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Arachnoid cyst question.......

I have an arachnoid cyst in the posterior fossa of the brain.  It is 3 inches by 2 inches.  The doctors think I was born with it and they don't think it is causing my problems.  I have recently started having tingling on different sides of my body, weak spells, muscle aches and headaches, and sometimes two fingers of my hand don't open.    Whay else could be causing this?
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Avatar universal
I am having the same symptoms.
Have you found explanation for your symptoms ?
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Avatar universal
Thank you all for weighing in on this.  I am scheduled for a Lumbar Puncture on Wednesday.  I am also having what i describe as "spells" where I feel very weak, chilled although my face and hands are very hot, rapid heart beat and sometimes nausea.  The only other thing I  have to offer is that I  did move into an older home which had been unoccupied for a year about the same time all of this started.I also have trouble breathing.  They said something like what someone with asthma might have showed up on a chest xray but a CT scan showed nothing.  I am not wheezing and never had asthma before  Albuterol breathing treatment did nothing to help.  Any suggestions????????????????
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Avatar universal
Hi there!  

I agree with the previous posts that this cyst should be evaluated if they are causing trouble inside your head.  Trouble meaning: impinging on vital structures like nerves or the brain itself.  This can be accomplished through non invasive imaging techniques such as an MRI.  Your balance problems can be due to this cyst since the posterior fossa is where the cerebellum lies (the part of the brain that coordinates balance).  If the symptoms are hindering you or causing debilitation, it is best for you to consult with a neurologist or neurosurgeon (though operations addressing this lesion carries a significant risk).  The pain can be controlled by pain medications which should be discussed with your doctor as well.

Stay positive in your outlook.  Find out what activities work for you and enjoy them.  Stay strong and God bless you...
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Avatar universal
Do not give up on your search for answers and do not take the "it is ok" advice from your doctors, these things can cause you a lot of problems and it appears that no one wants to pay attention. I have a very small arachnoid cyst and have been suffering from symptoms like hearing loss, vertigo, problems walking, trouble with my memory or trying to concentrate. I have a lot of pressure in my head( not a typical headache) and nausia to name a few and have been suffering with this symptoms for 4 years or so and no one can still give me answers, one Neurologist told me I have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome which is a condition that involves the nech should and arm, none of the symptoms I am having are related to T.O.S . I pray the best for you God Bless you.
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This was an incidental finding by an MRI, for symptoms which included tingling on right then left side of body, back and shoulder pain upon awakening, pinky and ring finger not opening without having to stop and think to open them.  I have had balance problems all my life and even watch tv with my head cocked to one side.  Yesterday my hip hurt and my head has hurt for over a week now in the front.
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Avatar universal
Hi madaline, how are you? When where you diagnosed of this Arachnoid cyst and was it a accidental finding of some investigation or you had been investigated for your present symptoms? Commonly these cysts are benign and do not cause any symptoms and sometimes if large enough can present as radiculopathy. You current symptoms might be caused due to nerve impingement and pressure effects. It is therefore better to get investigated further like MRI brain and CSF analysis on consultation with a neural physician. You can also get more info on Arachnoid cyst through this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arachnoid cyst. Post your opinion. Do update on any investigation or doctor review. Take care.
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