Migraines or sinus headaches?

[lag713]

I've experienced what I believe to be migraine a few times over the past year. I would describe it as a severe headache that is generally bilateral on the front of my head, it is painful with throbbing, pressure, and occasionally a stabbing pain behind my eye. I become sensitive to light and sound and very nauseous. I find the best way to feel better is to rest in a dark, quiet room or go to bed very early. This happened this weekend and I proceeded to sleep nearly 11 hours straight. It generally occurs in the late afternoon or evening.

I have not seen a doctor about this issue so I am unsure if it is a true migraine or a sinus headache, etc. It seems to fit the definition of a migraine, however. I mentioned it to my rheumatologist months ago and she said that I should see a neurologist about it. At the time, she had also recommended I see a cardiologist, pulmonologist, and ophthalmologist. I was overwhelmed with visits and follow ups with the cardiologist and pulmonologist so I never sought a neurologist in part because I didn't know where to start. It also hasn't been an issue for a few weeks so I didn't seek help.

Do you suffer from sinus headaches or migraines? What is it like for you? Is it related to GPA or is it pre-existing? How do you treat it? What has your experience been like to receive a diagnosis and treatment?

Thank you in advance for your replies!

[drz]

I have had pain from sinus infections but yours sounds very much like a migraine headache. There are doctors who have a lot experience treating migraine headaches and it could be a neurologist in your area. I think seeing the eye doctor is also very important since Wegs can also attack your eyes and people have lost their vision due to Wegs. Do the specialists you have seen also recommend seeing a neurologist?

[lag713]

Yes, my rheumatologist recommended I see a neurologist but I felt overwhelmed with seeing the other specialists so I put it off. I guess I'm looking for some Wegs specific migraine info because I'm unsure of the expertise a potential neurologist would have about wegs. I would like to go to the appt prepared. I'm a bit anxious about it but I know I shouldn't feel that way.

I want to see an ophthalmologist but I'm currently underinsured. My husband and I decided to go with my medical and his dental/eye care. Unfortunately, we didn't realize that his eye care covers an optometrist but it doesn't cover an ophthalmologist. It is his medical insurance that covers the ophthalmologist. My insurance is the opposite. So, we unintentionally left me without appropriate coverage. We will switch medical over to his insurance this September and see an eye doc promptly.

I have facial/nasal pain too but the migraine is completely different.

[drz]

A good optometrist can also exam your exams for any problems and inform you if you really need an ophthalmologist for any treatment that the optometrist can't do. Then they would also help you with a referral to be seen quickly.

I have often seen both and found the optometrists seem to do better for me in prescribing corrective lenses but only the MDs can do surgery for cataracts and other things. Both checked my eye pressure as I have glaucoma and both have taken pix of instead of my eyes to check for problems. When Wegs attacked my eyes, I was treated successfully by an optometrist so seeing one should be OK for you.

[PJ2010]

Just a thought. When my disease first struck it was a runny nose and a few weeks later, a severe headache.

I have aver never been victim to migraine headaches so this was new to me.

The headache was right around the head and I found my upper forehead painfully to touch.

the way I described my headache was a hangover style headache. It was with me 24/7.

For short term relief I was taking about 12 heavy painkillers a day.

A warning. After nine months living like that I suffered a burst stomach ulcer and nearly died.

Hope that helps.

[Alias]

I would think that the medical portion of your coverage would pay for the opthalmologist consult, since this would be for evaluation of possible/potential effects of GPA, and not a routine exam. It makes sense that the standard "vision" coverage could exclude an MD because you generally only need an optometrist to get your vision tested and lenses prescribed. However,if you are being evaluated for a complex medical problem it makes sense that they would pay for a provider who has a medical degree. Not that insurance necessarily makes sense... but you might want to look into it by contacting your insurer and/or researching the terms of your policy closely.

[godgirl]

First off, I agree with Tom. Check your insurance. Most insurance will cover an ophthalmologist if there is a medical condition. Your exclusion may be just for routine eye exams. My two cents.

Second, I've suffered migraines for most of my life. Waaaaaayyyyy before all the auto immune junk. What does it sound like to me? That a sinus headache turns into a migraine. The light and sound sensitivity and nausea are classic symptoms of a migraine. However, it might have started out as a sinus headache. Does that make sense?

So what do I do for them... Depending on the severity, depends on what I do. If i can still function, I use Excedrine Migraine. It works well. I also get some additional caffeine in my system (excedrine has caffeine in it). If it's bad, I take a prescription med I have for it.

A hot shower just before you rest might help, as well as a hot compress/washcloth where the pain is. I also wrap my head in a towel when I lay down - covering my eyes and ears with it so most light and sound is blocked.

I also saw a neurologist with all this stuff recently. She advised me to take 400mg of riboflavin daily as a preventative. It's vitamin B2. I actually get mine on Amazon. Not sure if this will help you if it's starting off as a sinus headache. For me, I think they're working.

You might also want to document/track them. My primary doc finds this helpful. For instance, just before my first flare last fall, I noticed my migraines increased dramatically. It was interesting to see the pattern.

Jen

[LisaT]

I've had awful and increasingly frequent headaches lately. Mine seem to start with the muscles and/or tiny joints at the base of my skull, but turn Into what feels like a migraine. I've been icing the sub occipital (base of skull) area which gives me some relief. Yours sound different and more like 'true' migraines. If you haven't already, you should ask for an MRI of your head. This can rule out Wegs in your head. I'm awaiting results from one I had a week ago. I think I read somewhere they can even see lesions from migraines? I was surprised by that and don't know whether it's true but maybe worth finding out..

[godgirl]

Lisa, they can see lesions caused by migraines. Found that out first hand this spring... :-/