Just found this site and im greatful for all the useful information.My story is this.For ten years I had migrains,dizzyness,walking gait problems and occasionally some speech problems. Saw my Dr. on several occasions with my list of systems always the same answer he thought it might be menstal. Finally got a mri and it showed a cyst on my brain stem at the time I was 37 after years of now realizing the learning disablies rages headaches we found the problem. After the diagnoises for the arachnoid cyst I went in 2 weeks later for a shunt. I have has numerous problems since. I have pain throbbing in the back of my head in the exact area of my shunt. Dr. put me on seizure meds which helps my pain. I still have all the symptoms I had before. I get MRI,s every year in see if it has grown of festered. Dr. says the tubing has calcified on fluid is not flowing like it should be. Since my operation my nero doctor has moved out of state and I am having problems finding a doctor with his knowledge on my cyst. I flew on a airplane once for vacation but realized after that when my head felt like it was going to explode I cant fly because of the pressure,I love to fly to Ca to see my Dr. that operated on me beacuse I have so many questions regarding what im up againist for the rest of my life. I hear that some people have in revisit the shunt my memory isnt that good but I dont ever remember him saying I would have to do this again. If anyone has this situation or any awswers on this I would appreciate it. My shunt has been in for 9 years now. Thanks for all you reading my story.Diana

Welcome to NT

There's lots of friendly people on here that have dealt with this same condition.

Here is a link to the brain forum:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html

9 years... ummm. You're very brave. I'm glad you found this site. You won't be alone here.

Hi Diana, and welcome to NT! We're so glad you found us!

This is such a great place with so many helpful, friendly, and caring people!

Hi Diana. My name is Brian and I'm 40 from michigan. I had an arachnoid cyst fenesterated over 3 years ago and 3 months after the surgery it didn't help my hydro so I had a vp shunt installed and have had lots of pressure problems daily that can't be fixed. Adjusting the shunt don't work for me and my ventricles are still very enlarged. I often wonder how I will get through the rest of my life like this. If you need someone to talk to you can talk to me, I also know my neurosurgeon in tampa florida has been doing arachnoid cysts and shunts for over 22 years.

Brian, Thanks for your help. It sounds like we have simular problems.I had my surgery 9 years ago have lived a productive live everyday alittle bit of a challange. For years ive been ignoring my problems but just recently im having trouble. I was put on meds 3 years ago for the severe pain I had in the back of my head where on my brain stem the cyst was found(enlarged ventricles) at christmas time I ran out of the meds and experienced nausia vomiting and extreme memory loss. Back on meds now but the feeling I have everday is how long I have before I have to do surgery or will it even help? The pressure in my head is great along with the nervios feeling I have. Somedays I want to fall asleep and never wake up because im so tired of the pressure. My balance moods and constant tiredness affects me everday. I'm sorry that you to feel the same, people dont understand how much this affects us. I look forward to hear from you again and hope that today is a good day for you! Diana

Welcome to NT

I hope you two find relief and some peace in some way.

How are you Diane??

Hi bgus,

I'm afraid stranged/Diane hasn't been here since 2010, so she will not see your message unless she calls back.

Sorry.

Dave

[QUOTE=bgus1969;618455]Hi Diana. My name is Brian and I'm 40 from michigan. I had an arachnoid cyst fenesterated over 3 years ago and 3 months after the surgery it didn't help my hydro so I had a vp shunt installed and have had lots of pressure problems daily that can't be fixed. Adjusting the shunt don't work for me and my ventricles are still very enlarged. I often wonder how I will get through the rest of my life like this. If you need someone to talk to you can talk to me, I also know my neurosurgeon in tampa florida has been doing arachnoid cysts and shunts for over 22 years.[/QUOTE Brian, Not sure I posted a response to you in the correct place(new here) I hope you received my message. Thanks for your post. Have a good day! Diana

Hello my name is kelly and i have the cyst on my brain stem it is the size of a baseball and the surgon told me i need surgey i need to know if it the right thing i have constant pressure. Pain is so bad i scream i also have contsant black outs everyday. i use to be so fit now im always in pain i have a 5 year old son i cant play with and a husband who has to take care me. Please tell me should i have the surgrey or not i need help figureing this out i have to give him an anwser in 7 days.