Guest guest Posted March 22, 2002 Report Share Posted March 22, 2002 Here's an explanation I save for when people have questions I was born with cerebral palsy, which simply means a stroke at birth. I have little use of my right hand and I walk with a limp. As a direct result of the brain damage, there was an empty spot in my brain. My brain needed to fill it up with *something*, so it filled up with spinal fluid. Fast FW to Summer 1998. I went to the ER with a fever of 105....doctors believed it was meningitis and did a CT scan. They discovered the cyst. I had no idea it was there. I followed up with a neurologist after the meningitis was better. He told me the cyst was probably there all my life and explained it they way I explained it above. They also said it would be pointless to remove it because it just will grow back. I had *lived with it* for 33 years (I'm 37 now) so what was the point of removing it now? It certainly explains the headaches I've had all my life. They have always been centered on the left side of my head, right where the cyst is..... Anyway, the cyst also seems to cause slurred speech, increased ataxia (some ataxia is already present because of the CP), confusion, etc....These symptoms are not always present, they flare up like the headaches do. I recently changed psychiatrists for the treatment of my bipolar. He wanted an updated CT scan or MRI for the records. In May 2001, the cyst had changed positions a little, with little growth. I saw another neurologist who told me the same thing as in 1998. There was no point in removing it. I suggested a shunt instead to keep it drained, he blew that off. Right now, I have a very good GP who is watching me closely, having me keep a headache diary and am getting another MRI in April. He wants to be sure my headaches *aren't* migraines before sending me elsewhere. I think neurologists think it's all in my head with me (bad pun). But despite the MRIs and CT scans, they say the headaches are caused by something else, not the cyst. The problem is, when I see docs, I'm relatively okay. No major pain or other symptoms. If I could walk into their office slurring my words, stumbling over my own feet or in drastic pain, maybe they will change their minds. Denisa --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.330 / Virus Database: 184 - Release Date: 2/28/02 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.338 / Virus Database: 189 - Release Date: 3/14/02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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