Migraines/Sinus Disease

Hi Everyone...Good Day Starting I Hope...Has anyone ever had their migraines caused by chronic sinus problems? My neurologist sent me for a CT Scan, and sent me to an ENT who wasn't helpful at all. When insurance comes through, I'm probably going to go with Botox. Any thoughts? Thanks, Doreen

My migraines are worse when I have a sinus infection........it is hard though for me to tell when a sinus infection is brewing and not just my regular migraines. So when more sinus type symptoms begin I try and wait it out hoping it is just migraine but I eventually end up calling my doc and going on antibiotics. My doc thinks that when I have a sinus infection that causes inflammation that in turn "upsets" my facial nerves and my very migraine-sensitive brain.

Hi Doreen,
can you describe what you are feeling?

I definitely get pain around my eyes, a feeling of pressure in my ears and pressure behind my nose. I don't really consider it to be a sinus problem though. Despite how it feels, I believe (for myself)that its a neurologic problem. Either an actual inflammation of the nerves (autoimmune style) running to those parts of my face or some perceived discomfort. I say that because I simultaneously get pain on the skin of my face and I don't actually get the other (mucusy) symptoms of a sinus infection.

Hi Marco1968...Well, with my sinuses, I had to get 3 sinus operations...they couldn't seem to get it right. Finally they said that my sinus valve collapse and deviated septum were ok now. After seeing my neurologist, she ordered a CT Scan showing alot of inflammation in my cheek areas. The ENT who was very non-compassionate tried to treat me with a Steroid nasal spray and to flush my sinuses I think at least twice a day. Unfortunately, either one of those two treatments make my migraines worse. I am in the process of waiting for Botox injections, but have also made another appt with a better ENT in September. In the meantime, level 10 is an everyday occurance. My greatest means of sanity right now is to try to not give the migraine/pain the upper hand. Alot of times, easier said than done. No means of pain relief right now. I don't know if that helped, Marco, but good luck with what you are dealing with.

I saw two different ENT drs . Both insisted M do not start due to sinus problems. They looked at CT and MRI film. I believe they meant that for all who have M.

doreen and jewishmother,

my symptoms seem exactly like jewishmother's. having had 3 surgeries on the nose and sinuses, my ENT pretty much agrees that it's the inflammation. but taking anti-inflammatories, carries its own set of problems.

i'm on abx right now, for another several days. i have to go on them every 2-3 months as it's the only thing that helps my head. egad, what an ongoing saga, right? mine's been this way for about 25 years.

i'm very grateful to have found, at last, a marvelous, compassionate ENT who "gets is" and gives me abx if i need them, usually over the phone. he knows i've tried nearly all that's out there in medical-land. dianne

I appreciate your email, and I'm wondering what abx is? Hope you are doing well. Thanks, Doreen

ANTIBIOTICS! i've been on 'em for so many years, i have to use shorthand. lol, dianne

Hi....So, you take antibiotics alot...I understand what you're saying. Do you do anything for the migraines? Have you tried the Botox treatment or have any thoughts on it. If you feel like it, perhaps you can tell me what other things you have tried for your migraine pain. Are you saying also...that you have chronic sinus disease? My ENT wanted me to use a steroid nose spray and to irrigate twice a day, both of which give me searing pain in my forehead...that is where most of my migraine pain goes. Everyday! So, how is your day going today?

doreen, i'll write more at a later time. i'm off to work now.

yes, i take a lot of triptan drugs for the migraines, and have done so ever since they came on the market about 19 years ago. they get me through life, along with abx every 2-3 months. I HATE DOING THIS, mind you, but have tried everything else out there.

it might be useful for you to read my history of everything you mention, but i don't suppose everyone here would be interested.

so, you can PM me/private message, if you like. dianne

I've suffered from migraines for around 4 years now, I'm only 14 so its hard to cope because I miss so much school... Anyway, last year I had an MRI Scan, it showed I've had a sinus infection for 4-5 years. Although all my doctors say MRI Scans aren't actually accurate, hence why people get CT scans (I'm not allowed one due to my age). I've been on every single spray and drop for my nose... None of which works. Mines only on my left side, as I get shooting pains on that side when I have a migraine. Overall I have; migranious headaches, chronic left maxillary & ethmoid sinusitus. I'm due to have surgery (washout) to fix it, so hopefully that works. I guess there's no point to this post reply ... but I'm so so so happy to realise I'm not the only person who experiences all this. I feel so lonely and distant from everyone, its nice to know I'm not the only one. I hope things improve for you xxx

Hi, I keep trying to write a reply, but the migraine page discussion forum keeps getting eaten up....Does this happen to anyone else?

Carlylooloo--My son is 14 and just had a CT scan performed. If you have a good pediatric allergist, they should be able to help you get a CT scan. He is getting another CT scan in 1 month, in his follow up visit. Good luck!

rileyoday wrote:I saw two different ENT drs . Both insisted M do not start due to sinus problems. They looked at CT and MRI film. I believe they meant that for all who have M.

That is correct. If you pick up pretty much any book on migraines written in the last 15 years or so, there will be a chapter called something like "The myths of sinus and tension headache". The old theory, was there were three types of headache: migraine, tension and sinus. The pathology of tension headache was supposedly vascular. The blood vessels in your head dilated, putting pressure on the surrounding tissue. The pathology of sinus headache was supposedly rooted in sinus disfunction.

The medical field has moved on, and while there are other headache types besides migraine, (cluster, HC, etc), current theory is that what used to be called tension and sinus headache are in fact migraine -- which is a genetically determined CNS disorder w/ a neurological mechanism of action.