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pineal cyst and headaches
I have been experiencing severe headaches for the past 6 months. I have small questionable pineal cyst. I think this is why I have been having the headaches. I feel like it is causing pressure in my head. I need to get answers but haven't had any success.
Who should I go to since no one (including the local neurologist who read the MRI report and then wrote in his report that I have this cyst) told me that I have it? I understand these cysts don't cause difficulty in everyone who has one but it is my body and I know when it is telling me that there is something seriously wrong. Please help!
Who should I go to since no one (including the local neurologist who read the MRI report and then wrote in his report that I have this cyst) told me that I have it? I understand these cysts don't cause difficulty in everyone who has one but it is my body and I know when it is telling me that there is something seriously wrong. Please help!
hi everyone.. I am a 26 year old woman beyond scared out of my mind,im from oakville ontario canada.. i have had the shock of my life. i have found out that i have a pineal gland cyst. i have all the symptoms everyone here does.. headache,double vision,problems sleeping,forgetfullness,and sometimes i find it hard to understand ppl or talking also.i find my self staring off into space. im really having problems sleeping. i have seen on other sites that sleep apnea could be linked to this.. last year i had my tonsils out and was told then that i had sleep apnea.. i wonder if this all ties in?..i have only had a cat scan and went for my first mri 3 days ago.
the tests alone are very frightening. they assume it to be a pineal gland cyst but sent me for the mri to determine exactly what it is. they also found that i am having blockage of the fluids in my brain because of the cyst.
anyone have any advice? i am in the beginning stages of all this..
and my family doesnt help me out to much im very depressed and i dont know what to do im going out of my mind
thank you everyone & any reply would br great thank you!
the tests alone are very frightening. they assume it to be a pineal gland cyst but sent me for the mri to determine exactly what it is. they also found that i am having blockage of the fluids in my brain because of the cyst.
anyone have any advice? i am in the beginning stages of all this..
and my family doesnt help me out to much im very depressed and i dont know what to do im going out of my mind
thank you everyone & any reply would br great thank you!
Although the symptoms and complications of pineal cysts can be very disturbing, the "wait and see" attitude recommended by so many surgeons is born out of many factors, not the least of which is fear. Surgery to remove pineal cysts is among the most dangerous of all surgeries. There is tremendous pressure by managed care insurance, as the surgery itself is quite expensive, and the prospect of causing damage is sobering. Post-op care can be extensive, and the doctor fears for the patient and himself/herself, so waiting to see if things take care of themselves can seem to be the best way to minimize risk to all.
This is a tough one. In my experience, nearly everyone will tell you that pineal cysts are NEVER a problem. This almost certainly includes the doctor who will answer your question.
They can cause problems if they cause an obstruction to the cerebral acueduct (hydrocephalus), disrupt the flow of blood through the area (pressure on the vein of Galen), or compress the tectal plate (visual problems). Speaking to a doctor about any of these problems and expressing a concern that the cyst is causing your problems will likely be met with blank stares and accusations of wasting their time.
In all fairness, it is likely that something else is causing your problems and brain surgery (especially to this area) is not something to do on a whim. Many things can cause headaches, and lots of people (the vast, vast majority) have pineal cysts that are causing absolutely no problems.
However, just dismissing these concerns out of hand can be a real mistake. My spouse had a pineal cyst discovered soon after being diagnosed with a very sudden onset of severe vertigo and constant severe headaches. It was shocking and depressing how much trouble it was to get the problem treated. No one could explain the origin of the problem and no one was willing (or able) to help, until we met with a very good surgeon. A craniotomy was performed to remove the cyst and has solved all symptoms, except for a few related more to the surgery than to the cyst itself.
In answer to your question, I'd seek the opinion of several neurosurgeons. That should give you a better idea if it is actually causing a problem or not. Do not give up after one consult if no one can give you a good answer as to what is going on - it took us several months and entire departments of neurosurgeons before we found someone who could and was willing to help. If the cyst is not the problem though, there are several very good headache clinics throughout the country that could look into your problems and likely help.
They can cause problems if they cause an obstruction to the cerebral acueduct (hydrocephalus), disrupt the flow of blood through the area (pressure on the vein of Galen), or compress the tectal plate (visual problems). Speaking to a doctor about any of these problems and expressing a concern that the cyst is causing your problems will likely be met with blank stares and accusations of wasting their time.
In all fairness, it is likely that something else is causing your problems and brain surgery (especially to this area) is not something to do on a whim. Many things can cause headaches, and lots of people (the vast, vast majority) have pineal cysts that are causing absolutely no problems.
However, just dismissing these concerns out of hand can be a real mistake. My spouse had a pineal cyst discovered soon after being diagnosed with a very sudden onset of severe vertigo and constant severe headaches. It was shocking and depressing how much trouble it was to get the problem treated. No one could explain the origin of the problem and no one was willing (or able) to help, until we met with a very good surgeon. A craniotomy was performed to remove the cyst and has solved all symptoms, except for a few related more to the surgery than to the cyst itself.
In answer to your question, I'd seek the opinion of several neurosurgeons. That should give you a better idea if it is actually causing a problem or not. Do not give up after one consult if no one can give you a good answer as to what is going on - it took us several months and entire departments of neurosurgeons before we found someone who could and was willing to help. If the cyst is not the problem though, there are several very good headache clinics throughout the country that could look into your problems and likely help.
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A related discussion, PIneal Cyst was started.
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