temp. and such. So when that area is swollen and the flow of the cerebral spinal fluid hindered, well there's yet another way for headaches to get a free ticket to ride.

 

From what I understand, brain tissue has no pain sensors so how we feel pain in our brains is beyond me. Must be it borrows pain sensors from neighboring structures just so it doesn't feel alone when it's irritated and or compressed.

 

Don't worry, I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night so you can be rest assured everything above is probably exactly how Mayo Clinic would present it.

 

Keep your chin up, or down, which ever way helps,

Kim

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Permalink Reply by Kim P. on February 2, 2011 at 2:33am

I tried to edit and correct my 9 or so typos about 4 times, but it wouldn't let me. Oh well, this way you'll know I'm drain bamaged. :)~

 

Kim

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Permalink Reply by Crystal Gonzalez on February 2, 2011 at 10:22am

Hey Ben,

 

I have felt the same way for over 5 years. My Migraines have not gotten any easier. And i noticed that my migraines get worst when i am excited, arguing, crying too much, emotionally stresses, and when the weather gets either to hot or to cold. i think we get them so often because the blood pressure rises to the AVM and is compressed there and cant escape that area of the brain and forces pain to our brain.

 

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Permalink Reply by Carrie A. Neff on March 8, 2011 at 1:52am

This is totally how I would explain how/when my headaches are irritated as well...

Crystal Gonzalez said:

Hey Ben,

 

I have felt the same way for over 5 years. My Migraines have not gotten any easier. And i noticed that my migraines get worst when i am excited, arguing, crying too much, emotionally stresses, and when the weather gets either to hot or to cold. i think we get them so often because the blood pressure rises to the AVM and is compressed there and cant escape that area of the brain and forces pain to our brain.

 

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Permalink Reply by Ben Morrell on February 2, 2011 at 1:01pm

 Thank you for your responses.    They both make good sense.   if I could only find a way to better control them. Hmm.

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Permalink Reply by Crystal Gonzalez on February 2, 2011 at 3:28pm

try meditation and practice certain arts of breathing. Anything that controls the blood rush to you brain.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Morrell on February 2, 2011 at 8:12pm

     Crystal,  I think you just slapped me on the back of my head (as a reminder).  LOL     I use to meditate daily and I have gotten away from that.  Thank you very much!!!!   I'm a reiki practitioner and I reiki myself daily but,  I haven't done any other types of meditation in quite some time now.    Boy,... am I glad you brought this up!  :)

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Lamb on February 2, 2011 at 10:45pm

Ben,

 

The "best" explanation I have received is increased pressure in the are (vague I know). I never associated my migraines with my AVM (even after finding out), and the doctors told me they could or could not be related. But I went 9 month's headache/migraine free (after 11 straight years of headaches), once I hade the embo (will to be exact a few month's later). One the AVM became "active" again, my headaches returned daily...........so I guess increased pressure doesn't seem to far fetched! I hope once they finally obliterate this thing my headaches go away for good (that would be a joyous day!)

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Permalink Reply by Crystal Gonzalez on February 3, 2011 at 12:22pm

No problem BEn!! Let us all enjoy the nature and beauty of life =)

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Permalink Reply by Jessica Ables on February 3, 2011 at 7:17pm

I have to agree with crystal's response. My docs told me as well that temperatures (both extreme hots and colds) can affect AVM's. Stress plays a very important role as well (blood pressure), and the foods we eat. I hope this helps a bit

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Permalink Reply by Laine Hudson on March 15, 2011 at 7:16am

Hi everyone. I don't have migraines but I do have a 'hot poker" stuck in my left temporal lobe. It ranges from its usual  "red hot" to "white hot"  depending on what is going on, i.e. changes in barometer, multiple conversations going on around me, certain visuals (that flashing i-pod commercial a couple of years ago would send it to "white" and a seizure if I wasn't fast enough), stress is high on the list too plus some other things. It is also a precursor (sp?) to a seizure at times (and definately after) and is accompanied by my dog's licking and licking and licking of my left eye and temple. Sometimes it takes a full body hug of the 100 lb bear to get him to stop. It is almost as if he feels that I am safe if I am holding on to him like that. Anyway, it is a long story made very short as I have to go. Thanks for the "ears".

Laine

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Permalink Reply by Caity F. on March 15, 2011 at 10:10pm

Hey Ben,
Random things set my migraines off. Normally it will be walking outside when the sun is really bright, looking at an electronic device to long, strong smells, or just having my daily routine messed with. I'm on the
lucky side because they never tend to last
to long, but I always get very nauseous when I have them. The only that I have come up with to make them go away are sitting in a dark quiet room, with a cold wet face cloth over my eyes. I almost always end up throwing up, but once that happens the pressure in my head is relieved.

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