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I get bumps/pimples on the back of my neck when I get headaches???

I've had bad headaches all my life, had sinus surgery two years ago to try to help it since sinus infections were a major cause of the headaches. Recently I've noticed that I get bumps/pimples on the back of my neck that go along with the headaches. I still cant narrow down which comes first (the headaches or the bumps) but the ENT said she's never heard of this and thinks it might just be a coincidence. I had issues with my neurologist (long story) and have to wait until late January to see the new one, just wondering if anyone has any feedback on this issue.

I do have the same thing with the sinus infection/headaches- I break out in pimples on and around my nose when I get those. Just a weird oddity or something more? TIA

  1. Hi 2talll,

    Welcome to the Migraine.com discussion forum - we're glad you found us!

    I've not heard this before. When I blow my nose frequently, due to cold or what have you, I tend to get pimples around my nose.

    Do you apply anything to your neck during these "headaches"? Cold/hot packs, cream or lotion to help ease muscle tension? These may contribute to pimples, but I'm not a medical professional and am just suggesting things.

    It sounds like an accurate diagnosis is needed. When we have the correct diagnosis and learn about it, we can get the correct treatment. Does that make sense?

    I hope the new neurologist you'll be seeing is educated in migraine disease!

    Keep me posted on how you are feeling,
    Nancy

    1. Nope, don’t apply anything to my neck when I have the headaches. The breaking out on my nose, the ENT said, may be due to swelling in my sinuses “pushing out” on my pores, so maybe that’s the same with my neck.

      Who knows. Last neurologist just put me on random meds to “see how it goes” and when the meds really messed me up neurologically (I swear I’m still not right) almost two years ago to the point I couldn’t remember anything and got super anxious, I decided trying the sinus surgery was a better option. He got butt hurt about that choice and refused to even continue seeing me- saying I’m “no longer his patient” as I “chose the sinus route over the neurological path.” Had to actually get my GP to prescribe the medication so I could wene off it like it said I should.

      1. Hi 2tall,

        I'm sorry to hear about that doctor. In my humble opinion, a doctor who isn't open to other ideas or second opinions may not be the doctor for me.

        How are you feeling now?

        Nancy

      2. Horrible! I’m waking up with awful headaches nearly every morning. If I don’t do anything and relax they go away eventually throughout the day but I ended up on leave at work because of I went to work with a headache it just got worse and kept getting worse.

        My ENT suggested a new neurologist, just waiting until late January for the next available appointment. I’m tempted to say screw it and find another one- but like my GP says “if they have available appointments soon, there’s a reason.”

    2. Hi 2tall,

      I'm so sorry to hear that!! I think seeing another neurologists, hopefully well informed in migraine disease, is a great idea!!

      Did we talk about waking with migraine pain? Many times when this happens, it's an indication there is a sleep issue, and not only sleep apnea. Other sleep issues include restless leg and periodic limb movement disorder - I have both - which can negatively impact our sleep cycle, resulting in morning migraine attacks. You may want to discuss having a sleep study with the doctor.

      Looking forward to hearing from you,
      Nancy

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