Pineal Cyst and Sleep Problems

[plynn]

My husband had an MRI done many years ago and they found a pineal cyst.  The doctor said they find these type of cysts in many people and that they cause no symptoms.  He has had a couple of MRIs since that time and the cyst has grown a little over the years.  He also has suffered with sleep problems.  I would like to know if sleep disorders are common in people that have pineal cysts.  Could it be possible that a pineal cyst could have in impact on the production of melatonin and cause sleep problems?  I realize that most neurologists say that these type of cysts do not cause symptoms, but how do they know that it doesn't have an effect on melatonin?  It would be interesting to know from people that have a pineal cyst if they also have sleep problems too.  

Thank you.

[KatEyes]

I just did some googling, and while not scientific, there's sure a lot of anecdotal evidence of sleep being affected. Is your husband's doctor a neurologist?

[Suri123]

Hi plynn, how are you and how is your husband doing? Is he able to get adequate sleep? There is not much documentation on the sleep symptoms of pineal cyst but it does affect sleep in cases where cyst is big enough causing pressure symptoms. Hope you will get some information from the following link regarding the pineal cyst and melatonin.
http://www.webmd.com/brain/pineal-cysts-symptomatic
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/tc/melatonin-overview
I would suggest you to get your husband evaluated at a sleep center for a sleep study. Keep updated on the doctor advice. Take care.

[4mandy]

Hi, hope you and your husband are well.
I also have a pineal cyst. I went for years not being able to sleep. Doctors didn't seem to think it was a big deal. But this year it got worse. I noticed that when I was trying to sleep just laying there awake I was dreaming. But I looked at the clock over 15 minutes or so. My mind was going crazy. I couldn't remember things and very confused. I asked my doctor to check my melatonin levels. I found out that I had a large amount of it in my urine. Don't know why. So I went for a sleep study and found out I have narcolepsy. And it can make you very crazy. I also pass out or drop to the ground, this is cataplexy from the narcolepsy. It paralyzes your muscles. You can have very vivid dreams and sometimes not be able to respond after waking. So yes I believe that it has to be related. But the neurologists of course say no. Thing is the pineal gland isn't something that is really studied. But when the pineal gland is what controls your sleep and you have a cyst there putting pressure on it and you have sleeping issues HELLO? So I am searching for new doctors to help with this. Hope your husband finds the help and answers he needs! Take care.