Sinus problems and migraines

Question:

Is there anyone out there who has found that they have a link between chronic sinus problems and their HAs? I ask this because I have a HA that started as an ordinary migraine and "transformed" into a chronic migraine (or chronic daily headache, i.e., it never stops) that has been with me since 10/22. I’ve gone through the whole battery of diagnostics for the really nasty things, but one thing that remains is my sinus problems, which I have had for decades. I have a deviated septum which obstructs my nose on the left side (the same side as my HA pain), and gives me all the classic problems of such a condition (post-nasal drip, mouth-breathing, etc.). My ENT thinks that it warrants surgical correction since other treatments have not helped, and I am inclined to agree. What I am wondering is if, perhaps, this sinus condition is one of the things that is sustaining this HA. I asked both ENT and neuro about this, and both said this may be the case but there is no way to know until I have it corrected. Any related experiences or opinions to share? — John Martinez "I have a plastic laminated ID card, therefore I am." Remove the nojunk to get my address or URL. Visit our humble home page at http://www.primenet.com/~nojunkmmart/index.html

Response:

Hi John, I have no idea if the two are related, but it does seem to make a certain amount of sense. What I wanted to tell you is to not worry too much about the surgery, if you decide to have it. My husband had that same surgery (for a different reason…he was actually trying to do ‘me’ a favor). He was in the hospital one night, and only missed a couple days of work (he would have missed less, but they were a little concerned about the heavy lifting he sometimes has to do). He didn’t have too much pain afterward, and it healed pretty quickly. Please let us know what you decide. I’d be interested to know if the surgery (should you decide to have it), will make a difference in your migraines. Cyndi For Mike – My Brother, My Friend http://members.tripod.com/~cyn59/index.html

Response:

looks like you might have relief in sight. good luck to you if you decide to have the surgery. keep us posted on what you decide to do. ronnie queen of hugs

Response:

I had this sort of surgery back in ‘94 and it was the best thing I ever agreed to.

snip I can now breathe like normal people and colds are not as incapacitating.

Mary, That is great news! I am glad to hear of a success! Sorry to hear the migraines aren’t better. I don’t expect it to help the migraines. Just with the breathing. Take care, Jackie k

Response:

: Is there anyone out there who has found that they have a link between : chronic sinus problems and their HAs? : : I ask this because I have a HA that started as an ordinary migraine and : "transformed" into a chronic migraine (or chronic daily headache, i.e., it : never stops) that has been with me since 10/22. I’ve gone through the whole : battery of diagnostics for the really nasty things, but one thing that : remains is my sinus problems, which I have had for decades. I have a : deviated septum which obstructs my nose on the left side (the same side as : my HA pain), and gives me all the classic problems of such a condition : (post-nasal drip, mouth-breathing, etc.). My ENT thinks that it warrants : surgical correction since other treatments have not helped, and I am : inclined to agree. What I am wondering is if, perhaps, this sinus condition : is one of the things that is sustaining this HA. I asked both ENT and neuro : about this, and both said this may be the case but there is no way to know : until I have it corrected. : : Any related experiences or opinions to share? : : — : Hi John, I’m kinda inclined to think that the docs are right. The sinus problems probably are keeping the HA going and maybe if you have the surgery to correct the problem the HA will go away. I know no one wants to have surgery but it may be worth it to get this HA under control. And if not the HA at least the sinus problems. Let us know what you decide and know that we will be here to support you. Lea John Martinez : : "I have a plastic laminated ID card, therefore I am." : : Remove the nojunk to get my address or URL. : : Visit our humble home page at http://www.primenet.com/~nojunkmmart/index.html — Lea Jackson Montgomery, Alabama http://www.mindspring.com/~ljackson/leahome.html

Response:

Is there anyone out there who has found that they have a link between chronic sinus problems and their HAs?

(snip – migraine transformed into CDH. ENT wants to operate on deviated septum) I definitely think there is a connection. In fact, I have had times when I coudn’t tell if it was a migraine or a sinus problem and I realize now that it actually could be both at the same time. About 2 years ago, I had surgury to fix a deviated septum and cauterize the turbinates. (My migraines are most always on my stuffy side.) The surgery definitely helped me breathe better on the affected side and I have had less sinus infections since then. My "normal" monthly migraines continue, but those possibly caused by sinus problems seem to have decreased.

I had a septoplasty about a year ago; this was in the hopes of having an effect on CDH that did -not- have any signs of being migrainous. Common-or-garden "tension", "muscle contraction", or whatever they’re calling them this week. The deviated septum was chronic, though I’d never noticed anything I’d call a "sinus headache". Went ahead with it anyway – well, I can breathe through my nose now, but that’s about the only difference Trawling my mail archives I found an old message from Marnette about how the septoplasty didn’t seem to fix her migraines, but they did lessen the intensity – if you have congestion problems during a migraine, and they worsen the migraine, you might have the same experience. Your mileage almost certainly -will- vary, but if there’s a chance, it’s probably worth taking. Mary also warned me about the nasal packing. Yow. That HURT. I ended up spending an extra night in hospital on account of excess bleeding when they pulled it all out… P.S. After the surgery (during recovery), I had a monster #10 migraine. You might check into having something on hand for that possibility. Check with your doctor to make sure it doesn’t conflict with any of the other pain medications you will receive during and after surgery.

Agreed – I found that a hospital ward’s not a pleasant place to be during CDH – they’re noisy, busy, confused places (especially from our perspective) at the best of times, and when you’re trying to recover from surgery on top of HA… yup, be prepared. good luck, and let us know, okay? butting — Bryce Utting http://www.cs.waikato.ac.nz/~butting the cross before me, the world behind me no turning back

Response:

I’ve found that 99% of my migraines are complicated by simul- taneous sinus pain, and usually have to take something like Suda- fed Sinus along with the Fioricet and/or Stadol. Usually that’s the *only* thing that’ll knock it out. ( Tension headaches are quite another matter altogether.) I have to keep a humidifier going in my apt. pretty steadily or I start to *really* feel miserable! Need- less to say, I go through quite a bit of sinus med. each month…

Response:

Is there anyone out there who has found that they have a link between chronic sinus problems and their HAs?

Yo John! Sinus infections are known to cause migraine like headaches, your physician can explain it to you better. When I was a kid the doctors I was seeing suspected that my daily headaches were related to acute sinusitis, I was treated but the headaches continued. peace Mario

Response:

Jane, Yes, that aspirin can really cause problems when undergoing surgery. Back in April when my husband had open heart surgery (aortic valve replacement), he found out on a Wednesday that he was going to have an angiogram on Friday, and from that found out that he would have the surgery on the following Tuesday. For at least 10 years he had been taking an aspirin a day for his heart. Well, it probably saved his life in that it kept his blood thin enough to flow through the pinhole he had for an aortic valve opening. On the other hand, even though he quit taking the aspirin as soon as he knew he was having surgery, it still caused lots of bleeding problems during surgery. Added about 45 minutes to the surgery to stop the bleeding, and he had to get two units of blood after surgery. Yep, that aspirin can work miracles, but can cause problems if one is undergoing surgery of any kind. Now Jim has to take Coumadin every day (for the rest of his life) to keep bloodclots away from the artificial valve–but that is a small price to pay to have him alive! Barbara — Barbara Lemmond

One problem I had in addition to the horrible migraine I had postoperatively (which I understand is just TBE (to be expected), is that I did a very STUPID thing. I misunderstood what the doctor told me re: aspirin consumption. I thought he said dont take any aspirin products for TWO days before surgery. He actually said TEN days. So thinking I was being "extra" good, I managed to stop taking aspirin about five days ahead. It was not good enough, and after I got home, I started hemmorhaging something awful from the mouth ,nose, and ears (I had tubes in both eardrums). It was an awful experience. Had that not happened, I would have to say it wasnt that bad, just uncomfortable and of couse due to the packing you have to totally breathe out of your mouth. It was done out-patient. Of course there is post-operative swelling which slowly recedes. Hope this helps. I told you this since many migraine preparations have aspirin in them and some people indicated that even ibuprofen can do something similar re: bleeding. I also took a lot of aspirin, etc. for almost daily headaches and I was afraid you’d take aspirin. Jane

Response:

John: I had the septoplasty and multiple turbinate reduction surgery in 1992, and my nasal passages are still wide open and clear. It did help my migraines, which were always on the side that was stopped up. I was only out of work for a few days, as I work at a desk mostly. One problem I had in addition to the horrible migraine I had postoperatively (which I understand is just TBE (to be expected), is that I did a very STUPID thing. I misunderstood what the doctor told me re: aspirin consumption. I thought he said dont take any aspirin products for TWO days before surgery. He actually said TEN days. So thinking I was being "extra" good, I managed to stop taking aspirin about five days ahead. It was not good enough, and after I got home, I started hemmorhaging something awful from the mouth ,nose, and ears (I had tubes in both eardrums). It was an awful experience. Had that not happened, I would have to say it wasnt that bad, just uncomfortable and of couse due to the packing you have to totally breathe out of your mouth. It was done out-patient. Of course there is post-operative swelling which slowly recedes. Hope this helps. I told you this since many migraine preparations have aspirin in them and some people indicated that even ibuprofen can do something similar re: bleeding. I also took a lot of aspirin, etc. for almost daily headaches and I was afraid you’d take aspirin. Jane "With friends, we can endure anything

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is there anyone out there who has found that they have a link between chronic sinus problems and their HAs? I ask this because I have a HA that started as an ordinary migraine and "transformed" into a chronic migraine (or chronic daily headache, i.e., it never stops) that has been with me since 10/22. I’ve gone through the whole battery of diagnostics for the really nasty things, but one thing that remains is my sinus problems, which I have had for decades. I have a deviated septum which obstructs my nose on the left side (the same side as my HA pain), and gives me all the classic problems of such a condition (post-nasal drip, mouth-breathing, etc.). My ENT thinks that it warrants surgical correction since other treatments have not helped, and I am inclined to agree. What I am wondering is if, perhaps, this sinus condition is one of the things that is sustaining this HA. I asked both ENT and neuro about this, and both said this may be the case but there is no way to know until I have it corrected. Any related experiences or opinions to share?

I definitely think there is a connection. In fact, I have had times when I coudn’t tell if it was a migraine or a sinus problem and I realize now that it actually could be both at the same time. About 2 years ago, I had surgury to fix a deviated septum and cauterize the turbinates. (My migraines are most always on my stuffy side.) The surgery definitely helped me breathe better on the affected side and I have had less sinus infections since then. My "normal" monthly migraines continue, but those possibly caused by sinus problems seem to have decreased. One other thing that helped my nasal stuffiness was quitting caffiene. I came to the point of trying this when a year after my surgery I realized I was as stuffy as I had ever been before the surgery and my doctor mentioned the possibility of caffiene irritating the nasal passages. My migraines also seemed to be getting worse and worse. After quitting caffiene, most of my stuffiness has cleared, but I still have migraines (but no really bad ones lately). Melinda P.S. After the surgery (during recovery), I had a monster #10 migraine. You might check into having something on hand for that possibility. Check with your doctor to make sure it doesn’t conflict with any of the other pain medications you will receive during and after surgery. .

Response:

John, I too have chronic sinus problems. A bad sinus headache and infection almost always leads to a bad migraine for me. And it usually lingers for weeks. So far, the doctors haven’t found any problems with my sinus cavity that requires correcting. I guess I am just pre-disposed for this problem. I wish you the best of luck with your surgery. I hope you come home never to hear of sinus problems again!!! : ) Sarah – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cyndi (and others), I guess I should have made it clear in the original message, but I have definitely decided to have the surgery. My ENT told me that there is more discomfort from the sinus packing (at first) and sinus swelling than there is actual pain. Interestingly, he said I will be off work 1-2 wks (much shorter than your husband) even though I spend most of my time at work at my desk! Perhaps the difference for recovery is that I will be having a laser reduction of my turbinates as well and the septoplasty (though mine will still be an outpatient surgery). I have it scheduled for 2/11, coincidentally at the same hospital where my shoulder surgery was done last year. I feel confident that this is someting I need to do, HA or no HA, but the possibility of it affecting my HA for better or worse is what interests me at the moment.

Response:

Cyndi (and others), I guess I should have made it clear in the original message, but I have definitely decided to have the surgery. My ENT told me that there is more discomfort from the sinus packing (at first) and sinus swelling than there is actual pain. Interestingly, he said I will be off work 1-2 wks (much shorter than your husband) even though I spend most of my time at work at my desk! Perhaps the difference for recovery is that I will be having a laser reduction of my turbinates as well and the septoplasty (though mine will still be an outpatient surgery). I have it scheduled for 2/11, coincidentally at the same hospital where my shoulder surgery was done last year. I feel confident that this is someting I need to do, HA or no HA, but the possibility of it affecting my HA for better or worse is what interests me at the moment. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi John, I have no idea if the two are related, but it does seem to make a certain amount of sense. What I wanted to tell you is to not worry too much about the surgery, if you decide to have it. My husband had that same surgery (for a different reason…he was actually trying to do ‘me’ a favor). He was in the hospital one night, and only missed a couple days of work (he would have missed less, but they were a little concerned about the heavy lifting he sometimes has to do). He didn’t have too much pain afterward, and it healed pretty quickly. Please let us know what you decide. I’d be interested to know if the surgery (should you decide to have it), will make a difference in your migraines. Cyndi For Mike – My Brother, My Friend http://members.tripod.com/~cyn59/index.html

– John Martinez "I have a plastic laminated ID card, therefore I am." Remove the nojunk to get my address or URL. Visit our humble home page at http://www.primenet.com/~nojunkmmart/index.html

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, It is interesting that this subject has come up. I am supposed to have surgery to remove polyps on the right side, a little work done on my septum and my left sinus flushed out. I have been shying away from it. I think I breath okay, but I think they dicided otherwise when I had a sleepapnea test done. I know it won;’t help my HA’s, but I dn’t know if I will benifit much either. Since I don’t notice a problem breathing. THe ENT found the polyps with a tube he tried to put down my nose and it got stuck and made me sneeze hard! ONly advice would be appreciated. I have been debataing about this for awhile and even posted once. Take care, Jackie k

I had this sort of surgery back in ‘94 and it was the best thing I ever agreed to. (not that I had a choice at that particular point in time!) After suffering years with chronic sinus infections that would last for months, I had septoplasty for the deviated septum, polyps removed and also a benign cycts removed from my nasal cavity. I can now breathe like normal people and colds are not as incapacitating. During these bouts of frequent sinus infections, the nasal passages would become so swollen they would trigger constant migraines. I still suffer from CDH’s and migraine, but I no longer suffer with breathing problems or infections. Whatever you decide to do—-good luck! Mary

Response:

this is great to have read that you saw dr. sheftell also!!! ronnie queen of hugs

Response:

Hi all, I had sinus surgery last year, complete with the polyp removal, deviated septum fixing and also turbinectomy (removing excess nostril tissue). The doc did a great job and now I can breath real good day and night. I think it does reduce the number of sinus headaches that were due to infection – since all flows out well now. The surgery was not pleasant – especially all that packing they put in – but as soon as it is out you feel fantastic. Be sure to stop all aspirin type meds well before surgery so you don’t have any undue bleeding. Good Luck May God Bless You and Yours, Michelle

Response:

Mike, Thanks for your encouraging words. I don’t have an appt. yet, but I well certainly let the ng know when it will happen. Take care, Jackie k

Response:

Hi Jackie, I have no idea about whether the operations would help the HAs but I do have a co-worker who recently had an operation on his nose for sleep apnea. What what he said, it has helped. I cannot imagine the scarely feeling of going to sleep and forgetting to breathe. I hope all goes well with you and please let us know how the operation turns out. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to learn that a nose operation could cure the migraines. :-) I will put you in my prayers and ask for a completely successful Mike G.

Response:

Hi all, It is interesting that this subject has come up. I am supposed to have surgery to remove polyps on the right side, a little work done on my septum and my left sinus flushed out. I have been shying away from it. I think I breath okay, but I think they dicided otherwise when I had a sleepapnea test done. I know it won;’t help my HA’s, but I dn’t know if I will benifit much either. Since I don’t notice a problem breathing. THe ENT found the polyps with a tube he tried to put down my nose and it got stuck and made me sneeze hard! ONly advice would be appreciated. I have been debataing about this for awhile and even posted once. Take care, Jackie k

Response:

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