Long term headache, post nasal drip and tinnitus

[nietweer]

Hi everyone,

For almost a year now I'm suffering from light headaches (in forehead, but exact location differs a lot), post nasal drip (intensity differs) when I swallow and a very low pitched tinnitus. Although I'm not sure when this low tinnitus started and where it came from. I've Always had Pulsatile Tinnitus which is a bit higher pitched and clearly hums on the rhythm of my heart beat, but that one disappears when I lie down, turn my head to the side or push on my neck arteries. This one has been diagnosed by the docs as a harmless venous hum.

But now I really have a very low pitched roar which sounds like there is a car running 2 Streets away. I only hear it at night and it slightly vibrates on the rhythm of the heart beat. Maybe it is a by-product of the venous hum that I never heard before? Or connected to my other problems? It doesn't sound like it is in one ear. Does that kind of rule out tumors?

It's most likely all these symptoms are related right? The GP's think so. I have tried (steroid) nasal sprays, anti-histamines, anti-biotics, vitamines, etc, to battle my symptoms but nothing is really working.
When I started the steriod sprays and anthi histamines for the first time, I noticed an extreme increase in post nasal drip and my headaches got lighter. I thought it was finally going away completely, but it never did.

Now my headaches are light most of the time and by night they are usually gone. In the morning they slowly start again and the cycle continious. Some days I have no headache, some days a bit worse.

The good thing is that it doesn't get worse either. The doc sees that my throat and nose are slightly inflamed from the inside. This could be either the cause or the result of the post nasal drip.

What I would like to know is, anyone familiar with these symptoms? What helped for you? What turned out to be the cause?
I'm terrified of hospitals and medical tests so my question is, does this sound like something serious to you? Could these symptoms be caused by benign stuff like allergies? Or are my sinusses just full with mucus which in return keeps irritating them so they produce more? Could that lead to something serious in the future?

Thanks everyone.
Cheers.

[AKC_75]

Yes. Allergies is what's causing your post-nasal drip. I would ask your doctor about Singulair.

P.S. I had NO allergy symptoms when my doctor gave it to me. Just worsening migraines...like way way worse. I thought he was nuts when he wanted to give me Singulair. But, it has been a miracle drug!

[nietweer]

Thanks for your replies both.

I have no Acid Reflux or GERD. At least, I don't notice any symptoms of those. Mast Cell Disease therefore seems unlikely to me in my situation. No skin rash, no breathing or intestional problems, etc.

Thanks AKC_75 for your recommendation. I don't have a runny nose however, I have POST nasal drip. So the drip is behind my nose, in my throat. My nose is never stuffed or discharging.

I really have something like an irritation in my sinusses / behind nose so that the area there is inflamed and produces a lot of mucus, which then drains from my throat. As a result of the inflammation, pressure rises in my sinusses which causes the headache and probably the tinnitus as well.

Maybe Singulair can help for that as well? Will read into it.

Thanks!

[AKC_75]

Hi and welcome to the Migraines & Headaches Community.

The tinnitus can also happen when your blood pressure is high(er). Have you ever checked your BP at the same time you have the tinnitus?

As far as the runny nose, ask your doctor about Singulair. I have been taking it for a little over a month and it is UNBELIEVABLE at the big difference it has made!

[selmaS]

  Hi...Tinnitus can be the result of many NSAIDS OTC meds....so do look at what you are taking for your other issues as it could be due to one of them.

I am curious with PND do you not have Acid reflux or GERD?

I do have some similar issues with PND and the antihistamines have helped me....I still get the tinnitus from time to time but I am now getting use to having it.....

Did they look for mast cell disease?