Pineal Cyst

[Red1121]

Hi!  

I was wondering if anyone could offer me and input on what I have going on....

I have had an MRI & CT scan done that shows I have a 12 mm cyst on my Pineal Gland. It says calcification is noted along the periphery and a hypoattenuating sedimentation level along the dependent aspect is noted. It goes on to say..Intracystic acute hemorrhagic product versus mineralization.  

So I have done a little research about the Pineal Gland and it seems like it is a pretty common type of cyst. But I cant help but be concerned when I am told that I have a cyst on my brain.

I do have symptoms, the biggest being headaches & confusion. Has anyone else had something similar to this? And if so, how was it treated?

I have had one appt w/ a Neurosurgeon, he of course said my symptoms were not from the cyst and said that it is common for a woman my age (26) to have headaches...I said everyday for the past 4 months?!?!  I have another appt in a week at Barnes in St Louis.  I just want a dr to take this seriously.  I dont want to end up addicted to prescription pills by the time I am 30!

thank you for any help/input!

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This is an old post (sadly, search often brings up older stuff first - we are trying to fix that!) so I don't know if the original person will respond. I sure hope so!!!

Have you had lab testing that includes melatonin? Even though you may *think* you are sleeping, you may not being going into deep sleep. So testing - even a sleep study - will show more data.

I would also consider a pituitary center. Your issue is not there but they have the surgeons there that do the same surgery and the docs would know how to test.

[xjennabennax416]

I just got diagnosed via noncontrast MRI of having pineal cysts.. my neurologist is sending me to have contrast MRI scans so she can better see the cysts, their size and how many. Hoping it is not a tumor. I have been experiencing mind fog.. which I can only explain as feeling like Im half-awake. I always feel tired but dont have trouble sleeping like many people do with pineal cysts. I dont get headaches frequently but do get sore/stiff necks almost everyday. I feel kind out of out it when I do things and feel like I get confused a lot easier. I often feel disconnected from my surroundings but do not feel depressed, so I dont think these are depression symptoms. I sometimes get buzzing in my ears and my head feels kind of numb most of the time. I started these symptoms about 6 months ago. You mentioned being confused, wondering if this went away with the surgery? And did the cysts come back? I know it has been over 2 years since you posted this so just wondering. I have a vitamin D deficiency and take 7500IU a day (normal is 600-800IU a day) and still dont feel any better. Let me know, Thanks!

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bump

[katwick]

I am a 33yr female.  I had a pineal cyst 2.1cm x 1.8cm.  I suffered for at least 10years with headaches and migraines.  about 5 years ago i started having bad nausea and sleep issues. 1 year ago i started having numbness in my lower limbs and neurological confusion.  

I got an MRI and found the pineal cyst but was told it was not causing my symptoms by a couple of doctors.  I even went to the Mayo Clinic and they told me it wasn't causing my symptoms.

I found the Skull Base Institute in LA and i made an appointment.  I had endoscopic brain surgery 29 days ago to remove the Pineal cyst.  All of my symptoms are now gone.  I used to take 30-50 pain pills a week, and now i take none. No pain, NO headaches, No more nausea.

My pineal cyst was causing all my migraines and symptoms and within 2 days of having the cyst removed, all my symptoms were gone.

The endoscopic brain surgery was minimally invasive and recovery took two weeks, two days in hospital.

I read a lot of so called experts saying pineal cyst don't cause symptoms but i know for sure they can and they do cause symptoms.

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I would find a doctor - most likely a neuro-endocrinologist to test your hormones and your melatonin levels. You are talking about headaches (and yes, tiny lesions can cause them so don't go to that guy for surgery - he is out of his league) but not sleep issues and that would be an issue too. You want some one experienced and at least half-way decent. The surgeon should be a skull-base surgeon.

I would also go see a neuro-opthamologist so you can get a good eye check and visual fields.

The cyst can be removed, if necessary via surgery using your nostril as the place to go in. I had a pituitary tumor removed that way and your gland is behind that.

There are other posts from others too with the same cyst.