Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Help needed with headache and eye pain!!

39 replies

Sneezy · 02/11/2014 21:18

For the last 5 weeks I've been having right sides head aches. Started waking up with pain around eye and in ear but it wore off after I got up. After a week or so it was boggling on and off throughout the day so I went to the drs who said it's probably migraines. The pain is around my eye and nose and also my teeth ache. I went to hospital twice as I was in a lot of discomfort. They said both times
Migraines and I was given migraine tablets but they haven't made a difference. Went back to drs who are aged an MRI on my request due to me being freaked out and scared about what it was. My face was act and I had some Tingling and numbness around cheek/jaw. MRI had and although the radiographer hadn't reported the neurologist looked at it and he said it looked fine. He's awaiting someone to report it but he couldn't see anything suspicious. Since then my right eye has ached more and my vision is blurry. Went to specsavers and now have glasses for reading. This last week has been awful though with such pressure behind my eye and when I wake in the night I can't see properly and if I lie on my right side my ear feels uncomfy and eye aches but if I lie on the left my right nostril blocks. I asked Dr about sinuses but she said she thinks it's still migraine related. My eye seems to be throbbing more and more and my teeth have been aching and pain along cheekbone (running under eye by nose)
I am so fed up. Been emotional tonight as scared I'm going to go blind or something awful will happen. I've worked myself up so much these last few weeks and am totally fed up of feeling rotten. I just need some friendly advice and reassurance! I keep making myself feel sick by worrying and reading all sorts!
Sorry for long post!!

OP posts:

lemisscared · 02/11/2014 21:22

It really sounds like sinus to me, maybe try some steam inhalations, olbas oil type of things, google sinus massage. I had an awful sinus infection the other week, in desperation even posted on here i fet so bad, just what you described, pain behind the eyes, worse when i bent over, over the top of my eyes, ears, face, the works, was truly horrendous. My mum has chronic sinusitus, its pants.

Original poster

Sneezy · 02/11/2014 21:26

Thank you. I am hoping it's sinus although I don't really want to suffer but so scared about the eye pain!!
I don't have any albas oil but I have baby vapour rub maybe I can smother some on me
Just feel so rubbish. Why would my eye ache so much? I have a Nasel spray the Dr gave me although she didn't think it was sinus related! I've been takin sudafed with neurofen I relieve it too but the eye pain is throbbing!
Will have a look at massage.
I feel for your mum if she has to go through this all the time!

OP posts:

lemisscared · 02/11/2014 21:37

I found the sudafed just made it worse, its good if everythings runny as it dries it all up but otherwise it just made me feel awful. It hurts behind your eye because there are sinuses just over the top and underneath the eye sockets. I found relief in the eye but pushing my cheek, level with my pupil, just under my top jaw - push up and maintain the pressure.

I have to say i found a new level of patience with my mother after my sinus infection. I wanted to put my head in the oven, and would have done if i thought it have helped

RockinHippy · 02/11/2014 21:39

Sounds very mch like a bad sinus infection or bad sinus inflammation due to allergy to me too & I'm a chronic sufferer & all of the symptoms fit - a sure fire way to test this, is to hang your head down as if to touch your toes - if the pain gets worse on bending, it's an infection - you may get some nasal drip when upright again.

Not sure if an MRI will show any infection, I've had CAT scans organised by ENT to show that

Depending on your age, there is one very unlikely cause that you might need to have ruled out - I saw my GP last week with the exactly same symptoms & she organised blood tests to rule out a certain type of arthritis - it came back clear though

Original poster

Sneezy · 02/11/2014 21:59

I've pushed down on lots of pressure points and it does seem to give some relief. I did just take some sudafed too though! The one I got is an over the counter one so its a bit stronger. It helps but not for as long as t should!
I just tipped my head forward and felt immense pressure behind my nose and if my head was filling up. Had a big head rush when I got up though! I did mention to the Dr about my throat having a spot at the back and a funny taste (maybe Nasel drip) but she didn't seem convinced. I something think I feel something there but not sure!
How on earth do people put up with this forever?!?! It's awful!!
I would stick my head in the oven if it helped too!!!

OP posts:

Original poster

Sneezy · 02/11/2014 21:59

Meant to say I'm 38 so not sure if that's good or bad about the arthritis test?!?!

OP posts:

Original poster

Sneezy · 03/11/2014 10:37

Got another drs appt this afternoon with different Dr. Hopefully he may help me!

OP posts:

skolastica · 03/11/2014 10:43

Did the MRI look at your pituitary - you might want to rule out a benign pituitary tumour.

Allisgood1 · 03/11/2014 10:49

It may very well be a deep rooted sinus infection that requires aggressive treatment, maybe surgery. Insist on a referral to an ENT who will specialize in it. It's not migraines (I say this as both a migraine and sinus infection sufferer).

RockinHippy · 03/11/2014 11:40

I also agree with allsgood you do need an ENT referral, I also suffer with both migraine & chronic sinus issues & this is definitely not migraine, but very likely a deep seated infection - I am on antibiotics for the self same thing right now & I could have written your post if I didn't already know what it was.

I think the arthritis is very rare & more unlikely still at your age - I'm older & I was told it was very unlikely, but worth ruling out

I'm wondering though - have you had any dental work done recently ?? - I find that can kick off an infection for me - I also have a tiny pocket of infection that a CAT scan via ENT discovered in my jaw bone, left over from an old botched wisdom tooth extraction, unfortunately nothing they can do about it as its too risky an op, this us the cause of these deep seated infections for me - tends to flare up after a dentist visit or if I am run down. I need specific antibiotics for this as its not a standard bacteria.

I rarely get a gunky nose, can breath fine, we'll sort of, you realise when your infection has cleared that you aren't breathing so well, but the nose isn't blocked

Go back to your GP & insist on antibiotics & an ENT referral

Good luck

lemisscared · 03/11/2014 11:53

Skolastixa this really is VERY unlikely to be a pituitary tumour. There would be other symptoms and for it to be big enough to push on sinuses it most definitely would have been picked up on an mri.

Hope the appointment goes well

bobs123 · 03/11/2014 12:00

I had headaches on and off for years. I had an X-ray at the dentist and he asked if I realised I had sinus problems. I would suggest a course of antibiotics which the dr should give if you aren't a regular user to rule out sinus infection, as it then would clear it up in a matter of days

Of course it could always be a dental problem too - abcess or some such???

Original poster

Sneezy · 03/11/2014 12:34

I had a picture taken of the back of my eye on specsavers so I'm guessing that would have showed up anything suspicious?? Neurologist said my eyes looked ok on the MRI too.
I have had some antibiotics but they don't seem to have done anything. When it first happened my dentist gave me some as she thought it may have been my wisdom teeth as I had a flare up 2 yrs ago but it doesn't feel like it's them. I then got given a different antibiotic by nurse practitioner as I asked her about sinuses and she gave me doxy (something). I'm allergic to penicillin. The antibiotics she gave me made me sick! Although I finished the course without further vomiting but that was over 2 weeks ago and no change. Eye wasn't like this whilst I was taking them so am now worse since then . My dentist though my sinuses looked ok from my X-ray of my teeth but those are the ones above my teeth not around eye/nose where majority of pain is.
I'm going to ask for different antibiotics today. My MIL has just finished her ABs for a sinus infection after having different ones for a while.

I'm so fed up with it all now

OP posts:

Original poster

Sneezy · 03/11/2014 12:34

OP posts:

Original poster

Sneezy · 03/11/2014 12:35

Sorry that posted twice!

Yes have ENT appt next week too.

OP posts:

HindsightisaMarvellousThing · 03/11/2014 12:51

I will be interested to see what they say - please come back and post an update

I've had headaches/migraines for 18 months or so, all centred behind my right eye, usually eye pain but sometimes toothache along top right jaw too. Lasts between 1 and 4 days, just about manageable with paracetamol and ibuprofen if I'm lucky. I've just put up with them - other than a trip to the opticians to rule out eyesight problems - I never thought it could be sinus pain. Might take a trip to the doctors this week then!

Original poster

Sneezy · 03/11/2014 12:51

Actually can you all escort me to the drs?! I hate the look the Dr gives me when I'm back again with the same problem! Although I'm seeing a different one this time who's retired and come back. He's quite scary but I'm guessing age and knowledge may be of benefit here!

OP posts:

RockinHippy · 03/11/2014 14:08

Glad you have an ENT referral, but it does sound like the antibiotic you had, was the wrong one for the job, I've had that happen several times & all it does is work slightly, then the infection flares up far worse afterwards. Can you do a "sputum test" to take with you, your GP can send this off to the lab & find out which bug was causing the infection - they can then tailor the antibiotics to suit

Any antibiotics given at the dentist are rarely strong enough for a chronic infection - they are limited in what & how strong they can prescribe, in the past my dentist has sent me to our GP with a letter asking for a stronger dose

Good luck with the old style doctor, hope you finally get some proper help

bobs123 · 03/11/2014 14:13

My dr used to do a simple test in tapping all round the sinus area (worst between my eyebrow for me) looking for any tenderness

RockinHippy · 03/11/2014 14:16

Oh & a chronic infection needs a 2 week course at a higher dose - though even with my medical history, sinus surgery & the bone infection etc, they still get this wrong - I'm also currently on my second course of antibiotics as I was only given a week of a lower dose first time round

Original poster

Sneezy · 03/11/2014 14:48

Yes your right about the antibiotics I remember the nurse practitioner saying that the dentist ones are for teeth and not as strong for infections elsewhere. Even when I had the tooth infection in my wisdom teeth the antibiotics from the dentist where no good. Had to have erythromycin in the end. And MIL has been on a stronger longer course of AB's.
Not sure about the sputum! That makes me gag looking at it! Haha

I've just tried tapping my sinuses but I'm not sure what I'm doing and sat in the car outside school looking a bit odd! Think it's definitely more sensitive around eye.

OP posts:

Original poster

Sneezy · 03/11/2014 14:49

How did you end up with a bone infection rockinhippy? Sounds like your having a very tough time!!

OP posts:

RockinHippy · 03/11/2014 16:00

Definitely sounds like a sinus infection then & needs better antibiotics, I'm on Clarythrimicin, so same family if drugs as your MIL

Bone infection was down to a sinus infection not getting treated, long story, but basically I had surgery on my sinuses as they weren't built correctly & couldn't drain infection away & because & they only did half of the surgery by mistake & I didn't realise & neither did my GP, I had an infection for a very long time without treatment & it spread to the bone. It's rare though, so don't worry

Allisgood1 · 03/11/2014 16:12

Definitely had the wrong antibiotics/not long enough. I went through three lots on April before they finally got it right. The one that did the trick was called azythromycin (but is probably a penicillin). Would be interested to see what the ENT says.

ChestyCoffin · 03/11/2014 17:30

Sounds like sinus to me.

I had chronic sinusitis one side only under eye, pain and pressure and occasional ear ache. Also gave me upper teeth ache all the time.
Made me want to drill a hole on my cheek bone!

8 weeks of antibiotics, nasal spray and finally surgery.

4 months on and it's gone

Sinutab was the only thing that took edge off. Nasal rinses are soothing too.

Flip

1 2