Terrible Headaches w/ sinus cyst

[shaynandzeke]

I have been suffering w/ a terrible headache for three weeks.  I spent the last week in the hospital and doctors found all teswt (CT, MRA, MRI and bloodwork) to be normal.  I have neck pain, vision and hearing problems, dizziness, numbness and tigling in the left side.  I went to my PC and he said they did see a cyst in my sinus cavity.  I knew it was there because of prior scans, but was told it was not a big deal.  He said I sould see an ENT.  I did last year and was told to use nose sprays to dry it up which did not work.  Now the cyst is severe and takes up my entire left sinus cavity.  I want to take all my scans to my ENT (which I have an appt with next week) and say I am miserable and here is why when can you remove this?!  I feel it has been this sinus issue that has plagued me for years.  My question is am I over reacting?  Should I rush surgery or wait?  My headaches are still prestent and cannot be tollerated without barbituates or narcotics.  I don't want to take these foever.  Please help!!

[BondyinOz]

OMG - I have cysts in my maxillary sinus and have been quite unwell for 6 months. I have heaps of symptoms but they include the ones you've mentioned: neck pain, vision and hearing problems (although they're ok apparently), dizziness/vertigo, numbness and tingling in my fingers and toes (mostly on left side). I can't believe it's taking up the whole left sinus cavity!!! If it were me I'd have the surgery immediately - if I could get mine removed I would! I have yet to see an ENT (Dec) and am going to a Neuro next month for those and other symptoms.
Keep me informed!

[coco91932]

I can't believe that I was able to find this sight and your posts.  I am having all of the same symptoms that you mention, but my right side is numb instead of my left.  I also had an MRI and they found that I had sinusitis and a sinuscyst.  I was convinced I had had a stroke or M.S.  Is it possible that this cysts is really causing all of those problems?  I have to say that I truly hope so, and if so, I will gladly have it removed.  

[coco91932]

I notice that these were posted in Oct 2007.  Have you since had the cysts removed and what was the outcome of all of your tests?

[BondyinOz]

Hi there,

I'm glad you found the site too! I didn't get my cysts removed - I was told to 'blast it' with antibiotics and a steroid nasal spray (Nasonex - one of the best apparently), which I did and it seemed to work. However I was really ill for 9 months (April-Dec) and am still battling to get there some days. A lot of my symptoms have disappeared. I am still left with memory problems, fatigue (although not as bad) and hearing problems.

I never did get to that ENT - they cancelled my appointment and so I never made another one. I did go to the Neurologist and he was not impressed with me. He did send me for the MRI which came up clear for any bad stuff, which he figured it would.

I'm now having more problems with my Endometriosis and am having surgery for that in September.

Let me know how you go and what your doctors say. If your doctor says the cysts could be removed, defnitely do it! It'll save months of problems!

Mel :-)

[BnceAsh]

My daughter is 13 and for the past 2 1/2 weeks she's been having very bad migraines. It was on the top of her head and has since moved to the forehead. She's missed alot of school due to not being able to focus and getting nauseated. She had an xray on her head and it showed a cyst in her left sinus. We have an appointment at the ENT specialist for the cyst and her doctor is trying to get her in to the neurologist but he is out of town till monday. In the meantime, she is miserable. I don't know what else to do. I was going to try to take her to the ER in hopes of getting a CT scan. Any suggestions? I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks so much in advance.

[tomsant]

Lets get this aligned. She is 13 and has a headache (?"migraines") for two and half weeks. The headache started in the 'top' of the head and has moved to the forehead. Had some problem with vision (focusing), and had nausea and hence has missed school.

The headache has to be evaluated first by an Eye specialist.

A cyst (you said in the left sinus; may be maxillary sinus) is not an unusual finding in sinus X-rays and may not be responsible for the headache.

Best rgds,
Thomas Antony

[Dont_tick_me_off]

hey y'all... wow, very interesting. Making a long story short. It is believed that i was bitten by a tick 7 years ago. I have had sinus issues (infections, allergies, fatigue, ear problems, etc.) for the past couple of year. approx. 4 years. I have been going through test after test, CT scan, MRI's (of my head and spine) and many and i mean MANY blood tests. I have seen A Neurologist, Nerve Specialist, Lyme Literate MD and in two weeks a ENT (this will be my 2nd ENT that i will be seeing). Through my MRI they found both of my maxillary sinus' have cycts. My Lyme doctor believes alot of my head symptoms including, ear pain, head aches, jaw pain, red eyes, vision problems are due to these sinus cysts. He also believes the Lyme infection is the cause of these cysts.  Im not sure if they are going to want to remove them, but i have tried everything from nasonex to antibiotics for treatment. I want to hear if anyone has had them removed and if it has been sucessful for them.

[Xena777]

Wow I finaly found others that are having problems with cysts.  Listen to my story.  I have had sinus surgery 3 times now for rt side sinus cysts.  There were multiple cysts covering my entire cavity.  Excrutiating facial pain, headaches,nausea,ear pain only on R side of head.  They have returned every time I had surgery.  Now I know I have it again.  I am desperate and at my wits end.  I have spent thousands and my insurance won't cover it anymore!!  I have been treated with antibiotics, nasonex, sinus meds that wire you but do no good.  These doctors don't know nothing.  They don't know why I have them or why they keep coming back.  Recently I've been getting tingling in my fingers and toes.
  I am now seeing a Holistic Doctor.  He is trying to get to the bottom of it.  He feels it may be an immune system problem.   I am going through tests presently.  All I know is my hormones are out of whack.
I hope I can help someone else if I find out what is going on.
I also know these surgeons don't know anything.  The first surgeon I went to said alot of people are walking around with them, asymptomatic.  I don't believe it.  It all started with a terrible sinusitis, then the headaches. How could you not have symptoms!!!

[alicias01]

I'm so happy to have found this post...I was starting to think I was going crazy. I have been having bad headaches off and on all year, but for the past month they have been severe. They were starting in my eye/sinus area, and I would get pain in my neck, nauseous, dizzy to the point of fall down, and migraine symptoms (sensitive to light). I have been to the doctor so many times and no medications are working, they have tried every migraine medication they can think of, Tylenol 3, etc. nothing works to take away the pain. I just have to sleep so I don't feel it. I recently had a ct scan done and they said I have a sinus cyst, but its nothing to worry about. Is this what is causing all of the pain?! I cannot operator with this pain and I need to work and go about my normal routines. Has anyone found anything else out, as these doctors seem like they don't believe me and I know that I am still in a lot of pain.

[gmwaremu]

I cannot add much to the list of symptoms found here.  but i can confirm for many of you that these are real symptoms.  i started having ear pain and problems with my hearing almost 2 years ago.  Over time the symptoms have increased to include headaches, memory loss, loss of concentration, and most recently migraine like symptoms of dizziness and nausia.  i stumbled and fell recently and could not regain my balance so i finally put all these symptoms together for a trip to the doctor.  She did an eeg and a ct scan to check for epileptic seizures.  the results were startling to me.  I have not had any significant problems with sinus or allergy suffering.  however, she told me the tests showed significant thickening of my sinus walls as well as polyps and cysts.  I was suprised to find that all of these symptoms were the result of inflammation and infection in the sinuses.  i am starting antibiotics and nasal spray today and hope that over time I will have some relief from these symptoms.  if anyone has had a success story with treatment please leave a post.  i have read alot about the suffering and little about a cure or treatment.  thanks for reading    Good luck to all with your recovery.

[rossiefelicia]

Two weeks ago today, I awoke with a touch of nausea, then before I knew it I vomited just a sm amt (sorry 4 being graphic :) Immediately afterward, I had a sudden severe headPAIN that brought me to my knees. This con't the next 3 mornings minus the vomiting but with a little nausea, during this 30 mins-hour long period of agony, the pain is unbearable to the point where I CAN"T be still; tossing, turning, rocking back&forth, crying out, etc etc!!! Had a CT the MD said was neg, I have appt w/ MD this Friday. Any suggestions as to what i should ask the dr?                                                                                                                                                                                              

[Susant8]

I have a cyst in my left sinus, I have had this for 1 1/2 years I am surposed to have it removed in March. The surgery has already been cancelled once.  I was wondering if anyone has dry eyes or different eye problems?  My eyes have been very bad since I was found to have a cyst, I did not think that there was a connection.  I have also been very tired, forgetfull, I gained weight, I have numbness in my tonge and face, I find it hard to swollow and breathe at night.  I had my thyroid checked.  My doctor thought that these symptoms were not related to the cyst.  Has anyone had these symptoms, especially the dry eye?

[Lobanclan]

My problems started about two years ago with a heavy feeling in my right ear, followed my a feeling of blockage and eventually definite hearing loss. Went to the Doc, they cleaned my ear, no actual blockage so this did not help, after 3 visits they refered me to an ENT. the ENT gave me some test, physical, then went to blood work and a CT scan all of which were considerd normal, they followed up with a hearing test which showed a significant difference inbetween ears for ability, IE not my imagination. He told me he did not know why and said it was maybe Menieres Disease but I wasn't suffering from Verdigo, He recommended a water pill and low salt diet. I went to see an Allergist who told me to try Alegra and Flonase, I have been on this concoction for about 9 months now and is does help is I use the max on the flownase and take two Alegra a day, so both twice a day. Recently I started haveing dizzy spells, figured I was fatigued, then sinus head aches, last week at work I got Verdigo so bad I could barely walk causing me to get dizzier and eventually get sick. They rushed me to the ER I thought I was having a stroke because my left hand got numb. I was confused and very frightened, EKG and another CT two pints of fluid, they release with with no explanation, I was feeling much better. A follow up with my GP he tells me I have what you all have , some sort of Sinus Cyst, so here I am taking Meclizine (Dramamine) for dizzy spells, pounding the Allergy meds and Steroids, waiting for an ENT visit to discuss what to do next. I will be back to post later, thanks for listening. Ken

[Susant8]

Did your doctor tell you that the dizzy spells and the numbness were caused by the cyst?

[DKrayzie]

I'm glad to find some other people dealing with some of the same things i have been dealing with. For the last 7 months I have not felt well at all. It all started with a very excruciating eye pain above and behind my left eye while driving through the mountains, ears where popping due to the altitude change. After the pain went away I had a diffuse headache that would not go away, 1st doctor i saw thought it was inflammation and put me on predneson and that did not do anything. 2nd doctor did sinus x-rays and saw fluid in my right maxillary sinus and put me on Flonase, still had the headache and starting having vision problems with both eyes. I saw my optometrist and he found nothing wrong but increased the prescription of my contacts for my right eye, and he referred me to a general physican since i did not have one yet. So i saw this doctor who also thought it was sinus related and put me on Lexapro for anxiety, Nasacort nasal spray and Augmentin (amoxicillin), well the augmentin caused an intestinal infection and colitis which i still have trouble with and the headache was still there.

I also started having tingling in my arms and legs and they would fall asleep very easily at night and would have other weird sensations, a pain in the back of me left leg, chest pains, ringing in my ears, more vision problems. I saw a cardiologist and they did an ultrasound and a bunch of other tests, a neurologist ran a nerve conduction test, and MRI and tons of blood work and did not find anything. 7 months later and a number of visits to my general physician and headache still has not gone away and now i am having numbness on the left side of my forehead the neurologist has referred me to a Rheumatologists in two days, so i picked up my records to bring to that doctor and it was the first time i was able to actually rad everything myself and saw on the MRI report that I have a 1.4cm retention cyst in my left maxillary sinus. No one has mentioned that to me before, and to me that seems like something that would cause some problems. I was terrified i had an aneurysm or MS both were negative in the MRI.  I wonder if this cyst is the source of all my problems, maybe with a little anxiety adding to the problem making everything feel worse.

[CattSmiles]

Please check out NRT and Elderberry extract.....It works!!  I just got out of "Hell"-10 years, (my entire 20's), and now Im well and kicking and most of all happy, so much so I am training, while I teach HS, to be a NRT Specialist on the side.  Good Luck!!-(Elderberry shrinks tumors, cysts and polyps!)My ENT could not wrap his head around it...it totally cleared, a surgery bound sinus, up...totally clear.
Catherine

[meddude]

I have had headaches on my right side for 2 years, swelling and pressure in my head and especially on the right side of the forehead.  I've had swelling in my throat at the top soft area up behind my hard pallette.  I get dizzy, tired, nausiated, and it gets worse when I eat products with soy, including soybean oil and lethicin, which is not even considered an "allergy" because an allergy can only be to a "protein" not to an oil.  When I take Ibuprophen or other anti-inflamatories like salmon oil capsules I felt a lot better for 5 hours.  After many doctors thinking I was just looking for drugs, or I was imagining it, I was enough of a thorn on the doctor's side to eventually be referred to a neurologist who did a brain CT scan and found nothing, because the scan stopped at the top of the maxillary sinus!  Since I've had sinus septum surgery before, he gave me a regular X-ray of the sinuses, which showed that all sinuses were black (normal empty) except my right maxillary sinus was cloudy like the bone areas, showing possible fluid or infection.  But, he said it's probably nothing and will go away by itself.  I said my pain is on the right side, this problem is on the right side, Bingo!  I want to pursue it more!  I then got a full head MRI which showed the 2.5 cm cyst in the right maxillary.  Because my main complaint was about my headache in my forehead, and because I've always had allergies, they didn't look at my lower sinuses at first, and when they did, I got the same story about this type of issue isn't usually a problem.  I was referred to an ENT who said that 70 to 80% of people with maxillary sinus cysts don't have symptoms.  I asked what are the symptoms for those people who do have symptoms?  The only symptom is headaches!  I have undiagnosed headaches, the only thing found wrong with me is a maxillary cyst which only causes headaches, I want it removed!  Here's my thinking, if 25 out of 100 people with this cyst have headaches from it, then that means 100% of those 25 people have headaches caused by this cyst.  Since I have Both the headache and the cyst, my chances of being in that 25 are probably 90+%.  I am scheduled for surgery on March 25, 09.  Until then, I am avoiding all soy, which is a phyto-estrogen which is thought by some to cause cysts (that's why women going through menapause are no longer given hormone replacement surgery, because extra estrogen was found to cause growths in some people).

[Susant8]

I am scheduled for surgery to remove my sinus cyst on March 11.  I find it funny that all these people have similar symptoms and all have a sinus cyst but most doctors say that the symptoms are not from the cyst.  I have discovered this cyst 2 years ago with an x-ray after a very bad sinus infection.  At the same time I had many health problems; tired, brain fog, headaches, trouble swollowing, pressure around my nose and eyes, eye problems(inflamation (inflammation), dry eyes, intolerance to contacts, change in vision), dizziness, numbness in my face and tongue, weight gain.  Every doctor I went to said that the cyst was not the cause.  I had my throid checked I even had Lasik surgery on my eyes which made things worse, I had a test for reflux. I finally gave up and just waited, I figured if they were all symptoms of a bigger problem they would just keep getting worse until the big problem was exposed, I am still waiting.  I really hope that the cyst is the big problem and all these things will improve after surgery, I am hopeful.  I will let you know cross your fingers.

Susan

[Lobanclan]

I'm back from more blood work, all seems to check out fine, no the Doctors had not even told me I had the Cyst, the ENT said that the Cyst is too small to even operate on. I am scheduled for another CTSCAN to determine if it is growing, since it wasn't there last year at all. The Verdigo I was speaking of is now being diagnosed as supposedly from Calcium deposits in the Blood Vesels of the Inner ear, I am to see a Vertigo specialist in Santa Rosa to get the second opinion and to prescribe some sort of head exercise to dislodge the particals. I will keep you all posted.
Tx again for listening, Ken
PS. Good Luck, Susan.

[SinusSuff09]

Glad I found this site! I agree and sympathize with everyone here. My story started just before Christmas '08, came down with a very bad chest cold. From past experiences, since I was about 8-9 years old, these colds often lead to sinus infections. This one was different, I didn't get better, February 09 finally rolled around, went to the hospital, had High BP 170/100, complete weakness, dizziness (like I was gonna collapse, or faint), breathing problems, headache, diarrehia, nausea, high fever. The doctor on call ordered a Sinus X-ray right away, left side sinusitis, but there was something different the doctor couldn't explain the dark clouding of the lower sinus. Left ER with antibiotics and pain medicine.

I was finally convinced to have an CT scan done, so I contacted my GP, who agreed, middle of Feb came around, CT was done. Got the results back @ the end of Feb, 50% of right side filled with polyps/cysts, 25% on left side. I did not have this before, they developed pretty quickly, the cold from december must of caused it.

Well anyway, during this horrible period Dec08-March09:
I seen one ER doctor 3 times who said to drink chicken soup LOL, and made me feel like I was nuts, gave me some anxiety pills on last visit. A quack indeed.

I seen another one just once, did ok but gave me an out of sorts antibiotic that did absolutely nothing.

I guess it goes to show, doctors do not know everything (an old aboriginal saying "Walk in a mile in his shoes"), but there are some out there who know what they are doing, like my GP ,who I should of stuck with, and he actually went through the CT scan results with me and referred me to an ENT, he actually did believe my secondary symptoms are caused by these sinus cysts.

But anyway, I am now having the Cysts/Polyps removed through Endo, with an ENT specialist.

The symptoms you all described are real!!!  The sinus cavities effect inner ear (euschasian tube, dizziness, vertigo), throat (mucus draining into throat/burning sensation), asthma, bronchitis, headaches, neck, stomach, heart rate (blood being pumped to sinuses), teeth pain, the list can go on. SO IF ANY DOCTOR SEES THIS, UNLESS YOU GO THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEMS ,DO NOT BE SO QUICK TO DISMISS SECONDARY SYMPTOMS, IF THEY ARE NOT IN YOUR SO CALLED MEDICAL JOURNALS!!!!!!!!!

[SinusSuff09]

Also, all my blood work came back excellent, low cholesterol, excellent kidney, liver, heart, no diabetes etc., including stool (some mucus, which explains the cramping, nausea, diarrhea), urin (so no I am not a frickin drug/alcohol/smoker, tired of being asked by ER physicians about that LOL). Had EKG, meng, chest X-ray, neck X-ray,all done my GP came back excellent.

I did develop asthma (noticeable wheezing), and bronchitis once. On other sinus occasions led to same probs, but twice pneumonia. Also problems bending forward, and fatigue. Present include the above post, dizziness and etc.

Prescribed: Nasonex, Livostin for the eyes, saline for the nose, Alvesco, Ventolin Inhalers, anxiety pills for the dizziness/vertigo/panic attacks from this, Ear drops. All helped to control the problems, but I have serious allergy probs so some of this I been on since I was a kid.

Seen ER docs, GP, ENT, Allergist, Neurologist, Dental Surgeon.

[Susant8]

What is wrong with your eyes?
When are you having them removed, I am having surgery wednesday.

Susan

[Susant8]

I mean your cysts not your eyes,

[nicolesmithinga]

Hello,
I hope all is well. I am currently on day 4 of a 10-day recovery from the removal of a sinus polyp the size of a LEMON.  The polyp has been growing for years and during the entire timeI was suffering.  I have read all of the post and I experienced the same symptoms.  I was suffering so bad that I couldn't walk a flight of stairs without feeling like I was going to pass out.  About a month ago over a business lunch, I felt like I was about to fall onto the floor and my heart rate increased.  I had the restaurant manager call the ambulance, so I could  go to the closest hospital.  The emergency room doctor sent me for a CT scan and found out I had a chronic sinus blockage.  I went to the ENT specialist and he confirmed that I had a polyp.  He put me on steroids for 12 days to try and decrease the size, but it was too large.  Therefore, he removed the polyp and my breathing is 100% better on the 4th day after surgery.

My advice to anyone is to see a specialist for whatever ailment you may have.  For example, see an ENT for ANY/ALL problems related to the ear, nose, or throat.  Do not visit a primary care physician, when you can skip that step and see a specialist.  I wasted 5 years of sinus infection treatments prescribed by a primary care physician, when I should have seen an ENT even to diagnose me with a sinus infection.  I would rather for my ENT to tell me that I have a sinus infection, than my primary care physician.

The sinus problems we are experiencing is CRITICAL to our overall health.  DO NOT ignore the signs.  See a specialist immediately, so you can be on your road to recovery.

God bless you all,
Nicole

[SinusSuff09]

Hey all,

Well back from another Hospital visit tonite, my surgery is in April '09.

I found out that sinus blockages cause post nasal drip which are bacterial and pass onto the lungs. Bam! Pneunomia once again in the left lung LOL..

I found other interesting facts, if you are allergic to Aspirin, Have Asthma, and Allergies, these 3 conditions make you more prone to developing Sinus Cysts/Polyps.

I have lived with this condition all of my life, so I am begining to understand the mechanics of this disease within my own body.

I totally agree with Nicole see an ENT specialist at all times, they understand the upper respitory system along with other things better than a regular doctor, hence the name GP.

Here is what I all found out:

Sinus if infected or blocked can cause secondary infections, either both at the same time of the infection or seperate (worst case scenerios/least):

Mengitis
Teeth Abcess (abscess)
Pneumonia
Asthma
Bronchitis
Strep Throat
Increased BP
Sleep Apnea-leads to fatigue, but can also be from pneumonia
Facial Swelling
Eye problems- itching, redness, swelling, vision problems
Brain - usually from mengitis
Ear - dizziness (could also be from fatigue or pneumonia), inner ear
Fainting
Panic Attacks
Stomach problems - mucus build up (diarrehia, vomiting, nausea)
Sinus Headaches - often misdiagnosed as migraines

The list goes on, in a nutshell, bacterial sinusitis is the main cause, but viral/fungi can cause some secondary symptoms.

Main message, be sure to tell the ENT/GP all your symptoms, you may have a secondary symptom going on such as pneumonia, be very very careful,

Always see your Health Care Professional, do not treat on your own!!!! especially with bacteria, very very dangerous, a saline solution will not CURE...

Hope this helps,
G=Day :)))))))))

[Carmen81]

oh wow, i am so glad i found this page.
my boyfriend had an x-ray done on his face and they found a 2cmx2.5cm white spot in his right sinus. he is suffering from headache and eye problems for a few years now. the doctor refered him to a ENT next week. i am freaking out about the results! what if its not a cyst?!
i wish you all the best!

[meddude]

Had my 2.5 cm right maxillary cyst taken care of on Wed.  It was not removed because that would have meant cutting in between the cheek and gum.  Instead he used a scope to go up through the nose to puncture it and then drain the cyst.  Now the rest should die and dissintegrate. The only painful part was the 3 sprays of nose spray 5 minutes apart followed by 3 sprays of ephedrine and cocaine before I was put under.  The second mixure Burns for 12 hours until is wears off.  The surgery itself hurt no more than a nose bleed.  At 1 a.m. when the cocaine stuff wore off, my sinuses stopped burning and I felt almost no pain from the surgery.  Now my migraines are gone!!!  It's Mon. and I'm back at work feeling better than I did before the surgery.    For a couple days after the surgery I felt fine sitting but when I tried to walk I had no ballance, I kept falling to the left.   The opposite side of my head felt pressure, or depressurization actually, for a few days, as my head adjusted to the change in pressue, or depressure.  I felt some dizziness on the opposite size, my opposite ear lost its hearing once and then it quickly come back, I could feel the pressure reballencing for the first few days.  
    I haven't taken any drugs today and I'm at work doing great now, feeling like I used to feel only when I was on antiinflamatory meds before.  Every time I breathe in now it feels like cold air is going into my right maxillary and cooling the blood in my head before it travels up my right side to my temple and forehead.  Before my forehead was hot and throbbed, now it feels like I have a cool compress on it all the time just by breathing in.  No pressure, no heat, no pounding.  It feels like the maxillary sinus is there to aircondition the brain, and when that function doesn't work then certain parts of the brain over-heat and you have problems.
     Bottom line, I'm so glad I had the cyst drained, it was causing my problems, don't let the doctor tell you it's nothing if you are already having problems.  It might be nothing for some people, or for most people, but if you have undiagnosed problems, this could be why for you!

[williamachton]

Thanks for your post.  I have had pain and pressure between my eyes / forehead, with accompanying headaches, for almost two years now.  My docs have generally insisted that my ethmoid sinus cysts have nothing to do with it . . . yet they can't find any other cause.  I am contemplating having the cysts removed (or drained, etc.) but haven't been able to get any certainty on whether they are truly causing my symptoms.

[Neamom]

I'm happy to have found you all.  I have been many of same symptoms as you all.  I had a MRI done in October and was told all was well although there was a sinus cyst ( right side) but nothing to worry about.  I actually forgot about it until I read your posts.  I feel like I have had left ear hearing loss (like something is clogging my ear).  My GP says she sees nothing wrong.  About 2 months ago, had a migrane with blurred and double vision and facial and left arm/hand numbness.  Had many test and all come out ok.  I have called the hospital and asked for copies of my MRI records and will pursue seeing a ENT.  How is everyone doing since they had cyst removal?

[Penny1988]

Hi all...I was checking out this site, since I have had headaches for a year now. Saw ENT 2 times...had an MRI(normal) and just had a CAT scan. This showed I had a nasak cyst..which also showed up 2 years ago.BUT..the AT scan showed that I have Eagle's Syndrome...a very rare disirder. I see my neurologist next week to discuss blood tests...and the ENT in 3 weeks to see about the Eagle's syndrome...something to do with an elongated ligament or bone???This all started with several sinus infections that would not go away...the headaches are at least 2 times a day..but not sure how how these things relate to my puffy eyes and pressues under my eyes..all the time and my tiresdness..Has anyone had theses symptoms? Thanks..Penny

[meddude]

It's been one month since my cyst was scoped and drained and I'm still doing much better.  I'm not lethargic all the time, don't feel like I'm under water, no pressure in my head or temple-headaches, doesn't hurt to move my eyes, no longer depressed - now I just have normal good and bad days like anyone else instead of bad days all the time for no reason.  I can still get some pressure in my head when I eat soy products, since I'm allergic, but by removing the cyst I can now eat some and get away with it, as if there's room for some swelling now without pushing on my brain as much.  Glad I had the procedure, definitely worth it.

[KigerKat]

Like so many others, I am so happy I found this site.  My symptoms have not been as bad as some of yours, but they are very similar.

Headaches - often specifically in the back, right side of my head
Frequent sinus infections - I'm on my 5th one in the past 8 months
Odd drainage issues - I can only breath out of one nostril clearly.  If I want to breath out of the other one, I need to lay on the opposite side to let things move over.
Asthma - very mild, Advair keeps any symptoms from occurring
High blood pressure - I may not be the healthiest woman in the world, but even on amlodipine and water pills my bp can't seem to get any lower than 120/80.
Facial pain - most recent symptom, first happened just this past Monday  night.  It felt like someone punched me in the nose.

I went to an ENT this past Tuesday.  He put a small camera in my nose and said there was a lot of swelling and discharge and put me on Amoxicillian for the next 2 weeks.  He also ordered a CT after I'm finished with the antibiotics.

Well yesterday, I woke up with the most excruciating headache I've ever had.  My PC doc ruled out a migraine because I had no nausea and lights were not affecting me.  My BP yesterday was at one point 180/140 and they couldn't tell if it was high because of the headache or the other way around.  They ordered a brain CT to rule out anything there that could be causing either one.

Luckily, the CT showed nothing in my brain (thank GOD!), but they did say that there was a cyst in my right sinus.  I'm not sure how large it is, but they said they would forward everything to my ENT.

My ENT was in surgery all day, but his nurse did say that they would probably cancel my other CT since this one got some sinus results.  I'll *hopefully* hear from him tomorrow morning.  Until then, I've been googling this stuff and finding very informative sites like this!

I would like to avoid surgery if possible, and it sounds like many people have had the cysts come back after surgery - and I definitely don't want that to happen.  But at the same time, if this could be related to my asthma, high BP and frequent sinus infections, I could have such a happier life without all of that.  Did I mention the ENT also said I have a deviated septum?  I wonder if that along with the cyst will encourage him to operate.  I read the other night that deviated septums can also cause frequent sinus infections.

I will come back here and post what the ENT's treatment recommendation is and let you guys know what happens.

[annaros]

Hi,Susant8 !
I'm glad,I can ask you:how do you feel after the surgery?
I have almost the same symptoms for 10 years. And  last 2 years it is became worse.
Finaly CT shows the right frontal sinus polyp/cyst.

[mamaofboyandgirl]

I am so glad to have found this site.  Since mid-March, I too have been suffering from severe headaches daily.  I have been missing alot of work and have been sleeping alot.  I have been to chiropractors, massage therapists, primary care physician, neuroligist and ENT.  My neurologist has diagnosed me with chronic migraines.  I have had a head ct done which was clear and my neurologist ordered a MRI which showed problems in my left maxillary sinus cavity.  I went to the ENT yesterday and was told that my entire left maxillary cavity has a cyst in it and my right maxillary cavity has a small cyst in it.  the ENT put me on antibiotic for 20 days to see if the headaches subside and if they do then he will remove the cysts but if they do not subside then he will not remove them because I am not having any breathing, drainage, etc problems.  I am experiencing left jaw pain, pain with eye movement, lathergy, severe daily headaches in the back of my head.  I just want to feel better and be back to normal.

[fordbaby18]

i just got told i have a cyst in my left side sinius cavitiy in my head i am so afraid can i die from this?

[meddude]

mamaofboyandgirl if the other treatments do not remove the cyst then Insist that the cysts at least be drained using a scope.  If the Dr. says no then find another Dr.  The scope goes in through the nose and recovery is 3 days.  If it can't be scoped then the surgery is needed.  Yes I wrote 'needed'.    fordbaby18 read the post before yours to see what can happen, no you won't die from it, but her description is right on and it's absolutely miserable and life-affecting.  After draining or removing the cyst you will feel like a new person again.

[fordbaby18]

so my doctors told me i have this cyst but told me not to worrie about it? should i ? i have read all your stories on it and i think i should get a new doctor my symptoms are really bad everytime i stand up i get dizzy i have bad stabbing pains in my chest and back pains as well i have bad migrains all day take meds they get worse i also have bad nausa all day as well what should i do ? any sugguestions please let me know

[KhunDee]

My problems are recent and came on literally overnight with a crippling headache that no meds could stop, and I live in Thailand where we have access to just about any med you can imagine, and a few you can't.

I started with general doctors, no use. Then to a ENT who gave me a CT scan and told me I had a cyst in my sinus, it was no big deal, gave me nasal spray and said it was impossible that this cyst was causing my extreme headaches.

The very next day the entire right side of my face began hurting. My cheek, behind my eye, my teeth, it feels like it's all swollen.

I went to another ENT and took my CT scan with me. He gave me an MRI, got a better look at the cyst and again said it's no big deal. Gave me some more meds, they don't help the pain they only put me to sleep, and told me to come back in 6 months for another MRI to see if it has grown.

In the meantime, I'm crippled. I can't work, can't focus, memory is bad, gaining weight, and generally am a mess. I can't wait 6 months.

Being in Thailand we do have access to any sort of doctor at cheap rates, so I'm going to see one more ENT before demanding to have it drained or removed.

I sympathize with all of you because I know how bad this hurts, and the frustration from the doctors dismissing this as serious.

If I am able to get this out quickly and it takes care of it, I will let all of you know. If so, and your insurance will not cover your problems, I do suggest heading to Bangkok. I've seen a total of 8 doctors, 2 of which are ENT and 2 were neurologists. With medicine included, I've spent under $800 out of my own pocket with NO wait time. Surgery probably wouldn't cost more than another $500 - $1000 I'm guessing. If you knew exactly what the problem is, you could bring your MRI and CT scans, could see 1 ENT and 1 neurologist and then push to have it removed, saving you a ton of money. You would pay only around $100 total to see them BOTH! Your biggest expense will be the plane ticket here, about $1200 from the USA if you shop around.

I'm not insured so I'm paying all of this out of my pocket. It helps that I live here, but medical is cheap as are meds.

Best of luck to all of you!

[hotlilxsdrvnmama]

I am having the exact same issue! i have had my cyst since 07 when it first showed up on CT scan. about a year ago i started having all the same symptoms as you guys... i just got an appt with my doc today and had another CT scan done... the cyst has grown to cover a little over half of my right sinus cavity.... i am trying to schedule surgery to have it removed before school starts... wish me luck!

[rmb1226]

I have been experiencing facial numbness and pain on the left side including numbness that radiates down my left arm as well as tongue numbness and neck pain.  Additionally, I have been experiencing visual disturbances to include eye pain and blurred vision.  I was seeing a chiropractor because I believed, I had a pinched nerve in my neck.  Finally one day at work, the numbness became so bad, I called my family doc.  He told me to come in right away.  He sent me for an mri (looking for tumors, stroke or possible ms) and found nothing with the exception of multiple maxillary sinus cysts, one that is extremely large.  I have been on nasal spray for a couple of weeks with no relief, and have an ENT appt next week.  Not sure if there is any relation, but I have had troube with my left ear since I was 18 years old, resulting in a permanent ear tube.  The strange thing is that my symptoms do not occur everyday.  I can have two days of no symptoms and then a day where I feel horrible.  Everything I have looked at online with the exception of this site, would lead me to believe that there is no correlation to the cysts, but I now believe otherwise.

[hotlilxsdrvnmama]

the ear pain may just in fact be related to your maxillary cysts. i just had surgery on wed the 19th for maxillary cyst removal and my sinuses were sooo infected it was ridiculous. they say that the pain you experience with your cyst problem pre-surgery is what you can expect to experience post-surgery. the pain i have experienced since the surgery has been mostly concentrated to my face and bridge of my nose... however, i have had slight twinges of pain in bothe of my ears. i get a sort of throbbing but not throbbing pain... kinda hard to explain but it lasts a while then dissipates... then comes back and goes again. my post-op is scheduled for sept 4th but i had such bad infection i called and asked for more antibiotics. my cysts had big puss pockets all around them and were covering almost 70 percent of my right sinus cavity... i got worried about all the stuff that was coming out of my nose and draining to my throat... i was also having ear pain and blurred vision.. the ear pain could also be caused simply because your sinuses are so inflamed like mine were or you could be more susceptible to a constant ear infection because of a bad infection from the cysts. the first time i got sick and started thinkin i may hafta go see my ent was last november. i got sick probably around mid november and stayed sick until my birthday in april of this year. i had a severe sinus infection and chronic bronchitis.... all of this was caused by the cysts... i stayed on antibiotics(different ones mind you) for 24 days and i was well for about 3 days before i got sick again. i honestly before the surgery did not understand that so many problems could be caused by just a few sinus cysts. it seems horrible to think that all this pain you and i and millions of others have endured is all caused by something minute. i understand a lot more about symptoms and looking for signs. i wasnt sleeping at night for about the past 6 months before my surgery. the dr said it was because i wasnt breathing well. i thought i was breathing fine but apparently when you sleep and everything slows down it is harder for you to get air when ur passageways are so blocked. i think that if your ent believes you need surgery... GO FOR IT!! mine told me it would be a month before i see any real differences, with the anesthesia and pain meds and antibiotics the first couple weeks are gunna be hard, but it will all be worth it. i am 10 days post surgery and i still have pain everywhere occassionally or even all the time and i havent been sleeping very well... i can't smell or taste much or blow my nose.....but you know im already in a lot less pain now than i was before so i think that it is an improvement! i definitely think all your pain and numbness could be related to these cysts, because mine was... hope this helps! Good Luck!

[AReyes86]

Wow. This is amazing. After looking and looking and looking I finally found a site with people with the same "rare" condition as me! Like others here, I am so glad to have found you!

Let me start at the begining, I have had horrible dental issues my entire life, part bad genetics and part not being taught how to care for me teeth at a young age. I have spent the past few years going through numerous dental procedures to fix these problems. I am 23 years old. When I was 20 and pregnant with my daughter I noticed a bump at the top of my gums on my left side, I asssumed it was an abcess (abscess) and told my dentist about it. He reccomended that we wait until I gave birth and they we would do x-rays, but that since it wasn't hurting me, I should be OK. Shortly after the birth of my daughter I moved and more or less forgot about my "bump".

Two months ago, I began experiencing severe pain on all four of my top back teeth, and my jaw. I went to a new dentist and they did a panaromic xray, he found a large mass in my left sinus, directly above those 4 teeth and refused to do any procedure until we knew what this unexplained mass was. I went to an ENT and had a CT done. The pain subsided a little. My ENT was very sure that this was NOT a polyp or an abcess (abscess). He said it was a bony mass of some sort and sent me for the CT. I just got back the films from the CT and WOW! This thing is HUGE! it takes up almost my entire left sinus cavity. The offical report states that this mass is either a "cyst/polyp" so deduce with what my ENT Doc has already said and I know its a cyst, My concern is can this be cancerous? I have two small children and I am young and healthy, for the most part. I am trying not to worry until I know for sure there is something to worry about...but in the meantime, this is driving me crazy! lol I see my ENT on tuesday and I am really hoping I cant just get this thing removed. I dont want it in my body anymore! I've suffered from migranes for years, but I dont think the two are connected. I have been getting dizzy, but again, just figured that was some other weird thing.... my ONLY symptom is the pain in my jaw and teeth, and this giant thing growing in there!.

[Trisha1979]

I am so glad i'm not the only one with this issue, well i'm not even sure if this is what I have about 4 months ago I felt like I had the flu but a really bad ear ache. Really itchy and draining this gross clear fluid. I got ear drops that same day. The next morning I woke up finding my vision was totally blurred. It stayed that way for 2 months. The doctors (GP, Neuro and many eye doctors) said that I had an infection in the main artery going to my eye. Anyways it cleared up for the most part after missing almost 2 months of work. Been back to work for a month or so and my son came home from his daycare with a cold and sure enough I got his cold. And then I lost vision again in my right eye. Went back to my GP today cause all my other doctors are on holidays (in cold and flu season smart! lol)

I did get a few head aches but I thought it was because my left eye was doing all the work. My right eye is even a bit lazy right now.

Has anyone had any mood swings or anything like that?

Trish

[Trisha1979]

I actually had a MRI done as well as a spinal tap and it all came back normal. And today since I went back to my GP he looked over my MRI again today and said he seen cysts in my sinuses.

I never did get sick or anything. Well the spinal tap was horrible WORST test ever..

Trish

[Moe318]

I have had the same problems starting after a root canal nearly 5 years ago. I recently had the root canaled tooth pulled and was told it had reinfected. I feel as if there is more infection in my sinus cavity, but CT shows nothing major. Was given antibiotics for rhinitis, ear infection and throat infection. I had a peritonsilar abcess (abscess) on the same side (right side) shortly after this all began. Due to this pain, I have had all 4 wisdom teeth removed, the infected root canal tooth removed and many trips to the doctor, and er. My doctor did an MRI last year to check for MS, nothing there which I am so thankful for because I have 2 family members who were diagnosed, one living and one passed now. I had an er doc suggest Trigimenal Neuralgia, but I did not follow up with the neurologist because I believe this is my sinuses. I have burning pains in my neck, and top of my head. The headaches are so severe my scalp becomes sore to the touch. My eye is either filled with pressure or twitching. My ear feels full or blocked 24/7. My cheek and jaw hurt all the time. The pain radiates from the tip of my head all the way to my shoulder blade. I have two small children, just turned 24 this week and I have been terrified. I truly believe the botched root canal I had caused some sort of massive and chronic infection in my sinuses, which also led to the tonsil abcess (abscess) (which was terrible pain and almost blocked my airway). Finally now, my oral surgeon who removed my wisdom teeth is sending me for an MRI of the sinuses and jaw bone. I pray they figure this out because now I have random numbness with intense pain and extreme fatigue, all worsened by cold air and cleaning products. I feel I am missing out on my children because I am in so much pain I cannot focus and have memory loss. To the point of being diagnosed with adult add. Sorry you all are suffering as well, but I appreciate this site and your posts. It gave me some hope.

[susanu]

Anyone had maxillary cysts removed?  I have had 6 surgeries now due to an accident in 04 which broke my nose etc....   Anyhow now I have 3 maxillary cysts that were found in a CT scan done for horrible headaches.  I do not have the measurements but the surgeon who has done my most recent surgeries tells me the cysts (2) are the size of the end of his thumb, where the knuckle bends and the other is the size of a pinky where the joint bends.  He is refering me to an ENT to further evaluation.  Does anyone know how the maxillary cysts are removed?  How long is recovery?  I have had just about everything done to my nose from just putting my bones in place after the accident to keep them from floating to deviated septum and all that.  It seems that maxillary cyst are common however I am concerned about the size of mine and of couse the headaches and vision problems I experience.  Any advice is helpfull!