Pineal Cyst

[BCarp0707]

Tex,

You are one of the lucky ones, most everyone I have spoken with or heard about have the same or similar symptoms.

You should do what you feel most comfortable with, I did have the 2nd MRI with contrast. I feel that anything that will help me track the growth of my cyst will only benefit me.

I was thrown from a horse about 3 years ago with some injuries to my neck and back. My doctor at the time wanted to make sure that my headaches were related to the neck injuries. The MRI that was taken at that time was clear. I went through alot of testing and found that I had 2 herniated disk in the neck. After massage therapy and time my headaches went away in about 6 months.

About 1 year after the accident I started experiencing the headaches again. I went to the doctor after realizing the massages and other things I was doing weren't working and he insisted I have another MRI. It turned up that I had the csyt. I went through about 3 doctors before I found this one and he has been very understanding and helpful. Not discounting what I am going through, he is turly concerned. I am going to keep track of the growth and other symptoms. And if at sometime I can't tolorate the pain I will have a true history to give to a surgeon.

The meds you are on for increased energy (Unithroid and Provigil), if you don't mind, are they prescribed?
Is there a medical problem that requires you to take them? I understand if you choose not to respond, I was just curious.

I hope you continue to go without any problems and I wish you the best.

Beth

[Tigre]

Hi Beth,
Did your doc say that maybe the cyst was caused by the accident you had? I had a head injury with the bulging discs and a host of other things as well when a 5-6 foot iron door fell and split my head (close to the right temple) open. I had a CT scan done at the ER and the doc said i had a concussion and mentioned nothing else really (that i can remember I also have short term memory loss from this) but I know he didnt mention about the pineal cyst. After several months of headaches and meds my neurologist had me get a cranial mri with contrast and it showed a 5mm by 9mm pineal cyst. He wasnt to concerned and said that I probably had it for a long time before the accident. But I have had cat scans done before this and also the day of the accident and nothing has shown. WOuldnt it have shown on the CT scan that day? Im so confused and now i have constant tremors in my right arm and hand after a major anxiety attack (my post about that is on the stress board) my mom says its my meds...but ive been on them for months and never had a prob before. Could the cyst be causing some of this and could it be a result of the accident that i have this? I havent seeen many people say they had a pineal cyst as a result of an accident but i dont believe i had it before...ive had scans done numerous times in childhood and also for a migraine one time at the er and nothing showed as well as the day of accident. I hope im making sense i am just not the same person i used to be. Any info you have would be great!
Take care,
Tigre

[BCarp0707]

Tigre,

I asked my Dr and he said that he did not think that the csyt was related to the accident. I too have wondered if it is related because I didn't have any of the problems I have now.

If I were you I would request a copy of your films, I have copies of all the MRI's and scans and will continue to get copies. That is my only proof and way for me to track the growth.

I wish somehow we could get involved in a study with a hospital or lab or something. Find someone that could truly answer all of our questions.

E-mail Cheryl (glorybound101@hotmail.com), she has been a wonderful person with alot of information.

I wish you all the best and keep me posted on your progress.

Beth

[saxgirl]

Mine (1cm) was found on CT a year ago and my docs totally brushed it off, no followup to see if it's growing. I don't really have a diagnosis, but I'm finally doing ok with a bipap machine & lots of meds...should I push for an MRI?

I don't understand why doctors say stuff like this is "incidental." As expensive as brain scans are, do asymptomatic people routinely get their head examined just for kicks? I think not!

The meds you are on for increased energy (Unithroid and Provigil), if you don't mind, are they prescribed?

BC...
I don't know anything about the other drug but I was prescribed Provigil for extreme fatigue. Provigil is used for Narcolepsy(sp?) which I DO NOT have...just the opposite. Provigil is a prescribed medication which is very expensive. I was taking 200mg a day, a 7 day supply (14 pills) cost me $115.00 and they did NOTHING at all for my fatigue. I might as well been taking sugar pills. I have read posts from others on the Fibromyalgia board who say that they take Provigil and have had great success with them. Just depends on the person.

Good Luck!