Long Term Effects of Arachnoid cysts on memory and mood

[Tomr64]

I am a 47 yo engineering professional and I had an arachnoid cyst (14 cm x 5 cm x 2.5 cm) that was diagnosed in Jan that was addressed 3/28 with a Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt.  The shunt drained the cyst completely and collapsed the top of my brain into the area where the cyst used to reside.  The collapse of the top of the brain into the cyst area caused bleeding that had to be drained during an operation 6/1.  The doctor also closed the valve in the shunt to allow for the CSF to build back up in my brain.  The shunt will be turned back on when the brain tissue is back in place and the cranial pressure is at a desired level.  I gave all this background to ask if this whole process (which actually started when I was born with this cyst) could actually cause memory and mood issues.  I have always had a bad short term memory that has been getting apparently worse over the past 4-5 years.  In addition, my wife states (and my children agree) that my mood switches very quickly and I lose my temper very easily.  I had always been a laid back and relaxed person.  I realize that this is no longer the case and I am realizing that this change is very real.  My Neurologist and neurologists in general state that memory and mood effects are not considered symptoms of these types of cysts.  Is there anyone who has any experience with this issue and has an opinion or advice?      

[DonaldJtrump]

Hi all, my name is Alex I am 25, I have all my life had behavioral issues where if my anger becomes a 10/10 and I am not in a safe place I will smash something such as a remote or something that is not a human or living. I cant control it as I feel I must do that to handle the situation, I was diagnoised with ADD as a teen and had many issues in school. I have just  graduated recently with a 1st in BCs so if you want something in life you can get it. I also recently had 3 sezures in which I was hospitalized, this was the first time I had ever had a sezure. Last year I fell on a train track and the only result was I had an arnocoide cyst. Reading and researching into these cysts it seems to me that there is a connection between a number of them. I also had an MRI and EEG, this is probably the first time in my life I have felt lonly because I know no one with these issues. Its very knew to me because understanding why maybe the result of my brain and its hard to take. Any advice or any comment would be appreciated, thanks.

[Leomerle]

One of the main things which has helped to explain so many of these common issues everyone is relating to is to get a neurophysiological assessment this helped me greatly.

[MJ0791]

I am 45 years old, and was diagnosed with an arachnoid cyst in March 2014 - it is 9 cm in diameter at the widest point and was in the right ventricle.  My symptoms for about 8 years before that were dull pressure headaches, difficulty concentrating - esp in conversations, weakness in my left extremities and memory loss.  I still worked successfully for all those years, but it was a struggle.  I also had a very short fuse (anger issues) but hard to say if all these symptoms were related to the cyst.  After praying for about 1 year, I decided to get surgery, and found a great neurosurgeon at University of Pittsburgh Med Ctr - Dr Jonathan Engh.  I got the surgery last month - on 3 Feb 2016.  They shaved a very small spot on the back of my head, and drilled a hole in the skull - they made several holes in the cyst so that it would decompress and the fluid would start circulating through more normal channels in the brain.  The good brain matter collapsed into the space where the cyst had been.  The surgeon said this was a good thing, but I have to admit it bothered me to hear that after the surgery.  They also said they could not get me to move my left leg or arm after the surgery although i don't remember that.  The surgeon said this was because my brain was adjusting to the reduced pressure on those parts of the brain controlling motor functions.  Within an hour I was moving my left side ok but they felt a bit weak.  During the recovery I was in ICU for 3 days because they had a drain in my ventricle and then another 3 days in a regular hospital room after the drain was removed.  It has been 5 weeks now since the surgery and the dull pressure headaches are gone.  I feel much better, and seem to have less anger issues than before.  I haven't been back to work yet, but I feel my concentration is better.  It's only been 5 weeks but I feel like I made the right decision to get the surgery, since the cyst was so large, and could have caused neurological damage or seizures or stroke as the years went on.  I was nervous that I would have cognitive loss from the surgery itself and all the changes in the brain structure, but as the weeks go on and I heal, I feel better and better. I'm glad I took care of it at an early age while I can still handle the surgery.  I would recommend the surgery for folks that have a large cyst and have symptoms like I did.  

[Attitima]

Wow....am encouraged with your response!!

[lydia_scotland]

I am 33 years of age and was diagnosed with an Arachnoid cyst in my left temporal lobe in summer 2006. This came to light after suffering from severe headaches all my life. After consultation and examination with a neurosurgeon at UWI Hospital in Jamaica, I was told that my cyst post no long-term problems as it was not growing. The neurosurgeon prescribed traumacet and  apo ranitidine.

I stopped taking the medication after just two months because I could not maintain a normal life. I would always be drowsy and sleeping.

I am noticing now more and more that I am unable to remember simple things. This is especially evident in my short-term memory. Whenever I don't eat, I become dizzy and get headaches that lasts sometimes for a full week. No brand of painkillers ever assist with easing the pain. I have taken so many painkillers that I lost my gallbladder in 2012. I am always tied and lethargic, no matter how much sleep I get.

I have noticed that if I wake and jump out of bed immediately, I am unable to steady myself. I have to open my eyes and lay in bed for a few minutes. I have submitted scans of my brain to NIH in the past and have been told that nothing seems to be wrong.

[Dakota143]

I am 19 years old and have finally realized that I should know more about my cyst, I have being doing research and asking my parents everything they know about the cyst I had at birth.

My mom said it is in the left side of my brian in the memory section.
My parents found out I had this cyst due to the numerous seizers I was having at such a young age, and so randomly.

The cyst I have is "Arachoid Cyst" I have learned to control my seizers, I can feel the brain activity and it almost makes me kinda of sick mixed with a real bad hunger at the bottom pit of my stomache. Sometimes when I am really hungry I am not sure if it is because of the actual lack of food, or a seizer about to arise.


I to have really bad memory loss, and grow really angry really fast, it has gotten to the point where I ask myself, "What is wrong with me?" why is it that I get so extremly upset, when I try so hard to live a stress free life, surround myself with good people, love, and good times.
Sometimes I'll just get upset over the dumbest things, AND I KNOW IT! I literally have to move from wherever I am try to find a quiet spot and tell myself I do not need to be this angry!

My whole life growing up I can never remeber being able to hear out of my lfet ear. I find it so hard to hear, so many of my friends get annoyed with me, because they hate repeating themselves, and I always ask "what?"  , "what did you say?"



Anyways I have never even heard of someone else going through what I have, and I am really interested in hearing back from you,