AVMs - scuba diving since brain haemorrhage?

[Smilerdi]

Has anyone tried scuba diving since their brain hemorrhage? I had a brain haemorrhage caused by a burst arterior venous malformation(AVM). I underwent 2 lots of Gamma Knife surgery and 6 years later got the all clear that my

Brain was an AVM free zone!

I’ve more recently been advised that I have the rare condition HHT (Hereditary haemorrhagic telangctasia ), which means I could have AVMs in numerous blood vessels in other parts of the body.

I’m keen to try scuba diving and wondered if anyone has tried scuba since their brain injury, and whether any side effects had occurred?

Would really appreciate any feedback .

Thanks so much

[maureen103]

I was told after my SAH that I was not to scuba dive. But mine was caused by a ruptured aneurysm and I have another untreated one so different circumstances. I assumed that it was to do with pressure changes but I don't really know. It is worth checking out though as scuba diving is so much fun. I wish you luck. Love Maureen

[ErinSAH]

I had a haemorrhage and iv been scuba diving in Italy since. I got lessons and started all over again as I’d been before. It took me a while and was a bit nervous but was absolutely fine and really enjoyed it. I had no aneurysm, just a bleed for my brain injury.

Although I would check first with the doctor just incase.

[dbyeti]

Have you tried other things like swimming under water or diving (i.e. diving from the side of the water or from a diving platform, that is) to see how that goes ? My husband used to do scuba diving, lots of swimming and other diving. He actually gave up scuba diving a few years ago for other reasons before his two AVMs (because one wasn't enough?!), but tried diving into the water two years after his last AVM and regretted it. He said his vision went weird, and he had problems swimming back to land. I know it's not the same as it may have been more his head hitting the water hard, then anything to do with pressure. Perhaps something to try, though- find a swimming pool With a deep end and just dive to the bottom and see how it goes. Even without the other reasons for giving up scuba, I doubt he would do it because of the AVMs.

[Matt2584]

Hi,

I haven’t actually had an AVM. I had a brain tumour and hydrocephalus so I have a shunt to drain the CSF.

I have also had a haemorrhage due to an operation on my shunt.

I have been told by my doctors that I should not do any deep sea diving as this will cause pressure to the shunt.

I actually feel I should not do any diving at all. Deep diving or shallow.

Not exactly AVM related but I thought I should throw that one out there :).

[moo196]

Hi,

Heights and depths were the only things I were told to avoid after my brain illness.... So no scuba diving allowed.

Check out the medical advice before you go and I hope you find an alternative if the answer is negative.

Good luck!

[Smilerdi in reply to moo196]

Thanks so much to all for your helpful replies 👍😉. Hope you all have a great day.

[fourny]

I had an AVM removed 21 april 2021 an was diving again in July, it took time to build my confidance back 40 feet seemed deep after a surgery like that. I am currently diving over 125 feet deep on a regular basis now, every weekend we dive. starting depth can very normally our first dive of the day is never less than a 115ft no more than 130 ft deep