Sebaceous, sinus, TMJ or what?!

[SuperGimp]

I have dealt with headaches for years.  Most otc drugs do nothing for me.  I have the constitution of an ox.  Alieve might take the edge off if I combine it with Rockstar.  These headaches are triggered by just about anything.  I can no longer wear hair clips that rest on my scalp.  Hats are difficult.  Physical exertion and stress don't help.  We just replaced our bed and that seems to help my overall tension level.  I get sinus infections easily (not as much since my sinus surgery, but I'm still prone to them) which cause headaches.  Too much bright light or sound can also trigger them as well as exacerbate them.  The symptoms seem to follow tension headaches, sometimes sinus, and often migraine... all at the same time!  It used to be an infrequent problem.  Then, it progressed to several days at a time.  Now, I have a headache more often than I don't.  I am managing it, but I'm pretty sick of being in pain most of the time.  

So, my question is about the cause.  I have bumps on my head and one on my cheek that my doctor just told me are sebaceous cysts.  They have been pretty inocuous until about five years ago when they started getting bigger and, more recently, more sensitive.  If one of my barrettes sits too near one of these bumps, I will have a headache inside of 10-15 minutes that I'll be stuck with for the rest of the day.  Could these sebaceous cysts cause headaches of this magnitude and frequency?  If so, will removing them end this?

Also, I wonder if I have TMJ.  My jaw tends to slide around from side to side and forward when I'm not paying attention.  This is new in the last few years.  Also, my jaw clicks loudly on both sides, first the right and then the left, whenever I open my mouth two fingers width or wider as if it is snapping open.  The clicking has been going on since high school. I've gotten good at talking with my mouth only slightly open.  Maybe I should take up ventrioloquism.  ;-)  

I'd like to figure this out because I'm trying to get off of anything that causes heatburn so that I don't have to take Prilosec for my asthma.  This includes my wonder drug, Rockstar.  So, any insights as to the cause would be helpful.  Once I have a cause, then I can work on the solution.  And, no, I don't like drugs.  So, please don't go suggesting Imitrex or some such nonsense.  I want to get to the root of the problem, not just treat it.  Like I said, I'm managing, but why be in pain if I don't have to.  Thanks so much for your consideration and input.  

[SuperGimp]

Thank you, Vanessa, for your reply.  The bumps rose up during high school about 15 years ago or so.  I think the headaches started in my twenties.  But, the bumps never bothered me until a few years ago when anything touching them would start a headache.  No, they are not red.  At least, the one that is visible (not under my hair) is not red.  They have swelled more than they were, especially the one on my cheek.  People are starting to ask me about it whereas before no one ever seemed to notice.

If removing them will take care of the problem, that's an easy fix.  I had one removed from my thigh in high school also.  It was an easy procedure.  And, I'm sure techology for reducing scarring has improved greatly since then.  I have another asthma appointment next month.  I'll ask the doc more about it then.  

Question:  Why would I see and Ear Nose & Throat doctor about TMJ?  Isn't TMJ about bones or ligaments or something like that?

Thanks so much!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

You have been experiencing the headaches for the past few years prior to the presence of the "bumps"?

Also, you became more sensitive to pain ( cranial pain ) after these bumps have appeared?

With regards to the bumps causing this increase in pain sensitivity,it is possible that they may be contributing to your symptoms.If they have enlarged and have also involved other areas this may stimulate pain receptors in the underlying structures ( skin, scalp, muscles) causing heightened pain sensation.Your headaches which may have initially started as a migraine or tension headaches may have been aggravated by the presence of these bumps.

For the TMJ, I suggest you seek consult with an ENT specialist to have this thoroughly checked. This may also cause your headaches if not add to your discomfort ( unless you are still contemplating on ventriloquism as a lifelong career :) )

So do have these "bumps"  checked. They may require further evaluation and intervention if they begin to manifest with pain.

Are the "bumps" red  or swelling?

[SuperGimp]

bump