Saturday, May 25, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013 Tiffany asks

Q: migraines or sinus?

I am a 24 year old female and I have never had migraines in my life. This past Sunday, I started feeling horrible (just very tired and no energy) and then Sunday night as I was watching tv, my vision began doing weird things. I read about aura, and that is the best way that I can describe it. Tunnel vision is good way to describe it. I went to bed with no pain but woke up Monday morning with my vision doing the same thing. I went straight to my eye doctor. He said that he did not see anything wrong but wanted to send me to a specialist the next day. After returning from the eye doctor on Monday, I had the worst pain behind my left eye that lasted a few hours. I had vomiting and nausea as well. I was fine all day Tuesday and Wednesday and was told by the eye specialists that my eyes are fine and that it could just be migraines. On Thursday, I had THREE migraines.. all beginning with the vision stuff. The pain during the last one was very severe. I was finally able to get to sleep four hours later. I also have a lot of sinus drainage, "full ears," and a scratchy throat this morning. I am waiting for my MD call me back... but I'm just worried since I have never had this before. Could this just be sinus related? Migraines?

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Answers (1)
Teri Robert, Health Guide
1/25/13 10:38am

Tiffany,

 

Hello, and welcome!

 

I can understand your worry. In your place, I'd be wanting to get to the bottom of this too.

 

Sinus headache are rare unless you have a sinus infection, and even then, they don't have the visual symptoms you describe. For more on sinus headaches, see Sinuses Giving You a Headache? It’s Probably a Migraine.

 

These could be Migraine or, from your description, they could also be cluster headaches. Most people, even some doctors, don't realize that cluster headaches can have auras that include visual symptoms, but they can.

 

I can give you information, but of course, nobody can tell you via the Internet what these headaches are. It takes a doctor who can see you in person to do that. Unexplained headache should always be checked out and diagnosed, so please continue to push with your doctors until you get a diagnosis and effective treatment.

 

If your doctor isn’t able to help, it may well be time to consult a Migraine and headache specialist. It’s important to note that neurologists aren’t necessarily Migraine and headache specialists. Take a look at the article Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special? If you need help finding a Migraine specialist, check our listing of Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists.

 

If I can help you with more information, or give you some support while you're going through this, please let me know? Please keep me posted. I'll be wondering how you're doing.

 

Welcome again,

Teri

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By Tiffany— Last Modified: 01/25/13, First Published: 01/25/13