Arachnoid Cyst

Hi this is my first time writing on one of these but Im wondering if anyone can shed some light on my symptoms....

I have always suffered from head aches, generally around the time of my period. They seemed to get progressively worse so I decided to try coming off the pill which I had been on for 10 years, to see if it helped. Since then I have had a constant head ache/migrane. Everyday for over a month now!  I have been working in the US so had most my treatment over there. Two MRI's show an arachnoid Cyst on my left side.

Like many of your stories my Doctors have acted nonchalantly over this finding. no big deal, probably unrelated to the head aches etc. There diagnosis remains that my head aches are hormonal!

I am on migrane (migraine) medication and Anti-depressant medication which is meant to keep the head aches away but honestly just masks them. I still feel a constant throbbing.

I am now back in the UK and will be seeing my GP on Monday. Is this hormonal or should I be pushing my doctors to actually do something? And dose anybody know anything about surgery? I heard it can lead to lots more problems down the line???

Thanks so much for the support and good luck to all of you with the same struggles.

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you for your question. Although without being able to examine you I can not offer you the specific advice on diagnosis and treatment that you need, but I would try to provide you some relevant information about your health concern.

Arachnoid cyst is a brain cyst that may remain asymptomatic for long years. However, if it is large it can cause headache, paralysis, seizures and gait disorders. Therefore, surgical intervention is essential to remove the large cyst and if permanent damage needs to be avoided.  Craniotomy, needle aspiration and cerebral shunts are common surgical treatment that may help.  Please consult a neurologist right away in this regard. Hope this helps.