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Hi, @cmay5691 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sounds like you have had a lot of symptoms you are facing, with the numbness and tingling in your arm, headaches, dizziness, temp control out of whack and fatigue. The anxiety also sounds really hard.
I'm hoping that members like @kyoto @abbydo @husbandandwife will return and share their experiences, and I'd also like you to meet @hopeful33250 and @johnbishop, who may also have some thoughts for you.
You mentioned not wanting to have another surgery after your previous experience with surgery on your ear. With your diagnosis with an arachnoid cyst, what did the doctor suggest as a next step, @cmay5691? Was surgery an imminent possibility?
Replies to "Hi, @cmay5691 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sounds like you have had a lot of..."
My appointment is on 12-4 with a neurosurgeon. All I know is they called it an arachnoid cyst and I've been looking up info on them and worried about surgery being what they suggest. I have what I thought was called a "wen" on my head that I figured was the cyst they were talking about. I wasn't worried about that too much until I looked up about an arachnoid cyst and where one of those is located. I don't think they are referring to the "wen" on my head but something else. Trying not to worry until I go to my appointment but my anxiety gets the better of me. I will post an update after I see the doctor on the 4th.
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Hello @cmay5691
Welcome! I'm so glad that you posted your concerns here on Connect.
Yes, surgery for rare disorders is difficult to face. I can certainly understand your apprehension and desire to avoid surgery. I hope that the information John Bishop posted will be helpful to you in facing this surgery, if you decide to go through with it.
Your symptoms sound very difficult to live with. Please remember that surgery techniques have improved over the years. Have you sought a second opinion from a doctor who has done this type of surgery often? If not, that might be a good first step. Having a confident, experienced doctor can help you to feel more positive regarding the outcome. Are you near a Mayo facility (Minnesota, Florida or Arizona).
Another member, @rose4622, had brain surgery at Mayo in Arizona several months ago. Perhaps she will join this conversation and share her thoughts and experience with you.
Vestibular Therapy is a great help for dizziness and balance problems. After your previous surgery did you have some Vestibular Therapy to help with your recovery?