Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Sterling Heights, MI USA
Pineal Cyst Posted: 04-16-08 18:36pm
I have had constant headaches for over 10
years now and was recently diagnosed with
a pineal cyst. The size they measured it
to be was 1.3 cm by 8mm. I know this is a
bit bigger than what they are normally
seen at. I have daily headaches...usually
worse at night. Trouble falling asleep and
staying asleep, usually do to the
headaches that I have at night. I get
migraine headaches at least once a week
and have some visual disturbances. For
example, I can place by hand on my
forehead at a right angle with my body and
when I look up, I can't see it. I have
been put on Midrin, Darvocet, Maxalt,
Inderal, Fioricet and anti-inflammatory
medications and nothing has worked. I have
seen a neurologist who says the cyst is
nothing and thinks I am having tension
headaches. He put me on an anti-depressant
(the name of which I can't remember) that
is designed for tension headaches and it
did nothing. I was wanting to know when a
cyst can cause symptoms such as headaches?
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singlemamma
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Posts: 61 Location: ,
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Posted: 04-17-08 11:38am
Most definately they can cause headaches
like this. Why aren't they removing it?
You really should look into it because
they can cause pressure on your brain and
cause other problems especially as large
as it is.
I'm sorry you are going through all of
this.
Get a second opinion often times these
cysts are removed and especially at its
size. If you need a good neurologist I am
in MI there is one I saw (not for a cyst
but from a car accident injury) that was
really good in the Ann Arborn/Ypsi area.
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purity210
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Sterling Heights, MI USA
Posted: 04-17-08 13:04pm
I have been told that until it cause life
threatening problems I would be very hard
pressed to find anyone that would remove
it, mainly because of it's location.
I have had an appointment with one
neurologist at U of M which was back in
November...he sent me to a
neuro-opthamologist due to the fact that
my vision range looking up is
limited....and he also referred me to the
Headache Clinic at U of M, I have an
appointment there on April 24th. Up until
now it just seemed to me that no one
really wanted to address it...except for
my family doctor who has never seen anyone
with one or a symptomatic one at that.
He's even asking me to find out if anyone
is doing research on pineal cysts.
I guess I just became a little more
curious after realizing my cyst was over
twice the size of normal ones....which
would lead me to believe that it could
definitely be the cause of my symptoms.
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singlemamma
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Posts: 61 Location: ,
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Posted: 04-17-08 13:22pm
Where is it located? Why are they
concerned about removing it?
I still would get another neurological
surgeon opinion even 2. Here is the thing
it is affecting you in a very negative
way, while it may not be life threatening
at the moment it could grow some and
become life threatening further it is
likely the cause of all your problems and
your quality of life counts for something
when determining if you should have a
procedure like sugery done. Any doctor who
doesn't take that into some consideration
isn't worth a grain of salt in my opinion.
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purity210
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Sterling Heights, MI USA
Posted: 04-17-08 13:37pm
It's on my pineal gland which is basically
in the very center of my brain. Near a lot
of vital tissue. I guess from what I was
told it's pretty risky?
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antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 960 Location: IL
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Posted: 04-23-08 00:38am
If the cyst is large and symptomatic they
will usually try to remove it. This is
difficult surgery but can be done. Ask
whoever you see how often they have
performed this procedure. If it is not
often, move on and find another surgeon. I
know several in Chicago that I would go to
if I needed to. You need to find a skilled
neurosurgeon. U of M should have some good
surgeons. Borgess in Kalamazoo has a good
reputation too.
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eeyore46
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 348
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Posted: 04-23-08 01:00am
Is the cyst progressively growing? I have
a friend that had the same condition -
causing migraine headaches and vision
problems. It was affecting her peripheral
vision as well. In fact, it was her eye
doctor who diagnosed her condition. She
was very reluctant to the surgery, but it
was a huge success!
