Sinus headaches might be migraines. I was startled to find out that what I'd been characterising as a "normal" headache was passing the migraine sniff test. I thought all headaches came with a sensitivity to light and sound and smell. All of mine certainly do. Migraine characteristics also include being on one side of the head, and throbbing and nausea. They are also characterised by triggers: foods, smells, stress, loud noises, allergies, hormones, flashing lights, etc.

It is possible that buffistas are more likely to be well-diagnosed. I mean, I've been suffering from migraines since I was 8, but it wasn't until my late 30s that I found out that 90% of my headaches were migraines, not the 50% I'd been assuming.

I get migraines maybe 4 times per year as a hormonal gift with purchase. That's it. I don't have to deal with the chronic migraines others like ita and Betsy get. I can't even imagine what those are like.

Thanks, Kate. My coworkers were great support to me, too, afterwards. They really let me have a chance to recharge, and veg out a bit. I have to say, I was glad that I could be there for that person, to provide exactly the kind of support needed. I know the individual appreciated it, and the whole family did as well.

omnis, I have had just enough migraines to know what they feel like, but I don't suffer from them often. And I'm blessed in that Excedrin actually does afford significant relief for me. It takes the pain down to a later-the-next-day-hangover level. Or if I can catch it when the visual effects start but before the actual pain starts, then it might not hurt at all.

I used to get them chronically, and they got progressively worse as I got older. Once the pounding and the nausea was so bad I passed out. I haven't had another migraine in about 10 years. I dunno what happened.

I don't have any drugs at home that can stop a migraine. I have one that gives me an hour break, and I ration myself to three times a day during the work week, and try my best not to take much on the weekends, because I'm certainly in rebound headache territory by now.

The only thing that can give me hours off is a good ER visit. They're not all good, because doctors and nurses sometimes waffle about what to give me, how much to give me, and how to administer it, all of which are key to my relief. It's stunning how willing they are to give me drugs I say won't work well, but I'm so desperate I'll take anything just in case.

I used to think I had insomnia till I read some of these Buffista stories. I don't, compared to that, although it's hard for me to wind down at night and I don't always sleep that well. But I've never gone for a week or anything. So I guess that is more like "restless nights". Dang, ita, I hope somebody gets a good idea for you soon.

Sinus headaches might be migraines.

I've read that most of what people think are sinus headaches are migraines. I always thought mine were sinus, until I went to an ENT for them. Not sinus, mostly migraine.

I think my biggest trigger is not getting enough sleep, but the weather is pretty bad, too.

Yeah, I used to think if they were in my scalp, migraines. If they were in or near my nose, sinus. Even if they shared the same triggers and came with the light and sound and smell sensitivity. And nausea. Because those were just normal.

Oh hey, one thing I do still get and have no explanation for are short bursts of stabby pain usually near one of my temples, but could be anywhere. Only lasts for a couple of seconds and isn't consistent, but it is horrible. Anybody know what that is?

Yeah, I used to think if they were in my scalp, migraines. If they were in or near my nose, sinus. Even if they shared the same triggers and came with the light and sound and smell sensitivity. And nausea. Because those were just normal.

Those symptoms aren't just the usual thing with headaches? Oh. Huh.