Sensitive to light always, is this really a Migraine?

[eryts]

This is a long story but I will try to sum it up (pls bare with me).
I have had brain surgery in the past. After the surgery, I had less responsive eye pupils and they were uneven. I did not have any headaches tho, until a few years ago. The headaches are pretty much unbearable. And it's horrible because I get them from almost anything and it's a daily battle! A few years ago (years after brain surgery), my eyes became sensitive to light and smells. Even vibrations, like a car engine! So if I smell perfume or see certain lights (even for 5 seconds) I will have a migraine for days. The migraine, is all around my nose, in my eyebrows and behind my eyes. It's extremely painful! I literally have to massage my face/nose half the day. It feels like a super ache and sinus pressure. And when it's really bad, I call it a "sour ache." I can't explain it. I also do have hormone problems, and I don't normally get my period (if I'm lucky, once a year). I am also on a medicine (for years now) that my dr. thinks I do not need. It does cause headaches, but I've been taking it for years before this started. I'm trying to get off the med but it's hard.

My neuro said this is just a migraine and not related to the brain surgery. But I don't think this is a normal migraine. Pls help with any advice.

[AKC_75]

Hi eryts,

I also experience part of what you explained. I get migraines behind my right eye and all the way down into my cheek.

Yes, smells (of any kind) can be a migraine trigger and what makes it difficult is that it can be different smells all the time. Perfume can be a trigger one time and the next time you are just fine with the perfume. It can get frustrating!

Yes, I recently found out from my own Neurologist that medications, especially meds you have been taking for a long period can not only cause migraines but even make them worse. I went through a month of total detox where I wasn't allowed to take any meds at all cause my doc wanted to start me over with a whole new regimen.

AKC

[Eddie1994]

Hi,

"Just a migraine," eh!  Has your Neuro offered any migraine medications such as Topamax, or triptans such as Maxalt for the migraine pain, or nausea medications such as Zofran?  I believe, like you, that the pain is the after effects from the surgery but it also is migraine like as your Doctor stated.  It is common to have migraines after such surgery and it is important for you to find what triggers the pain.  In many instances, the hardware implants used in the surgery is usually the source of pain with some external source as the trigger.

The external sources can include changing weather conditions, electrical devices interacting with metal implants, or physical pressure on the surgical site.  Was your surgery nearby the optic nerve in the frontal sections of your head?  If so, that could explain the triggers you mentioned.

Ed