I have had a headache for literally every single second of my life starting in first grade. This headache has lasted over fifteen years. The intensity varies, but it has never once gone away completely. And when I say that to doctors, they never believe me because of how unrealistic that sounds. They think I'm being dramatic. And when I bought up the possibility of new daily persistent headache, I got accused of using Dr Google and told that NDPH is extremely rare so I definitely don't have it.
There's a set amount for how many headaches you can have in a week before it starts being medically concerning. Apparently there's also a maximum.
This is physisensory ableism and medical neglect. You deserve to get the diagnosis and help you deserve.
I see a lot of misinformation around headaches and migraines so i wanted to clear some stuff up
Migraine: a debilitating headache disorder, though it’s a headache disorder theres a lot more than headache to it. Migraine causes migraine attacks (often called migraines) which often have 4 phases and cause a wide range of symptoms including (but not limited to) sensory sensitivity, weakness, vertigo, nausea and so much more. What symptoms you have can depend on what subtype of migraine you have and just how you experience it. And even though its a headache disorder not everyone with it will always have a headache with attacks. Pain is sometimes sharp and one sided but not always. They usually fall between 4-72 hours but again not always
Headache: pain in the head or face often a symptom of something like headache disorders, other neurological disorders, dehydration, and more. Headaches can also be extremely debilitating and can happen in a variety of ways like location, severity, duration, and type of pain. That may depend on the cause.
Do not use a diagnosis tool and if anything about your headache or migraine changes see a doctor
(This post is not to diagnose anyone or say anyone is misdiagnosed. It does not replace medical advice or care by medical professionals, if you have concern of misdiagnosis please talk about it with a medical professional)
Migraine and sinus diseases share a number of symptoms leading to both patients and providers mixing up the 2. Migraine is a primary headache disorder classified in the International classification of headache disorders 3rd edition (ICHD3) and most known for its headache that often presents unilaterally (one sided) and moderate to severe pain wise. Other common and well known symptoms of this disorder are nausea, vomiting, sensitive to sensory stimuli. Headache attributed to disorder of the nose or paranasal sinus (“sinus headache”) is classified in the ICHD3 as a secondary headache disorder. The criteria for this disorder specify that inflammation or infection of the sinuses must be confirmed by imaging or nasal endoscopic procedure. (Link 4)
Many with migraine have been misdiagnosed by self diagnosis or professional diagnosis with “sinus headache” despite the need for confirmation of current or past sinus inflammation or infection, delaying their diagnosis of migraine. Those misdiagnosed by professionals can also end up being treated, including surgical treatments, for something they do not have. One study found 81.5% of participants had been misdiagnosed as having sinusitis when they had really had migraine. (link 2) Harvard has stated that over 85% of those suspecting a sinus related cause to their headaches actually have migraine. (Link 1)
Both of these disorders have multiple features in common including pressure in the face, seasonal and barometrical triggers, and cranial autonomic symptoms. (link 1). Cranial autonomic symptoms, symptoms related to the autonomic nervous system in and around the head and face, are a common but lesser known type of symptoms of migraine. (link 3) These include nasal congestion, runny nose, tears, ear fullness, and more (link 3). These things can also be seen in sinus infections and inflammation.
While their symptoms present similarly in certain aspects, they also have their differences. Thick, infectious looking mucus and fever are a sign that it’s a headache cause by a sinus disease. (link 1) Sensitivity to sensory stimulus, nausea and vomiting, one sided, moderate to severe headache are common features of migraine attacks not associated with sinus infections or inflammation or the headaches they may cause. (Link 1)
Sources and more information
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Sinusitis is the most frequent misdiagnosis given to patients with migraine. Therefore we decided to estimate the frequency of misdiagnosis
Migraine and autonomic dysfunction/ autonomic symptoms
Plain text: migraine and autonomic dysfunction/ autonomic symptoms
Migraine is a debilitating neurological disorder most known for causing headaches. It is classified as a primary headaches disorder in the international classification of headache disorders 3rd edition (ICHD3). Misinformation and stigma around migraine has lead people to believe headache is the only part of it but that is far from the truth, there are many migraine symptoms that are not commonly discussed. So i am here to talk about some, specifically autonomic symptoms.
Autonomic symptoms are symptoms related to the autonomic nervous system which is part of the nervous system which controls involuntary functions, things we don’t control. This includes but is not limited to heart rate, sweating, and pupil size.
Autonomic symptoms are something many with migraine experience, a study (possibly more if i keep digging) has even found evidence that supports migraine being a sympathetic nervous system disorder and found similarities between migraine and disorders of the automatic nervous system like pure autonomic failure and multiple systems atrophy.
Though data differs throughout different studies it seems that many of them have found autonomic symptoms are common among those with migraine.
Cranial autonomic symptoms, which are autonomic symptoms related to the head and face are a specific type of autonomic symptoms that some with migraine may experience.
Some autonomic symptoms those with migraine may experience (not a full list)
Nausea
Vomiting
Urinary issues
Syncope
Temperature disregulation
Cranial autonomic symptom some with migraine may experience (not a full list)
Blood shot eyes
Facial flushing
Facial sweating
Nasal congestion
Ear fullness
Key points / TLDR
Migraine is a neurological disorder that is debilitating and most known for causing headache despite the many other parts of it
Automatic symptoms are symptoms related to the automatic nervous system (ANS) which is part of the nervous system responsible for things we don’t control (heart rate, sweat, tears, ect)
Autonomic symptoms can be found in those with migraine data varies but a common factor is it shows high percentages of ANS symptoms in those with migraine, a study also found evidence of migraine being a sympathetic nervous system disorder
Cranial autonomic symptoms which are autonomic symptoms related to the head and face are also found in migraine
ANS symptoms of migraine include but are not limited to: nausea, vomiting, urinary issues, syncope and temperature regulation issues
Cranial autonomic symptoms of migraine include but are not limited to: blood shot eyes, facial flushing, facial, sweating, nasal congestion, ear fullness
Sources and more information
The major finding of the present study is that migraine is a disorder of chronic sympathetic dysfunction, sharing many diagnostic and clinic
Background Autonomic nervous system (ANS) testing has aided in our ability to evaluate autonomic dysfunction in migraine patients. We review
my headaches are getting worse now that it’s summer and hot out. I went to an amusement park yesterday and went on a bunch of rides so my head is also recovering from that. Not the best feeling but ya know what they say, ice packs are a “girls” best friend.
it’s not too bad yet but if it gets hotter during he night and the ac still inst working I’m going to have to move down to the basement again
Shoutout to my headache disorder comrades. Shoutout to my migraine comrades. Shoutout to my nerve related headache disorder comrades. Shoutout to my comrades with any other type of headache disorder that I'm forgetting. Shout out to my neck tongue syndrome comrades specifically. I'm wishing you low pain days and peace. I love you all.
