hrsridermom,
I am not a doctor but I asked some of those same questions to mine. He said everyone's MM is a little bit different. Everyones progression of the thinning vessels is different, and so are the surgeries. I know of at least 4 different surgeries for MMers. Depenednt on the surgery and the healthyness of the person depends on the stuff you can do, should never do, or it is not recomened but it is your choice to do.

Some people may have MM so bad that the vessel they may use to do a STA-MCA bybass is not strong enough to give the person the blood flow the doctor thaught so they may have to have another surgery and that may only be know after another TIA/Stroke.

All MMers should take care in choosing medications and activities that may cause a bad flux in the blood pressure. Also since MM is progresive MMers need to keep a watchful eye for other vessels that may need help that did not need help at the time of the surgery.

Lets take me for example: My STA-MCA bypass was supoed to be from the side of my head but during the operation they had to get one from my forhead. Also during the surgery they did not feel like the STA-MCA would give me the blood flow they thaught so I got the EMS as well. I was also told to watch my right side because there is a spot that may or maynot thin in the future. Becasue of all that I am not able to SCUBA or skydive. I don't seem to have medication, achohol, cafienee, or excersize restrictions. I am other wise perfectly healthy.

I hope this helped.
Becky

I know what you're saying Becky and Pam.  It's just so frustrating though.  Doc says "everything is great!  she can live a normal life now". Really? Than why is she lying in bed miserable, with a bad cold and I can't give her the usual meds to make her feel better! 

She had a new symptom on Monday.  she was at band practice and she said her vision got all blurry.  She said she drank plenty of water.  she sat out for a few minutes and it passed but that was scary for her.  She is still getting tingling and numbness in her hand and lots of ehadaches.  BUT her CT Angio, this summer showed that everything looked good.  SIGH!

Pam...are you going to the next get together?  We're going to try but won't know until it gets closer.  With college next year our plans will depnd on $$$.

   I know exactly how you guys feel. Kathleen is 9 yrs post surgery and I still worry. She doesn't have any major symptoms but there are lingering things that I feel I have to be careful of. The heat really wipes her out. Staying hydrated, getting enough sleep to make it through the day, and of course all the stuff from the strokes. She has a list of specialists as long as my arm.  I know for Kathleen life will never be "normal" again... BUT she's here and she's happy and she's had NO strokes or TIAs in 9 yrs so I do have lots to be thankful for. Best of all, we don't think about it daily anymore...  I think patients with moyamoya could teach some Dr.s a lot about "life with MM"
hrsridersmom, what kind of instrument does your daughter play? is it a "wind" instrument? I've heard playing this type of instrument can cause symptoms just like hyperventilating can.
Mary Grace

Our doctor also told us to avoid wind instruments, blowing up balloons and anything else that causes a decrease in carbon dioxide. Lower than normal co2 levels will cause vasoconstriction in the brains blood vessels - not good in a brain already struggling with its blood/oxygen supply.  My daughter has not had surgery however and i dont know if this holds true post op.  Hope her cold gets better soon.
best wishes
Jackie (katie's mum)