Headaches with painful nasal bone

[Nancy_67]

Hi,
I'm a supposed migraine sufferer (without aura) and my headaches usually line up with my menstrual cycles.  However, as a 48-year-old, I'm experiencing irregular cycles now, which makes my headaches that much more unpredictable.  I'm wondering, though, if I was misdiagnosed with migraines years ago, since my headaches always occur on one side of my face or the other, and are limited to one half of my nasal bone all the way up to the inner top "corner" of my eye socket (I can feel a tiny bony structure up in the top corner).  If it's really bad, the pain will radiate to a spot on the side of my head: not exactly my temple, but more like two or three finger-widths behind my temple, going toward my ear.

My nose will become so sore, that whichever half of my head was affected, that side of my nasal bone will actually be painful to the touch for the next few days, even after the headache is gone.  I understand my anterior ethmoid nerve runs right up where the pain always concentrates, so could it be a pinched nerve?  I'm very familiar with sinus infections, and my headaches have no sinus or allergy symptoms, nor have I had a cold, etc.  The headaches usually show up around the time of my cycle (which nowadays can be anywhere from 15 days to 40...whee.)

Relpax, one of the triptan medications, always seems to kill the pain.  The problem is, we have no insurance, I'm not made of money, and if I buy more than three pills a month, I have to pay the regular price of $45 PER PILL.  As I get older and my cycles get more irregular, this is becoming unworkable.  I save my pennies to get Botox injections every three months to keep the headaches away, but again...it's a money thing.

What is the best, cheapest treatment for these kinds of headaches?  Are they indeed a pinched nerve? (I have one of the narrowest noses of anyone I know...and these headaches run on my skinny-nosed side of the family.)  Or are they "cluster" or contact-point headaches?  Unlike traditional migraine sufferers, I've never had an "aura" in my life. I HATE taking Advil, because it upsets my stomach and generally doesn't work.  If I'm desperate and have no Relpax, I take Naprosyn and Sudafed, which work somewhat.  But these headaches can last for up to four days.  Pain meds like Lortab are a complete waste of time: like killing an elephant with a flyswatter.  If it were a pinched nerve, you'd think a hard-core narcotic would work...but it doesn't.

Thanks for your help!  Prayers to my fellow headache sufferers...I know I'd rather have the flu than a migraine headache (or whatever these things are).

[amykay73]

I have been dealing with migraines since I was 8 years old and am now 42.  My Dr prescribed Relpax but it was $400 for 9 pills.  I downloaded an application from Pfizer to get financial help, and was just approved to get Relpax FREE for a year.  I have no ins and make $10,000 a year.  I should get my first shipment tomorrow.  So excited to see if this really helps me.  Try that and see if you get approved especially if Relpax works for you.

[Ball123]

I must say I don't really believe in the pinched nerve theory but hey, that's just me:).

Maybe it would be good for you to take a preventive drug during a period of time until your hormones have settled down again. You already use botox injections, which is a preventive treatment, but it is very expensive and only moderatly effective in most cases. The most comon medicines are perhaps Amitriptyline, Propranolol or Topomax. Amitriptyline for example is very cheap and effective. You should of coarse discuss with your doctor before you do anything, because not all people can take these drugs. There are other drugs as well that might be efficient, AKC_75 mentioned one, so you and your doctor have a lot of options.

A healthy lifestyle and magnesium supplements can also help.

Take care

[AKC_75]

Hi and welcome to the Migraines & Headaches Community.

Sounds like they are in fact related to your sinuses/allergies. About a month ago my Neurologist started me on Singulair for my migraines and I thought he was a total nutcase. I told him I don't have allergies. I took it just to humor him and low and behold, this has been the BEST month I've had in a looooong time!!! Ask your doctor about trying Singulair and see if you have good results.