Pineal Cyst- treatment for Symptomatic cysts

[buffbarb]

Most of what I've read so far - in medical journals and the net indicates MOST pineal gland cysts are benign and asymptomatic. However I've seen many many posts on the net from people with larger pineal cysts that are symptomatic and generally have the same sx's I'm experiencing.
    I started with my PCP for what I thought were sinus headaches/pain, the ENT specialist did a CT of my sinus, which is all messed up - but stated thats not the cause of my headaches/sinus pressure/jaw and ear and facial pain. Sent me to a TMJ specialist who did a CT of my jaw, made me appliances, did nerve testing on my neck for the neck pain and started me on pain meds for headaches. Finally when she realized I was saying I've never had a migraine in my life, no family history of migraines etc and went thru all the symptoms - she sent me for an MRI which found the pineal cyst measuring 1.7x 1.2, x 1 cm.
My symptoms have been:
daily tension headaches with associated nausea, migraines 1-3x a week, neck pain, jaw/ear/facial pain, tremor in left hand, waking up with my hands numb, waking frequently/interrupted just plain bad sleep (not restful), and motion sickness when driving and in elevator. I also have a history of Graves disease (thyroid/endo) and have had RAI , but I have graves opthalmology and wonder if my eye issues (fatigue, tearing etc) and my eyelid retraction may have to do with the Pineal gland cyst vs the Thyoid issues.


    So I had my mri the end of July (after basically being in some sort of treatment since May) and now I wait for neuro to see me. I have an appt at Barrow Neurological for August 24th (yes folks thats another 3 weeks of living like this) and neurosurgery is seeing me August 17th . They'll discuss options but won't treat of course, so here I sit at work near tears again with stomach ache and head ache and trying to function.
    My questions so far are:
1. If pineal gland produces melatonin, should I be taking melatonin to help my sleep?
2. Will traditional headache/migraine medications work for me? Will someone PLEASE prescribe some.
3. Can the cyst be aspirated? or is gamme I(cyber) knife the procedure of choice for surgical intervention
4. Has ANYONE with a pineal gland cyst ever had it simply resolve on its own? (i've checked many forums and have not seen that anywhere)
5.  Is it worth surgical intervention if the other treatment is multiple meds which can lead to kidney/liver damage?

I'm a mom to three kids and a grandbaby. I have way too much to do to be in a dark room moaning for hours on end. Really this is 'only' 3 months of pain for me - I can't do this and apparently neuro thinks its just fine for me to wait several more weeks to be seen , obviously this isn't too serious if I don't have hydrocelphalus.

Ok so this is the August 2010 tell me everything you know thread. Go for it.

[LJRsmith]

Did you have the surgery and have your symptoms resolved?

[buffbarb]

Apparently the  neurosurgeon at Barrows disagrees stating they can't be sure that the cyst is causing those symptoms and can't be sure that removing the cyst will resolve the symptoms. Basically will watch it and send me back to pain management. My cyst is 1.7 x 1.2 x 1.0
    Seeing a neurologist Tuesday, pain management Thursday. Since I don't present with hydrocephalus (yet) surgery risk outweighs possible benefit (per surgeon).
   So instead I live with headache, neck pain, jaw/face/ear pain, eye issues, numbness in my hands, interrupted/poor sleep and pain meds that barely control the pain and have numerous side effects.
   Wish my doctor thought like you do. Not like I want to run right out and have a craniotomy, but some days I think  it'll be worth it to stop living like this.

[310SurfChic]

I have been dealing with this for a couple of years now, and an hearing the same thing: Since I dont have hydrocephalus, the risk of surgery outweighs possible benefit. We are monitoring for another year and seeing if there are any changes then.... Yes - another YEAR. I cried a few tears about that one.

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you for your question. Pineal cyst is a brain cyst that may remain asymptomatic for long years. But if it is large it can cause headache, poor attention span, visual disturbance, paralysis, seizures and gait disorders. Therefore, surgical intervention is essential to remove the large cyst and if permanent damage needs to be avoided.  Craniotomy, needle aspiration and cerebral shunts are common surgical treatment that may help.  Please consult a neurologist right away in this regard. Hope this helps.