Hi There Everyone.
I'm a "newbie" to this forum too but have been suffering from symptoms for almost five years now. Here's my general info: I'm a married mother of 2 grown daughters whose dizziness (back & forth not spinning) and headaches began at the age of 42, visual disturbances, balance impairment and hand numbness followed within a few months, and all symptoms became chronic within 6 months (just before my 43rd birthday).
I had an MRI which showed a cavernous hemangioma deep within my cerebellum with evidence of previous bleeds. Since then I've had it suggested by an AVM neurologist that "if you don't think about the headaches they'll go away", had my driver's license suspended 2 times (no accidents - just because they were worried about my symptoms affecting my driving abilities), been turned down to recieve a partial LTD disability claim and have tried everything in the book to manage my symptoms.
I was - am supposed to be - a full time elementary teacher but now can only teach half-time and sometimes find that a struggle with my constant symptoms. This part has been the most difficult because I married and began my family young - at 20 and only became a teacher after I was a teacher's assistant for a few years. I really haven't been teaching all that long (since 1999) and my husband drives truck, so I'm not in the position to only work parttime.
I'm just so happy to find a place to talk with others who can relate. I no longer see or hear from several friends who have become freaked out by this condition and prognosis (no surgery is possible) and have found this whole thing a little surreal. So if you want to chat I'll be happy to hear from you!!!!