There might be hope…
I was talking to a mom at Seth’s preschool today who gets migraines too. She said hers is related to her sinuses. I felt like the clouds parted and a choir of angles was singing, “Ahhhh-mennnn” because for quite some time I’d insist to my neurologist that my migraine dramas were sinus-related. The good doctor would look at me like I was a moron and tell me there was no connection between the two. Then he’d prescribe some anti-seizure, beta blocker, antidepressant, or anti-anxiety med that would render me dazed and confused (ok, more so than normal) and I’d STILL get a bunch of migraines.
She went on to tell me she’s had some sort of surgery to “roto-root” her sinuses. (The fact that she used the words “roto-root” made me adore her ever the more.) She said they made her migraines a bit better. I’m going to try to get her doctor’s name at some point here and look into that. Cause these days I’m up several times a night just because there’s so much pain and pressure in my face that if I don’t take more Benadryl and ibuprofen I wake up with the monster migraine from hell…
Course my guess is that the only thing our insurance will cover is someone sticking two little firecrackers up my nose and lighting the end… But at this point? I’m thinking that’s not such a bad idea. My ears ring constantly now anyway…
P.S if you have any advice with this sinus stuff, PLEASE let me know!
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By Amber, February 8, 2007 @ 8:51 pm
I don’t have any advice on migraines but I’ve had sinus problems for YEARS. Mine stems from blocked nasal passages/ septems that led to some surgeries that never worked. And ye olde nose is worse off than ever. I can TOTALLY see how nose problems can lead to others.
By Alissa, February 8, 2007 @ 10:49 pm
A co-worker of mine had the roto-root thing done on her sinuses. I don’t know that she got migraines, but she had terrible sinus headaches, recurring infecitons, and nearly constant sinus pressure. The procedure seemed to work miracles for her. She says the headaches are nearly nonexistent and the pressure is gone.
By Andrea, February 8, 2007 @ 11:39 pm
That’s the surgery my husband had in November right before I had my colonoscopy (another roto-rooting but I won’t go there, except that I think I just did). He says it helped. He had some headaches, though not exactly migraines. They are gone. And he can breathe! Also? No more bloody noses. Daily bloody noses. Gone.
This might be a smart move. At the very least, that doctor might have some ideas besides surgery to try first.
By Stacy, February 9, 2007 @ 1:25 am
I’m a nurse and had the roto-root done (fancy name is a septo-fess). Like you I was having frequent migraines.. after an MRI showed seriously jacked up sinus cavities, my neuro believed the migraines were sinus related and sent me to an ENT for the surgery.
The downside: it’s a horrible surgery to recover from. I’m a trauma nurse, used to gore, and at times the things required for post-op care were a little gross even for me. And the pain is fierce! But after a couple weeks you feel better and 3 years later I’ve only had 2 migraines.
By Lori, February 9, 2007 @ 2:36 am
Yes, I have had that surgery. I can tell you all about it in an email. Much too much detail to leave in a blog comment. I’m not convinced it did everything it was supposed to do, though. My headaches have improved.
You should pay attention to the barometer. I find that when the barometer starts dropping around 30 inches or lower, WHAMMO! I have awful sinus problems. Apparently this is not uncommon.
Email me through my profile. I will be glad to share my experience with you.
By Lori, February 9, 2007 @ 3:18 am
PS - Unless you have allergies, too, I would lay off the Benadryl. If you truly have sinus problems, taking Benadryl or any antihistamine will only harden whatever goop is trapped in your sinus cavities.
Instead, when you get pain/pressure in your face, try taking a Sudafed (the stuff you have to buy from the pharmacy counter these days, NOT the substitute PE kind–that stuff just don’t cut it!) or two every 4-6 hours. Start with just 1 Sudafed, though…you may find you’re sensitive to 2 of them. I am–I only take one, otherwise I start getting heart palpitations and it scares me.
Also, I take 2 Aleve every 12 hours or 3-4 Advils every 6-8 hours. That sounds like a lot, but it really isn’t, as long as your stomach isn’t empty and you’re not taking it constantly. Those are the prescription dosages. If I take an NSAID like Aleve or Advil, I also take 2 Extra-Strength Tylenol, because acetaminophen works to reduce pain differently than NSAIDs. It’s safe, trust me.
However, if the pain is truly awful, like the kind where I feel nauseated and photophobic, I always carry some Darvocet with me at all times. Gotta pull out the big guns once in a while. In those instances, I take 2 Aleve and 1 Darvocet and 1 Sudafed, and within an hour I’m usually OK. I call it my cocktail. LOL.
Also, use saline spray as much as you want in your nostrils–it won’t hurt at all. Even better, get Sinucleanse from the pharmacy or a neti pot from a health-food store and use that twice a day. I find that REALLY helps.
And sleep with a humidifier if you can.
The End. For now.
I feel your pain, Lisa. I really do!
By Lori, February 9, 2007 @ 3:26 am
PPS - it’s important not to take any additional tylenol/acetaminophen if you take Darvocet, Percocet, etc. because those prescription drugs already contain acetaminophen too.
Last one, I promise!
By SUEB0B, February 9, 2007 @ 3:31 am
One of my friends found out her migraines were milk related. She quit milk and it helped a lot. Stress was also a factor.
By Mayberry, February 9, 2007 @ 4:35 am
No advice but I hope you get some relief. Headaches are so miserable.
By 5penny, February 9, 2007 @ 4:57 am
oh girl, I feel for you. At least you’re one step closer to getting this crap figured out…
At the risk of sounding like a freak, both my sister and her daughter go to a chiropractor for sinus pressure relieving adjustments.
By carrie, February 9, 2007 @ 6:47 am
Sounds like you may have found a solution…and a new friend. Anyone who shares funny little quips like that has got to be worth getting to know better - if only for her Doc’s name!
Wishing you lots of luck migraine sister!
Carrie
By Christina_the_wench, February 9, 2007 @ 8:02 am
My mom had the roto-rooter surgery long time ago. It did help with everything, sinues, migraines, sleeping, etc…
Check into it, hun.
By reformattingmybrain, February 9, 2007 @ 3:35 pm
I’ve known people to have that done and it helped! Check into it! Hopefully it’ll give you some relief
By Tuesday Girl, February 9, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
My mother had two sinus surgeries for her frequent infections and her migraines.
What her doctor told her to do to prevent it is to use the neti pot and drain her sinuses. She claims it really works.
HTH
By Jennifer, February 9, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
My fingers are crossed for you! I hope this works out for you. Surgery is no fun, but if it works it will be well worth it!
By Reba, February 9, 2007 @ 5:47 pm
I don’t have any advice, but I will keep my fingers crossed that this works for you.
By Kristin, February 9, 2007 @ 7:46 pm
omg… keep the information coming.
By Jaelithe, February 10, 2007 @ 1:11 am
Holy Hannah your headache ordeal sounds terrible! I can’t give you advice on this subject but I wish you the very best of luck.
(Oh, and, uh, do you want me to come over and wash your dishes sometime?)
By Samantha, February 10, 2007 @ 2:37 am
I get sinus headaches all the time, but I dont think I’ve ever had a migraine…until I read this post and it makes me think if there really is a connection? hmm…
By Angela, February 10, 2007 @ 3:00 am
I don’t really have any advice, but I sometimes get migraines too that I’m pretty sure are sinus-related. The roto rooter sounds promising though.
By Slackermommy, February 11, 2007 @ 12:27 am
I’ve got some advice on sinus problems: Move out of St. Louis! I know so many people with allergy and sinus problems who feel better when they leave the state.
That’s probably not the answer you are looking for. How about drugs and alcohol?
By sweatpantsmom, February 11, 2007 @ 2:49 am
Interesting - my sister-in-law suffers from migraines and she also has sinus problems. I’m going to forward this post to her.
Hold off on those firecrackers.
By Stephanie A., February 11, 2007 @ 4:04 am
I had heard that this surgery can be helpful for sinuses and migraines. Lisa, I hope you find a solution, because I know how much these damn things affect your life. Then, once you’re all roto-rootered you can go back to France and really enjoy it!
By Anonymous, March 21, 2007 @ 5:25 am
My stepmother had this problem and one thing that actually helped was taking an Attarax every night before bed. Don’t know how this may help anyone…