New visitor: Questions about Migraine/Anxiety

Hi all,

I hope this finds you well, and that this forum is providing relief and answers to move past the issues this condition brings.

Basically, I wanted to just give a quick background and hopefully get a little feedback or advice regarding what's going on, and basically just gain a little education here.

I'm fairly sure most of my headaches are migraines. (I have had visual aura on some, but mostly not.) They come on slowly, generally feel centered around the front of my head. I also get neck soreness/stiffness. I also feel like sometimes my nose will be a little stuffed or swollen, generally on one side. I can have facial tenderness.
I think it's for these reasons I initially called them "sinus headaches" .... despite having no proof of that. These can last for 12-48 hours... and always come with a sick feeling. The headache itself can be bad, but it generally tops out at a 7 or 8 on a scale of 10. But the other symptoms are many. Nausea, a general sick feeling, chills at times, shakiness and heightened anxiety and sometimes panic. (More on that in a minute.) My diet is consistent. If anything, I feel like these come at times when I've been more stressed and things are slowing down. There is no obvious trigger, though. My mom gets migraines, aura often.

So, while I can't be sure... at least some of these headaches seem like migraines? I don't match the symptoms for other headaches as well.

So, its a really long story but essentially I started having the headaches back in 2010 during a stressful time. (Which I didn't know was stressful.) But, it came with all of the other symptoms so I thought I was actually sick. As it kept happening every few days or weeks, I got more concerned. I started to worry more... which led to some mild anxiety. (looking back.) Finally, a doctor gave me a bunch of meds at once which sent me into pure panic and I ended up in the ER. This sparked off a full fledged anxiety/panic disorder... for which they tried me on meds which made it worse, and I had a 18 month withdrawal period from benzo meds they rx'd me.

So, I have started anxiety therapy a couple years ago. I've gotten on with my life. The panic and anxiety still remains with me daily, but it's better. My average day is improving. The headaches can come and go. They were actually gone for quite a while before returning recently with more consistency. I finally put 2+2 together to realize... these migraines certainly seem to be tied into my panic/anxiety. In fact, like today... I had little or no panic... and when the headache started, I felt it physically ramp up. I don't think it's all in my mind, either... as in just worry.... it physically feels like it affects my body. I feel shaky, more nervous, etc. These can also happen in the middle of my sleep and wake me up with severe headache, and all of the sick symptoms.

I have some mild light sensitivity and other sx that are common. But I have to say, my migraines (?) don't sound exactly like most people's I read about.

In any case, sorry for the novel. I'm just wondering if any part of this story resonates with anyone... anything they've gone through or heard? Any advice on management, physically or even psychologically.
I'm also curious if anyone has a strong feeling if these are indeed migraines because I am frankly nowhere near as educated on them as you all I'm sure... as it's more just recently that it's become clear that may be what they are. And hence, I'm wondering how they are affecting my nervous system condition. (Anxiety.)
(I've also been through the mild MVP diagnosis and had IBS at times in life but no real panic disorder until a few years ago at age 41.) I also wonder at times which was the chicken and the egg for me?

Thanks for reading... and I truly appreciate any input. Have a great holiday weekend.

B