AVM Recurrence

Posted By Kathleen W. on July 04, 1998 at 02:24:34:







Please try to answer my questions of 6/23/98.  I have looked elsewhere for the information and have been unable to get any answers.  My doctor is great - but without a license (it's been pulled because of the seizures) it is hard for me to get in to see her.  I try to be positive but these questions nag at me from time to time.  Especially when I don't feel 100%.  The questions again are:
What is the percentage of AVM recurrence?  I had an AVM resection 15 years ago, right frontal lobe.  I started having new symptoms, tingling and weakness on different areas of my left side than I ever had before, headaches, dizziness and nausea about 8 months ago.  My doctor says these are seizures even though my  EEG and Catscan are negative.  The next step is an arteriogram (I can't have an MRI because of clips).  I don't want to put my family (or myself) through the worry if one isn't necessary.  
What are the symptoms of a vein of galen aneurysm?  Post-op catscan shows I have one with calcification.
What is the life expectancy of someone who had an AVM resection who also has a current vein of galen aneurysm (even though it is small)?
I am still having bouts of dizziness - even though I have been on neurontin for these new seizures for 8 months.  Could this be due to the neurontin?
Please try to answer.  I had one doctor say to me that at least I had a good 15 years.  I am really trying to be positive but I have to admit I am concerned.
Thank you.