Hi, My name is Larry I'm 49 years old and I was diagnosed with a large arachnoid cyst in Feb of 2011. It is in the left middle cranial fossa. It measures 6.6 x5.4x9.5 cm. I have had surgery and had a vp shunt put in in March of this year. I also had sinus surgery in May of this year. I am still in extreme pain, headaches every day and can not do much. The Dr told me today that I should expect my pain level to only be reduced to a 5 or 6 out of 10 and that I would never be able to work again. I have had the shunt adjusted several times but I have not found that to reduce the pain to an acceptable level. On a scale of 1-10 I am probably at between a 6 or 7 most of the time. I was a carpenter and have lost the ability to measure and calculate figures accurately. I have short term memory trouble and I feel like I am very easily overwhelmed. It has also made me have an almost explosive temper which is very unlike me. I thank God for my wife that she has been able to put up with me and take care of me through this horrific ordeal. I lost my insurance a few months ago so now I have no other choice but to be on NYS medicaid. I found the Skull Base Institute in Los Angeles California which actually completely removes these large cysts. Does anyone know of anyone in NY that will do that same surgery. NYS medicaid will not allow me to go to CA. Also I have heard flying can be a painful experience for someone with an arachnoid cyst. Thanks for your time. Larry
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Hi, My name is Larry I'm 49 years old and I was diagnosed with a large arachnoid cyst in Feb of 2011. It is in the left middle cranial fossa. It measures 6.6 x5.4x9.5 cm. I have had surgery and had a vp shunt put in in March of this year. I also had sinus surgery in May of this year. I am still in extreme pain, headaches every day and can not do much. The Dr told me today that I should expect my pain level to only be reduced to a 5 or 6 out of 10 and that I would never be able to work again. I have had the shunt adjusted several times but I have not found that to reduce the pain to an acceptable level. On a scale of 1-10 I am probably at between a 6 or 7 most of the time. I was a carpenter and have lost the ability to measure and calculate figures accurately. I have short term memory trouble and I feel like I am very easily overwhelmed. It has also made me have an almost explosive temper which is very unlike me. I thank God for my wife that she has been able to put up with me and take care of me through this horrific ordeal. I lost my insurance a few months ago so now I have no other choice but to be on NYS medicaid. I found the Skull Base Institute in Los Angeles California which actually completely removes these large cysts. Does anyone know of anyone in NY that will do that same surgery. NYS medicaid will not allow me to go to CA. Also I have heard flying can be a painful experience for someone with an arachnoid cyst. Thanks for your time. Larry
December 13, 2011 - 6:38pmThis Comment
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