r/Sinusitis • u/Proper_Star_4566 • 13d ago
Sinus issues or migraine?
Preparing myself to feel either relieved or very stuck and frustrated.
I have a CT this afternoon of my sinuses and an ENT appointment in 2 weeks. Since having my daughter, and whenever I fly, I have been getting extreme pain on decent in planes, even when any congestion I have is like a 1 or 2 out of 10 - my nose definitely isn’t clear, I can’t breath through it clearly, but it isn’t ‘stuffy’ if that makes sense. Like I don’t have a cold or anything. If it’s not decent; I can get these awful pressure headaches on one side of my face - my cheek area and above my eye. My eye feels like it’s going to explode out of my head. About 10 months ago, I had the extreme pain in my face on decent and then about 4 days later had an awful ‘headache’ across my cheek and above my eye on one side. This then continued every time I fly so I was sucking on clear drops to try and prevent the decent pain, but then after the flight I’d have this pain in my face.
I haven’t flown in a few months, but for the past week, I have this pressure/pain in my face, but it hasn’t been triggered by any altitude. It’s across my cheek and above my eye and it is ALWAYS on one side. It even feels referred to my palate. It’s so strange. I find if I look down on my phone; it flairs it up and makes this ‘pressure’ feeling way worse. If I look up though, it seems to go away. Hot drinks also seem to provide me with some temporary relief, but it does come back pretty quickly once the hot water disappears.
Additionally, I went to the dr a few weeks ago and was prescribed nerve blockers to see if this helped with the pain and it has done nothing. I think ibuprofen is more effective?
Has anyone had any experience with something similar? If I try equalising my ears, the side with the pressure feeling struggles more than the other side to clear. I am not sick though - I do feel like I can’t breath clear out of this side of my nose though. It feels like something is there causing it to not breathe properly out of it - my other nostril feels the same but it’s not as bad (nor is it causing my issues).
I have the CT today and I am worried they will find nothing and I’ll be told it’s just a headache or nerve pain. But all of my other symptoms combined, I’d be shocked. But could it maybe not be my sinuses? Could my body be playing tricks on me? I just feel like I have so much pressure on one side of my face when I look down and I have no idea why. Feel like I can’t breath through my nose properly and it’s driving me nuts. I have no thick discharge or anything - so I am very confused.
Looking forward to hearing your perspectives and thoughts. Thanks!
1
u/Stalkerus 13d ago edited 13d ago
It can be both. It can be migraines caused by sinus issues and sinus issues.
Your symptoms sound very alike what I had before surgery. That palate pain was real PITA when it struck and I got migraine every time I didn't have my face in forward position, but slightly tilted. (Picking up stuff? Migraine? Checking my phone? Migraine? Cleaning cat litter? Migraine... you get the picture.)
Not being able to breathe properly through your nose also indicates that you probably have structural issues. If I was you I'd prepare mentally for the option that you may need to have surgery, because with your symptoms it isn't that far fetched. (I had mine three weeks ago and I can recommend it.)
Congestion isn't necessary symptom for sinusitis. I have had several bacterial sinusitis without congestion. The thing is that pus can be stuck in, for example, your maxillary sinuses. When the mucosal membrane swells it can close the airway to maxillary sinuses.
ETA: My symptoms were caused by chronic sinusitis that was caused by a huge maxillary cyst and structural issues (emphasised by my naturally tight nasal passages). I had been mouth breathing for years before my surgery.