Sinus issues and migraines?
I have had cluster migraines for 20+ years. Recently during the last month long bout of and on, I have had a sinus issue that seems to be producing low grade migraines. Same duration but less painful than a standard migraine. Could all my issues with migraines stem from sinus issues? I usually get sinus blockage from a migraine but lately it seems to be the reverse, sinus blockage producing a migraine. Have I been interpreting these wrong this entire time?
Hello! I was diagnosed with rhinitis allergy and actually I had symptoms of sinusitis. For a long time I was blaming my migraines for this, because the pain started in my nose, it has hard to breath and after de pain was spreading around the eyes and head. My doctor suggested to operate my nose. After that I was able to breathe better and the nose pain improved but the migraines got worsen. Try to consult different doctors to be sure if one thing is related with the other, before to start a treatment. Good luck
Hi whis333,
Thank you for your question. Many times what we think of as sinus issues are really migraine attacks. In fact this may be the case in nearly 80% of people who think they have sinus issues but are migraine attacks.
Migraine attack symptoms can include but are not limited sinus pressure, facial/cheek/tooth/forehead pain, congestion, runny nose, watery eyes and more. Here is more information on this; https://migraine.com/migraine-types/sinus-migraine/.
I did want to mention there is not an actual diagnosis of "cluster migraine". Cluster headache attacks and migraine attacks are each primary headache disorders, which means they are not cause by anything else. They can however, occur at the same time.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is important as this allows us to get the proper treatment and learn all we can about our particular type of headache disorder (s) as it's possible to have more than one type. You may want to seek out the expertise of a doctor who is well educated in treating migraine and headache disease.
I hope this helps.
Wishing you a low pain day,
Nancy
