How dangerous are pineal cysts

CRISMIA · Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1

I was dealing with severe headaches for many years, I would always attribute to my job and general stressfull life. On June 19,2007 I went to emergency room for another factors and after a couple of hours at the emergency room, I was informed by chief neurologist at that hospital that unfourtunatenaly I had 2 Pineal Cyst in my brain.....I was sent to the University Of Miami, where there was a Doctor with the experience needed to deal with the removal of these Cyst. After 3 surgery's and 6 months later I left the hospital still baffled as what happend in my life, since everything happend so quickly. I'm now at home not 100%, but thankful that I'm alive to be with my family,mainly my two daughters.. [/b]

Guest · Guest

Hi My Cousins been diagnosed with pineal cyst size (1.4-1.5cm ) , was revealed after a MRI/CT . She was having pretty bad Migraines and was Blacking Out frequently.
we are in the early stages of learning about this disease , can anyone explain what the surgery involves , what the recovery time is like and what or other complications could occur.Thanks

Guest · Guest

I have a friend who told me he has constant headaches and recurring brain cysts. I didn't know what that meant so i di some research. So far im still dumbfounded. A recurring cysts would mean that it was drained or removed and then came beck or filled with fluids again, right? And this friend has a standing appointment, meaning it's once a week. Could this have to do with the brain cysts? And where can a brain cysts be? Anywhere or just the pineal gland? I'm confused and worried. I love my friend and dont wan anything to happen to them. They said they only had a 25% chance to make it to thirty. What does this all mean? SDoes anyone have answers for me?

Guest · Guest

First of all, cysts can be found anywhere in the body and within the brain cystic masses can develop on many places. When a cyst appears near the pineal gland it is called a pineal cyst. This is a BENIGN lesion, and follow-ups indicate this further. When discovered, many doctors choose to scan with CT or MRI once more within the following year. If no or little progress, the evaulation is concluded.

This is nothing to be worried about, 5% of all of us carries such a cyst but we don't know since the majority never does a brain scan. So relax!

As to another question: Cysts that becomes large and are drained without applying a shunt within the brain can be punctured. Some cysts grows back, but this doesn't mean that your friend has cysts all over her brain. It does not mean that she will die at all. If they said so to her, maybe she has a very rare kind of cystic growth within her brain. Some tumors (malignant) have cystic components, and this can be it maybe? If so, oncologists are treating the tumor but once in a while need to drain the fluids out since she might be developing hydrocephalus.

So, to conclude:
* Pineal cysts are benign
* Pineal cysts are common
* Pineal cysts are almost always asymptomatic and require neither surgery or close follow-ups
* Pineal cysts are NOT cancer or a brain tumour

nikkicubbage · Newbie Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

I am a 25 year old woman. I was diagnosed with a pineal gland cyst at 11 years old. I have been tracking them on a not so regular basis. I had a MRI 5 years ago and my most recent last week. My latest MRI has shown that my cyst has grown 4cm by 3cm larger. The doctor has refered me to a neurologist. Hopefully the appointment will be soon. Right now I am in limbo wondering the dangers or what the treatment options are. I have been researching on the internet of pineal cysts and find forums or info written in doctor lingo. If anyone has any information on or has been through this please email me at nikkicubbage@yahoo.com. Thank you.

Guest · Guest

I'm a 40yr old male. 10 yrs ago I started having really bad headaches. So bad that my family would tell me I would cry in my sleep from the pain. I went to a neurologist and had a MRI of the brain and they found a pineal cyst the size of a dime in diameter. The first thing they did was throw one drug after another at it. I was so drugged up I was walking into walls and could barely talk since able. I went to several neurosurgeons and they all said the same thing. Treat with drugs surgery is not an option. They said my headaches were not caused by the cyst (don't believe it never did) they told me that I was not making serotonin due to the pressure on the pineal gland and was diagnosed with clinical depression and a aggressive anger disorder. Well I've been on social security disability for 9 yrs now and still have bad headaches everyday. I don't take the drugs they give me because I cannot function on them at all and cant afford them as well. Come on xanax 2 mil 5 to 6 times a day, sleeping pills, zoloft and many others, some that were later taken of the market. Now in the past 8mths to a year my vision has gone to the pits. I guess its time for another MRI ( who has the money for these thing even the co pay wow.)Oh, it seems i have more headaches in the summer then I do in the winter so some checking found the brain swells in heat and contracts in cold. I have also found out that marijuana reduces swelling of the brain to a point, one I found is enough to coup without taking all the drugs the docs give me. One I think is healthier because it is all natural! But it is AGAINST THE LAW !!!!! Just saying what helps me. Here until I die Nuckfut

hbarr · Newbie Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

bturunen · Newbie Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

Hello. I randomly found this site when looking for info on a cyst in your head. For the past 6 or so months I have been feeling very strange. It seems to be getting worse. I have alot of pressure in my head but only on the right side. On top and in the lower to middle of the back the most. As crazy as it sounds it feels like my brain. I have some numbness in my face and recently my right eye is not working right. Its making me pretty nauscious as well. I had an MRI for something else last December and they found a cyst. They said it was nothing or usually nothing to worry about. HOwever, I know something is wrong with me. (they forgot to inform me I had a cyst until a week ago and said I think I need to see a neurologist because something seems wrong) Anyone have any suggestions, advice? Are these similar symptoms? I am really scared and don't know what to do but it's getting harder to function normally.

Guest · Guest

This stuff is really weird! Some people get severe headaches at 2cm size. My cyst is about 28x18x18 mm and I have no symptoms at all. It stopped enlarging ~4 years ago. Some doctors would like to be more combative, others warn it's not quite a playground, so I wait quietly. So far so good.

Britbloke · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2008 Posts: 1

I've found a lot of info on pineal cysts since yesterday- when I was diagnosed- by accident, like most people of having one. Apparently they are much more common than we thought and there is one study which suggested that as many as 20% in a study of healthy people had one. Mine is apparently tiny, and I'm not sure regarding symptoms but have had a throbbing pain at the back of my head recently when exercising- this may be the tension in the muscles in my upper neck/lower skull but I'm getting referred to my GP anyway so I can keep an eye on it. The pineal gland is near the optic nerve which can explain why people with larger cysts have problems with eyesight. So if you are getting SYMPTOMS then get it seen to- if not, like me- just keep an eye on it, have a scan every 1-2 years to see if there is any change in size- and remember it is NOT cancer OR a tumour. Take care, Mark

How dangerous are pineal cysts

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