Migraine

Does anyone know or have heard about a surgery that might help some of us with our migraines? I was in the dentist office reading a prevention magazine and read an article that they are performing nasal surgery on people that has drastically cut down on the amount of migraines. I goggled it "nasal surgery that helped migraines" and there is a bunch of infomation. Maybe there is something to this. Worth discussing with your doctor....Wouldn't that be a miracle for some of us. Just wanted to share.....

Some people with sinus issues that have had surgery to correct them notice a change in their migraine patterns for the better. Other than that, I haven't heard much.

I saw this Washington Post article about a surgery performed to relieve "A Pain in the Head", but migraines were ruled out.

And it was determined that a sinus infection was the ultimate cause.

If your interested, you can read the article HERE.

I haven't really heard of surgery other than that. Sorry I can't be of more help.

Kelly

I have chronic sinus infections as well as the migraines, and doctors have several times suggested that surgery might be an option (though what I've heard about sinus surgery is that it's only effective 50% of the time). Aside from just being reluctant to have them cutting inside my head, I have seen a few migraineurs in some of the forums (can't remember if it was in this one) who had an increase in migraines after sinus surgery! And, as Droolie said, some who saw improvement. For me it all sounds way too iffy.

- Megs

I have had the surgery. It wasn't for migraine treatment though it was b/c I had SEVERE sinusitis. It did mostly wipe out my migraines, that is until I stopped getting my allergy shots and taking allergy meds everyday. I am pretty sure that part of my migraine issue is somehow allergy related. And I am pretty sure that I should have the surgery again. But until we get better ins there is no chance. So I would say if part or all of your migraine etiology is allergy/sinus induced the surgery would be a benefit.

As far as the surgery goes it is pretty simple. They go in and remove and nodes and chronically infected tissue from your sinuses. You are on pretty heavy painkillers for a week or so and you have to walk around with a piece of gauze under your nose for the first couple of days. Oh and you can't blow your nose for almost two weeks. Find a good ENT in your area and arrange a consult. They should do an MRI to make sure you have sinus problems.

I also have had the surgery due to chronic sinus infections and a deviated septum. I thought this might help my migraines as when I get a sinus infection I get migraines one after another till the infection is cleared up. The EN and T doctor said that he didn’t know about helping migraines but it would cure my sinus infections. The result was 3 weeks after the surgery I got a sinus infection. Also it never helped one bit with my migraines.

By the way I remember back in the 80s my migraines were called sinus head aches. My mom still believes that and won’t get anything from the doctor for migraines even though she has the same thing I do.

Darryl-can you talk to your mom or show her this forum? I hate to think of her suffering when she can get some much needed medical attention.

quote:

By the way I remember back in the 80s my migraines were called sinus head aches. My mom still believes that and won’t get anything from the doctor for migraines even though she has the same thing I do

Darryl, I don't know if this will help your mother or not, but here is an article about Sinuses Giving You a Headache? It's Probably Migraine.

Take care.

I’ll pass it along to her. Luckily she doesn’t get them as often as I do. Thanks………Darryl