Neurosurgeon Dr. Teo joins Michael and Kelly to challenge the “pineal cysts are always asymptomatic” dogma. He recounts the serendipity that led him to operate, why some patients improve after surgery, and how mechanical explanations (aqueduct and venous compression) can account for headaches, neuro/visual issues—and even severe psychiatric symptoms. Dr. Teo also discusses peer pushback, litigation fears, and the need for careful consent with a skilled pineal-region surgeon. The conversation acknowledges alternate hypotheses (including hormonal theories), highlights progress since the Human Connectome Project, and shares practical guidance for patients seeking help.If you’ve been told “it’s all in your head,” this one is for you.

In this deeply moving conversation, Glenda shares her 11-year-old son’s journey with two brain cysts—a pineal gland cyst (~1.3 cm) and a cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) cyst (~6.2 cm)—and the uphill battle to be heard. Despite multiple MRIs and escalating neurological symptoms (vision loss/“upside-down” vision, severe headaches, anisocoria, behavioral episodes, leg tremors, learning and auditory processing challenges), several providers dismissed a cyst-symptom connection. Michael and Kelly reflect on their own experience, discuss hope, advocacy, and options, and encourage next steps with specialists who take symptomatic pineal cysts seriously.

Content note: pediatric medical distress, dismissal by providers.

If this episode resonates, share it with another family, leave a review, and visit pinealstories.com to submit your storyand find resources. Your voice helps shift the medical conversation.

Chelsea’s symptoms began in her early 20s—debilitating headaches, blinding light sensitivity, nausea, dizziness, fainting, and profound insomnia. Years later, during pregnancy, everything escalated. Despite repeated ER trips and specialist visits, she was told it was “just hormones,” “just blood pressure,” “post-COVID,” or even “all in your head.”

After pulling her own MRI from MyChart, she discovered an “incidental” pineal cyst. What followed was medical gaslighting, a devastating decline, suspected mini-strokes, and a fight to be believed. A second-opinion path led her to a neurosurgical consult and, ultimately, surgery on August 15 (last year). Today, Chelsea is one year post-op—and her symptoms are gone. She shares what changed immediately after surgery (hearing, light sensitivity, memory), the toll on her family, and the hope she wants others to find sooner.

Content Note

This episode includes discussion of severe illness, medical gaslighting, and suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please seek help immediately (e.g., call/text 988 in the U.S.).

Key Moments / Chapters

• Host intro & disclaimer
• Early 20s: migraines, light sensitivity; first pregnancy (2016) and a sudden collapse
• “Incidental finding”: Chelsea reads her own MRI report in MyChart (pineal cyst noted)
• Gaslighting & misdiagnoses: anxiety/depression labels, “slow-growing cyst,” “COVID,” even accusations of fabricated records
• Cleveland Clinic second opinion: cyst vs. pineocytoma; ongoing decline and suspected mini-strokes
• Community matters: finding the pineal cyst support group and real validation
• Referral, workup & candid talk: “You don’t do brain surgery for headaches”—why this was far more
• Surgery day (Aug 15): what changed right away (hearing clarity, light tolerance)
• One-year post-op: symptoms gone; memory returning; cycles normalizing
• Family perspective: caregiver strain, guilt, and rebuilding after survival
• Creativity during illness vs. after recovery—how the brain “felt different”
• Closing reflections: awareness, advocacy, and what Chelsea wants others to know

Takeaways

• “Incidental” doesn’t mean irrelevant—symptoms matter.
• If you’re not being heard, a second opinion (and your records) can be life-changing.
• Chronic stress from undiagnosed illness can impair memory and functioning.
• Recovery can take time—but full, durable relief is possible.
• Caregivers need space and support, too.

Notable Quotes

• “It wasn’t just headaches.”
• “I was told it was anxiety, COVID—anything but what it was.”
• “Waking up from surgery, I heard my husband’s voice so clearly.”
• “One year later, my symptoms are gone.”
• “A ‘slow-growing cyst’ was slowly killing me.”

In this episode of Pineal Stories, we welcome Michael Blomberg, our first guest from Europe. Michael, a 52-year-old father and IT professional from Sweden, shares his journey from the first signs of unexplained dizziness to navigating the country’s healthcare system and searching for answers about his symptomatic pineal cyst.

Michael candidly describes the life changes brought on by his condition—panic attacks, vertigo, and daily pain—and the mental strain of living with symptoms that are often dismissed. He also explains how Sweden’s public healthcare system both supports and challenges patients seeking specialized treatment, including his attempts to connect with neurosurgeons across Europe.

Despite the struggles, Michael speaks about resilience, the importance of family, and the support he’s found through patient communities. His story highlights both the personal toll of symptomatic pineal cysts and the hope that comes from connection and persistence.

Key Topics Discussed

• Michael’s first symptoms and panic attacks while driving and working.
• Challenges in Sweden’s healthcare system, including wait times and access to specialists.
• The emotional and family impact of chronic dizziness and pain.
• Experiences seeking second opinions from neurosurgeons in Sweden, Norway, and Germany.
• The financial and emotional costs of considering surgery abroad.
• Coping strategies, community support, and the shift from “living life” to “surviving life.”

About Michael Blomberg

Michael is an IT professional living in a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden. A father of three and part of a blended family, he balances his professional work with daily challenges caused by a pineal cyst. He has become an advocate within Scandinavian patient groups, working to raise awareness and provide community support for others navigating similar paths.

In this eye-opening episode of Pineal Stories, we hear from Paxton, a 14-year-old whose life has been shaped by watching his mother navigate the challenges of living with a symptomatic pineal cyst. With a rare combination of honesty and empathy, Paxton speaks candidly about the emotional weight, day-to-day adjustments, and misunderstood realities faced by families supporting someone with a chronic, often invisible illness.

Through his own words, Paxton gives voice to the children and teenagers who live this experience—balancing school, friendships, and their own emotions while adapting to the unpredictable changes in a loved one’s health. He describes moments of frustration, deep concern, and unwavering love, offering a perspective rarely heard in medical or patient advocacy discussions.

His story is a powerful reminder that chronic illness affects entire families—not just the patient—and that empathy, communication, and awareness are essential for healing and support.

🎙️ Episode 7: “Emily E"

Welcome to Pineal Stories, the podcast that gives voice to those living with symptomatic pineal cysts — a condition often dismissed, misunderstood, and under-researched.

In this powerful episode: Emily shares her story of struggling to understand what was happening, quick action and an incredible timeline!

🧠 You will hear many more stories like this in this series. These are not rare cases. These are people. And their voices matter.

🔍 In This Episode:

• Personal account of worry and fear over symptoms and sick leave from work
• Symptoms and patterns, many of which are shared across patient experiences
• The return of Fun Mom!

💡 Resources & Links:

• Visit our website: pinealstories.com
• Learn more about pineal cyst symptoms and advocacy
• Share your story or contact us: pineal.stories@gmail.com

🎵 Credits:

Music: "What I Waited For" by Kikoru – Licensed via Epidemic Sound

📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday

In this heartfelt and powerful episode of Pineal Stories, we meet Nicole, a 35-year-old from Waiehu, Maui, whose life has been profoundly impacted by a pineal mass. Pre-surgical but optimistic, Nicole shares her 15-year journey from her first debilitating symptoms in 2009—migraines, vertigo, visual disturbances, and fatigue—to the challenges of being dismissed, misdiagnosed, and passed between specialists.

Nicole opens up about losing her career as a florist, adapting to part-time caregiving, and coping with daily limitations in basic self-care. She details frightening episodes, including syncope, seizure, and prolonged vertigo, alongside the emotional toll of isolation and uncertainty.

Throughout her story, she emphasizes the critical importance of doctors who listen, the life-changing discovery of an online support community, and her growing hope in pursuing surgery with Dr. Patel—one of the few neurosurgeons specializing in symptomatic pineal cysts. Nicole also discusses possible links between the pineal gland, melatonin, immune system regulation, and her autoimmune conditions, calling for more research and awareness.

This episode is a raw, inspiring reminder of the resilience required to navigate complex, often misunderstood medical conditions—and the hope that comes with finally being heard.

In this groundbreaking episode of Pineal Stories, we sit down with two of the most pivotal figures in the movement toward recognizing symptomatic pineal cysts: Dr. Sunil Patel, Chair of Neurosurgery at the Medical University of South Carolina, and his longtime PA, Jared Nix. Together, they’ve evaluated and operated on hundreds of patients whose lives were deeply affected by pineal cysts—many dismissed by the medical community until they found their way to MUSC.

Dr. Patel shares how one unexpected recovery changed the trajectory of his career and sparked a quest to understand why some pineal glands grow, why they might become symptomatic, and what the gland might actually be producing. Jared Nix provides insight into what it's like to walk with patients from intake to follow-up, sharing moving stories of transformation and cautious hope.

This episode covers:

• The origin of Dr. Patel’s interest in pineal cysts
• The surgical risks and outcomes of over 300 cases
• How families often see improvements before patients do
• The challenge of moving the needle in the broader medical community
• Honest reflections on uncertainty, responsibility, and the limits of current science

You’ll also hear from Kelly, a former patient, and host Michael, as they reflect on their personal experience—from crisis to recovery—and the profound impact of this team’s work on their family.

This conversation is honest, emotional, and essential listening for anyone living with—or treating—symptomatic pineal cysts.