Migraines and sinus

[mattleics]

I've recently been to see my GP as I was suffering from pain in and around my sinuses, mainly my eyes, nose and forehead and lightheadedness. It also felt like my ears were slightly blocked. My GP examined me and prescribed some antibiotics as this had been going on for several weeks. I've now come to the end of my course of tablets and the sinus pain is still there. Ive tried traditional remedies eg steam baths, menthol sweets and salt water nasal sprays and although they give some relief it is only temporary.

Speaking with my Aunt she mentioned my cousin, many years ago had similar sinus trouble and after months of different treatments it was eventually decided migraines were causing the sinus pain. I've only recently started suffering from migraines myself and therefore wondered if this could be my issue too.

So really I was wondering can migraines actually cause sinusitis like symptoms? If so could they really have lasted for nearly four weeks? Are there any treatments for this?

I look forward to hearing from you,

Matt

[Gary Turner]

Hi!

Pain is a signal to pay attention to something - usually caused by heat and pressure (damage or risk of damage) detected by your nerve endings. I posted earlier today on pain.

I too suffer from occassional migraines, with some amazing visual distortions! An element of the migraines will always be from psychological origins - as well as from more 'physical' origins. I'd go back to your doc's if I were you, and ask them to look at the sinuses again. Are there any problems there causing the pain? If he can't come back with any pathology, then perhaps the pain is associated learning and someone skilled in pain management, and the psychological side of it, may well be able to help. Yet I would always screen for any physical sides first...so back to the doctors I feel...

[mattleics]

Thanks for replying so quickly! Reading your reply did make me realise that when my migraines have occured its usually during a period of stress (which obviously wouldn't help the matter). I have started doing a mindfulness course to try and help with that. What you said about psychological factors also struck a chord. As I've only recently, within the last 3 months started suffering with occasional migraines, I do find myself getting a bit hypersensitive to anything which I think might be a migraine. Unfortunately the first one I had started with a spectacular, albeit a bit scary, visual disturbance whilst I was driving.

I will go back to the docs and see what he says. Thanks for the insight though its been really thought Provoking and much appreciated.

[Dr Jon Rees]

There may also be an element of 'tension headache' in what you describe - classically it is felt in the forehead, sometimes also at the nack of the head - most people describe it like a band being tightened around their head or a constriction - usually felt both sides whereas migraine is often on one side only. It often responds badly to the usual painkillers - worth addressing the underlying causes - definitely worse with stress but also prolonged driving, working on PC etc - maybe something to ask your dr about - I often treat this with a small dose of a drug called amitriptylline taken at night, which works well for many people and can be stopped after a month or two.

Hope that is of help.

[Adam Eason]

Hi Matt,

Further to the advice given already about approaching and consulting with your doctor and ruling out physiological contributions to the pain you have encountered, you also asked about other treatments and options.

Applications of hypnosis and hypnotherapy are supported with an impressive evidence-base in the treatment of pain. In fact, a number of trials and professional situations are undergoing whereby hypnosis is being used as an out-and-out alternative to anaesthesia and analgesia in surgery.

With regards to migraine pain, there are a number of applications and derivatives of these fields you could explore; mindfulness, relaxation skills (such as those used in CBT for desensitisation) and self-hypnosis. I posted one such self-hypnosis on the blog here a few weeks ago that may pique your interest:
http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/bl ... -blocking/

That said, for really mastering your psychological contribution to your pain, I'd recommend first and foremost you seek out the services of a qualified professional who'll be able to tailor solutions specifically for you. If you require any assistance doing so, I'll happily help.

Good luck and best wishes to you, Adam.

[Gary Turner]

Hi Matt, great that you found my post useful - and of course added to by Dr Jon and Adam too!

Worth noting that with my own migraines I haven't been able to work out the trigger for them. Yet, when they do occur they aren't actually that bad - I switch the pain off using self-hypnosis (Adam is one of my leading peers and possibly the world's best expert on self-hypnosis!) after first checking whether the signal from pain is telling me something.

This then leaves me free to 'explore' my migraine. I find the visual disturbances I get quite fascinating, expecially the widening of my 'blind spot' that happens. I treat my (rare) migraines as a chance to study!

This 'perception change' really helps me handle them nicely, and they don't hold me back as a result.

If stress is a trigger, then obviously being stress free would be an advantage! Stress is fatigue of the mind and body from continued anxiety, so learning how to regulate (turn the dial down) and control (on/off switch) stress (anxiety) would be of benefit. Both Adam and I are experts with working with anxiety, and my book No Worries can be found on Amazon. Nothing will beat working with a professional in a one-to-one situation however, and Adam and myself can help you find a suitable professional in your area to help you.

Defininitely still see your doctor to check if there is a physical cause though for sure!