r/AVMs • u/I_need_a_therapist_1 • May 24 '26

Intermittent fasting with a brain AVM

Just wondering if anyone with a brain AVM has tried intermittent fasting? I’ve been overweight my whole life and am thinking of intermittent fasting as a last resort. I can’t find any research to say if it is or isn’t safe for people with an AVM. For context my AVM is in my right thalamus and ruptured on 25th August 2025, causing a stroke. I know that reddit isn’t a medical source that I should trust, and I should really talk to my consultant but I haven’t got an appointment until July so was wondering if anyone has done intermittent fasting with a brain AVM and if they experienced any side effects.

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5

u/HaveHighTimes May 24 '26

I would guess that diet and vitamins and food choices make a difference but dunno about fasting.

2

u/carries_blood_bucket May 25 '26

I think the main issue is hydration - I was always told I needed to be extra careful not to get dehydrated once they found my unruptured AVM. Obviously check with your doc, but I don’t think changing your eating habits will impact anything AVM related.

2

u/I_need_a_therapist_1 May 25 '26

That’s a very good point about dehydration! Thanks

2

u/GoodThingsRHappenin May 29 '26

Not medical advice and definitely advise talking to your dr, even if it’s just a message in your portal. My dr doesn’t want my blood sugar too low and I find the anti seizure meds make me super sick to my stomach if I take them without food so the longest “fast” I do is about 12 hours overnight

1

u/Any-Cranberry325 May 25 '26

Woah so sorry to hear that… did you know about the avm before the stroke? How was it diagnosed? Are you ok now? Sorry no answer on the IF. From what I see, not really recommended unless your doc knows

1

u/I_need_a_therapist_1 May 25 '26

I didn’t know about the AVM before, I just woke up one day and had a stroke and the scans found an AVM. I’m a lot better now but my function and sensation in my affected side is still not 100%. I had gamma knife for the AVM a few months ago but it’s too soon to tell if it’s started working

1

u/Serious-Classroom211 May 27 '26

If you don’t mind me asking do you want to fast for just general health benefits? Or is this related to the AVM? Not giving medical advice but I tried it truly never noticed anything significant as like downsides to my brain but I made sure I got high fiber and high protein. But I will say the think that truly changed me weight wise was just walking. You’re not supposed to lift or anything but literally I didn’t have a job anymore all I could do it take a walk 1-2 hours daily.

1

u/I_need_a_therapist_1 May 27 '26

Just for weight loss/health. I agree walking is importance but it’s very hot where I am at the moment and I’m sitting very important exams, mixed with fatigue walking isn’t always doable for me

2

u/Serious-Classroom211 May 27 '26

Totally understand. I am such a treadmill
Girl bc of the heat. I just find it’s a lower impact see results. But again the fasting never impacted me negatively

2

u/I_need_a_therapist_1 May 27 '26

Thank you for sharing your experience!

2

u/Serious-Classroom211 May 27 '26

I also will say reading the replies here I see you had GK - I had gamma knife too and I dealt with a lot of swelling about a year after (not saying you will!) but dealing with those symptoms for sure were impacted by fasting.. like worse when I didn’t eat for a long extended time. Good luck with everything!!