I've managed to get my migraines under control but now I am struggling with sinus headaches. I live in the mountains and the weather can change every hour. Over the counters for sinus pressure don't do anything and neither does imitrex. Is there any way I can relieve the pressure?
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Sinus headahces
5/14/09 3:59pm
I have suffered with sinus problems for years. I was discussing this during one of my sons soccer games and two different parents from his team swear by using a neti pot. I have not tried it myself and it sounds disgusting but they claim it truly works. When I work up the courage I will try it. If it truly is a sinus problem this might help. ( I also get migraines but the headaches are so different for me that I have no problem telling which type I am suffering from.)
5/14/09 7:37pm
5/14/09 7:39pm
5/14/09 10:55pm
5/15/09 12:14am
Hi Nebula
Start with nasal flushing. Something cheaper than neti pot, buy saline solution, cup your hand, pour saline, close one nostril off, sniff saline, then snort, repeat in other nostril. Do this 3 times a day first 2 weeks, back off to twice daily thereafter. Helped me, I've been doing it for over 3 months now, my accupuncturist, Pain Management Doctor and Primary Care also swear by this.
Then get yourself to Ear Nose Throat Specialist, I did, she did allergy testing and also found larger than normal size nasal turbinates which she said when I react to pollen etc, they inflame and push against septum and can trigger my migraines (I have suffered migraines for over 21 years). I had Radio Frequency Turbinate procedure 3 days ago, waiting to see my response over next 2 weeks. Trust me I feel like I've tried everything, my sinuses feel like they are kicking in too, but really, unsure, willing to try everything. Hope this helps.
5/16/09 2:12pm
Thanks for all of your suggestions!
I actually do have a neti pot...but I hate using it. I do just need to will myself to put it up my nose more often.
I talked to my doctor about it, and she definitely thought that my "sinus headaches" were just a different feeling migraine. I think she's right b/c these headaches do get worse with time and my neck always feels stiff along with all of the facial pressure.
She gave me some samples of a medicine called Singulaire. It's for asthma but she said it has worked for other people with weather related migraines (although she did mention that she was not sure why it worked...just that it did sometimes)
I'm supposed to take it when I know a front will be passing through. I did this the other day and I didn't have a headache. I'll need to take it a few more times to make sure it wasn't a fluke.
at least spring is turning into summer!
5/16/09 2:25pm
Yes putting something up my nose is daunting, that's why I use the saline method and cupping. I dislike using drugs and avoid at all costs. There are simple exercises you can do daily to help with your neck and shoulders also. I am glad you have a motivated doc, maybe she can help w exercises too. Good luck with it all and enjoy your summer! jo
5/17/09 4:26pm
Saline nasal baths help me as well, as do hot and cold compresses on forehead and neck, Migranal and rescue meds. Dark glasses, earplugs -- even when working in a dark office with blinds drawn and doors shut -- seem to help. I have gel headache bands made by TheraMed that are wonderful.. I keep them in office freezer and home freezer. You can wrap them around your head wherever you need them. Velcro closings. Cover it with a scarf if you're feeling self-conscious wearing it out of the house. I wear them to meetings at work while dressed as professionally as I can otherwise so as to not lessen people's confidence in my abilities to get job done despite my disability.
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Hi Nebula,
A common belief is that we have a "sinus" headache when in fact it really may be a Migraine. It is easy to understand how we can think that especially when we have symptoms , because there are tons of medications labeled for "sinus" headache.
A "real" sinus headaches is usually a side effect of a sinus infection, which is a common ailment. Thirty seven million Americans get at least one sinus infection every year, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Some symptoms of a sinus infection include fever, swollen lymph nodes and a persistent green or yellow nasal discharge. If these symptoms aren't present and you still have a headache, you likely have Migraines, said Dr. Eross from the Mayo clinic in AZ, who lead a study on sinus headache. Sinuses Giving You a Headache? It's Probably Migraine has lots of information for you.
Weather certainly may trigger a Migraine attack, along with certain foods, not enough or too much sleep and dehydration. Add these up and "stackable triggers" could be a real problem. Check out Migraine trigger page for information HERE. Stackable triggers occur when, let's say, the weather pressure changes, you are dehydrated and woke up late - stacked so to speak. This article has more information: Fay + Stackable Triggers = Migraines for Me! Teri also did a podcast on triggers that is wonderful: Migraine Trigger Identification and Management
I hope this helps.