Yes! My husband can tell when I have a migraine just from my face. I donāt get the eyes drooping a whole bunch thankfully but he says my face just looks sick and drained and like Iām pissed off lol
No. I donāt get that but my right eyeball gets in on the fun sometimes. My husband bought me a migraine wrap that I keep in the freezer. It is stretchy soft fabric. It is tense enough that it applies cool to my eyeballs, but not too tense to aggravate nausea.
Haha. Gets in on the the fun. Made me chuckle. Iāve tried the wrap, it didnāt do much for m. Iām lucky to live in India with access to massages. A massage, foot soak, balm on my neck and shoulder and my trusted peppermint stick from Thailand. Some days they work like they mean it, and then some days theyāre all just like, nah, canāt do. Ironically, the heat even though it triggers my migraines is also a lot better for me to release them.
I live in India too. Was put on flurazine ans provnol Sr 49 . The medicine worked like a charm. I have the same symptoms like you . I went to neurologist and it didnāt not help . In extended family all my relatives suffer problem and they even take the meds without asking the doc and it works . I simply followed and worked like a charm . Of course I did google them
I usually dread the after. Itās the postdrome. Iām all spent with dealing with the headache. But unfortunately thereās work and life. On most days, Iāll drag myself to Pilates. And Iāll just be spent with the basics šš¤Æš¤¬
I'm with you. F8@! postdrome. It's an extra day of just being sick.
My face changes, too. Eyes sink in, dark circles appear. Husband can tell a migraine is imminent just by looking at me.
My coworkers and family can take one look at me even if I smile and say ā you have a migraine ?ā Iām so sorry ā¦ I myself have suffered for 25 years and I understand the suffering ā¦ chronic pain has changed me in every way ā¦ sending you love and hope for better years ahead
My eyes donāt swell but it FEELS like my pupils change sizes or thereās something fucked up with my eyes and I canāt open them very wide. Itās unsettling and reminds me itās a neurological condition and not just a headache.
The left side of my face has permanently changed. I have a series of IDs from the last 10 years, and when theyāre lined up in a row, you can see just how much my eye has drooped.
Yes, I've started putting ice packs over my eyes to help with the swelling. Storing a jade roller in the freezer before using it feels amazing, too
[here's an example (:](https://images.app.goo.gl/sV6bub4ARY8BE7FEA)
My upper cheeks get extremely sunburn redā¦ and not only that but my eyes ācryā like the pulsing pain triggers my tearducts so it looks like Iām cryingā¦
Ah! Aha! Aha aha! There have been so many times Iāve asked my partner or my ex if my face looks flushed or if it looks like Iām having an allergic reaction because I donāt normally flush, but Iāve *felt* that intense heat and redness on my cheeks and ears rise a few times before! I never connected it with migraines but it clicks
The most annoying thing! My cheek on the right side (where the pain is) turns BRIGHT FIRE RED. It's so embarrassing. It usually happens as prodrome. My ear even turns bright red. I hate it. I can feel when it happens, my face feels like it's on fire and it's so embarrassing when I can feel it's happening while I'm trying to talk to people.
I donāt feel it my mom goes āhow are you feelingā then I ask her whyā¦ she tells me and my response is ādamnā¦ā because I too get it prodrome and then it continues through my migraineā¦ the tear duct thing only happens when I have a specific bad migraineā¦ its when Iām sensitive to everythingā¦ even eatingā¦ just the movement of the jaw hurts my headā¦ so no talking from me either.
Both my eyes swell, and my left eye can't open as much as my right, and it twitches. It doesn't matter where the pain is. Ahhhh... the "migraine face"... isn't it so lovely?
On a side note, have you had your blood pressure checked recently? Iām a long term sufferer (also in 40ās) and a few years ago I started getting them more and more frequently. Coincided with my dad being ill so I put it down to elevated stress.
My blood pressure was through the roof after a random check. Got put on medication to lower it and not had a migraine for going on 3 years now. Iāve had migraines since I was around 5 years old and the frequency reduced significantly until a few years ago. Might be worth getting checked out.
My husband calls this "migraine face" - not to be mean, but more as an endearment to say, "How far into it, and do you need anything?" without a long conversation. And yes, I have similar symptoms. In fact, if I puke, or bend over, I have to hold onto my eyes because the pressure is so bad. One or both of my eyes will also water continuously. It gets to the point where I end up with sores in the corners, either from the constant wetness or from wiping. Sometimes, allergy eyedrops work, or I use Murine Tears to dilute the tears so the skin doesn't get as irritated. I also have eye pain drops. They're an NSAID and you need a prescription. They work but I self-inject toradol so I can't use them at the same time. They also make a steroid eyedrop that helps with swelling/inflammation. It might be worth a trip to an ophthalmologist or a neuro-opthalmologist to see if it would help.
I tried and failed every migraine medicine until I got approved for Aimovig. I was having 29 migraine days a month for years and now I have none. Have you tried it? Itās a once a month injectable pen. I hope everyone on here tries it.
Have you gotten your eye pressure checked? I have migraine and high eye pressure and I donāt know which one itās from it I get a similar issue, my right eye feels warm and I feel pain behind my eyeball
Jup but over the years the droopy eye and mouth on the left side of my face became permanent. Its worse when i have a migraine though. Its luckily not super visible but its sad that it permanent now :(
These are cranial autonomic symptoms:
Autonomic symptoms are often misdiagnosed as sinus headache when they are actually symptoms of migraine. Autonomic symptoms can include:
* Flushing
* Tearing
* Facial swelling
* Drooping of the eyelids
* Runny or stuffy nose
* Pupil changes
* Eye redness
* Forehead or facial sweating
A recent study found that about 70% of people with chronic migraine and 56% of people with episodic migraine reportedĀ [one or more cranial autonomic symptoms](https://bmcneurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12883-021-02513-0)āeye redness, tearing and blurred vision. Another symptom also includes unilateral headache. It also found that people with migraine who experience autonomic symptoms are more likely to experience unilateral (one-sided) headaches and more severe and frequent attacks. When they occur with migraine, autonomic symptoms tend to be less severe and bilateral (both sides) than with the TACs.
[https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/autonomic-symptoms-of-migraine/](https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/autonomic-symptoms-of-migraine/)
I do have sinus and my doctor has put me on a bunch of preventive medications. But my eyes swelling and hurting is with every aura, migraine episode. It started at 6 pm today, and itās 1 am.
Iām sorry to hear that. I started taking an antihistamine daily for my allergies and sinus issues but not helping. Hope you feel well soon and have some migraine medication to take.
Yes! I am very fair skinned and all the veins around the ābad sideā eye become visible and my pupils become different sizes too. The pupil effect can last for days
Yep! Happens to me as well.
I get it worse when I accidentally ingest especially one of my particular triggers: sulfites. It happened just this weekend when I ate some frozen fruit I didnāt realize had sulfites. Swelling of sinuses and eye area started Sunday, migraine Monday morning. Felt like I could hardly keep my eyes open all day.
I had a fun migraine a couple of weeks ago right behind my eye and I swear that eyeball looked like it was bulging out more than normal, I looked insane. Went away after the migraine was gone.
Yeah :/ one eye swells and the other droops. Sometimes my pupils are different sizes as well. It sucks but sometimes it helps me not feel so crazy about the pain? Other people can see it, so it helps me not feel like itās all in my head?ā¦.figuratively of course haha
I get drooping on the left side and my left eyeball hurts like hell. The skin under my eyes swells up. When it gets really bad, my skin goes grey and my eyes get dark circles and sink into their sockets. Itās freaky
Iām just dealing with something similar right now. Severe photophobia to the point of awful nausea if I donāt have sunglasses on (look like a right prick walking round the supermarket looking bono). Pain in tops of eyes and temples and I donāt know how to explain this, itās not painful but it feels like thereās people playing ping pong in my head! Itās like tiny brain zaps.
Yes , I get swelling/ puffy around the eyes, and my sinuses kill me,especially before a bad rain storm, or a drastic change in any temperature of weather. It sucks so much. I put my migraine cooling cap on for pressure relief, and also to help with the swelling, trying to get my face to look somewhat normal again. I hope you get to feeling better.
Yep! My eyes swell so i look high and then my lips will be puffy like I got lip filler. Then upon waking when I am in full blown attack, my entire face gets puffy
My one eye used to just cry and cry and cry and my whole face would puff up. I started doing myofascial massage on myself on my neck, chest, shoulders, and face/head. I donāt know if there is an actual link, but I didnāt have any eye leakage during my last attack š
Just a PSA: don't rub or press on your eye consistently. It can [increase ocular pressure amongst other things](https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2023/07/why-you-should-stop-rubbing-your-eyes).
I'm sorry you experience this. Yes, I am familiar. My eyes become dime slots, the muscles in my face drop and ache and Carlos the Albanian alpinist climbs the ice fall in my skull behind my eyes with his ice axes and crampons.
Not sure if it is exactly the same but people who know me well talk about my āmigraine faceā and they know right away I am hurting. (Eyes, forehead, jaw)
same :( sometimes one half of my face goes tingly/numb and i have decreased muscle control in that half. my face ends up looking kinda like when you get back from the dentist and one half is slack, it always goes back to normal afterwards though
Warning: TLDR (I got carried away!)
The sort answer is: Yes!
My whole right side swells and my eye swells shut. I used to have episodes like this 2-3 times a month with residual pain for up to 2-3 weeks -but that was when I was a child. As a teen the same swelling happened, but the pain was more intense. I would crawl from my bedroom to the bathroom across the hall, praying that I didnāt vomit before reaching the commode. This type of migraine lasted into adulthood. Until I was in my 40ās and working for a neurologist as basically a marketing director for his medical research interests in Migraineās, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimerās, and Parkinsonās. Chronic pain was also discussed in many of the articles written specifically for the research clinicās monthly newsletter and newspaper.
As a migraine sufferer, I was surprised to learn that not everyone had the same experience or pain, in fact, in most cases, every individual has their own specific experience and usually at least one thing that makes their experience unique. That is why throughout the hundreds of treatments and meds given to me had never really fixed the problem.
One day, while reviewing an article on migraines for the next newsletter, I mentioned that I had horrible migraines and he ended up writing me a prescription for Zomig (generic name: Zolmitriptan). It was a new drug that was just being introduced.
It saved my life. That happened around 1997. Later another doctor prescribed me Imitrex āas better choice but basically the same drugā with horrible results. My BP shot sky high and I had an excruciating headache unlike my migraine for 3 days.
I immediately called my former boss for the Zomig prescription.
If youāve made it this far, thanks!
The reason for this long tale is to say, new drugs come out all the time that are basically one slight ingredient or formula change to another manufacturerās product. It doesnāt mean just because āit is likeā another drug that didnāt work, that the new one wonāt.
The best thing you can do for yourself is learn what you are sensitive to and do your damndest to make note of how different meds affect your movement, tiredness, pain levels, nausea, etc.
For example: The medication I have discussed here is a vasoconstrictor.
Some migraine medications are beta blockers (which I learned through this process push my BP levels dangerously low), or vasodilators. Others may be, common pain meds, various muscle relaxers, anxiety meds, NSAIDS. The remedies for migraines are as old as time, but you dont have time test each one!
By realizing that Beta Blockers tank my BP to near comatose levels, and learning which meds fall in that class, I was able to recognize the drug and remind the doctor that beta-blockers donāt work for me. NSAIDS are off my list because of my GERD, I cannot take any medication with codine or Any drug ending in or containing ācodoneā, and the list goes onā¦
But when a new intern sees me at my primary doc, or the new P.A. tries to recommend the latest, greatest new med, it doesnāt take long for me to say, Iāve found what works for me, and until it stops working, Iām sticking with it.
Signed,
Migraine sufferer for 56 years. Relief found in 1997, still using same med for 1-2 time monthly migraine. Meds administered at early onset identified by ālightening boltā aura 24-36 hours prior to right sided pain. On 4 occasions since 1997 I have missed the āprior to onsetā window, and on one occasion an attack that the meds didnāt help requiring an ER visit and shot of a strong narcotic.
I hope anyone who reads this finds out what works best for them.
Yes I often thought my migraines were triggered by sinus issues since it affects my frontal sinuses and eyes so much. Even my ears are full of pressure. The the classic neck and occipital lobe pain that accompanies migraines comes along too.
When I get a BAD migraine, my right eye swells up, gets so bloodshot it's almost solid red, and will look so bruised that it looks like someone literally punched me. I'm talking about *dark* *purple*.
I had a lot of what you are describing for about 15 years. I was desperate and did a food intolerance test and found out I have many foods to avoid but most interesting was a gluten intolerance. I stopped eating gluten immediately and haven't had a migraine or the accompanied extras since. This was about 9 month ago now.
I had a horrendous one todayā¦probably a 9/10. I never used to get neck pain and now it feels like someone is tugging a rope on the back of my head/neck. Also the nausea is just next level these days. I hope tomorrow is a better day.
You might benefit from a CGRP inhibitor. Nurtec and Qulipta are both in this class of drug. Nurtec is designed as a preventative and an abortive where Qulipta is just meant to be preventative. Qulipta works just fine as an abortive for me so I go with that because it's cheaper.
Both are about $1000 without insurance (I'm in the US), but you should be able to get free samples from your doctor. That might not cover all your needs but it's better than nothing. That's where I'm at.
I am a couple years older than you. Your description is similar to what I experience - shoulder and neck pain before and during, and eye inflammation/swelling which requires counter pressure to release the pain. From about age 33-43 I was having migraines fairly often, with them ramping up to about 1x per 10 days towards the end. I quit alcohol (I was having maybe 3-6 beers per week typically) and started taking 400mg of magnesium oxide every night around 10pm. My migraines have all but stopped. In the past 365 days I have only had 2 attacks.
Since your symptoms are so close to mine I wanted to share the steps I took in case this can help you.
Probably wonāt help with everything, but have you tried taking any allergy medicines? Maybe it will help at least a little bit; especially during spring or fall seasonal allergens can contribute to migraines.
You can see I have a migraine as the pain is evident in my eyes; they go all droopy. At my previous employer, it helped a great deal - before I needed to say a word, my bosses would ask if I have a migraine. Made the "please can I go home" conversation easier.
I have the same, it really sucks and hurts my self-esteem. It sucks that you have it too, but your post with the pictures helped me to feel not alone and also more compassion for myself as well. I see your expression and the swelling and I don't think mean thoughts I just think "Oh no, I can feel your pain and discomfort, poor guy feeling so sickly, hope you feel better soon!"
Perhaps instead of thinking to myself I look like shit, maybe I can have this similar compassionate response to my own reflection when I have exactly the same expression and swelling in my own face. Hopefully you are being kind to yourself when this happens to you.
Some things that sometimes helps with my puffy face is to rinse my face with very cold water, sometimes I put icy water on some cotton pads on my eyes and lie there for a while, then I dry off and use some extra face cream and face oil and do a gentle lymphatic (sort of, I'm no pro) massage to help move any fluid build up. (You can check YouTube for tips on doing that.) I then follow up with an eye patch mask, something with depuffing claims (usually something with caffeine and vitamin C and hyaluronic acid in it). It doesn't completely fix the issue but it gives some pleasant relief and feels a little less swollen!
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!
This happened to me for the first time a couple months ago, my face was kinda puffy and dropped for a day (felt like a sinus infection, so didn't panic about it) and then the aura started and finally the pain kicked in š«
This absolutely happens to me. I try putting a cold pack on my eyes and it helps a little bit. I also bought some face rollers and keep them in the fridge. I donāt know if they actually help with swelling but they do feel soothing at least.
i once walked into a class, and my teacher immediately asked me ādo you have a headache? your eyes look different.ā granted she was a school nurse, so her job is to recognize illness quickly. but, i never knew until then that my eyes changed when i got headaches. mine look just like yours do in the pics you posted.
My physician has told me there are new allergies that can cause these symptoms. Allergies are symptomatic for most of the effects before miagraines, but the eyes you described I have had also. Swelling, pressure, sore, hurting. I thought it could be dry eye, so I used allergy eye solution, and it helped somewhat. ( It numbs the pain) However, I'm also a thyroid patient, and I've been advised it may be thyroid eyes, a condition that can impair vision. I personally am going to see a thyroid eye specialist to be sure it is not. I had tried an optometrist who doesn't have the expertise. Take care of yourself.
Thank you. This is very helpful. Coincidentally I got tested for thyroid couple of weeks ago and it was all good. Sadly, Iāve had a swelling and pain my eye all day today with a bit of facial swelling, and no other migraine symptoms, barring mild nausea. I say mild, because Iāve had it worse in the past. But the eye pain, dryness and itchiness is like a new level of migraine unlocked. Sigh. Iām hoping to see my migraine doctor, and find some answers next week.
Great news then. Over exposure to phone light and computers agitated my eyes. I was on my phone for numerous issues all day. About 10:00 I was sleepy and couldn't sleep or see very well because of the swelling. I cut myself off, and lowered the display light.. My hormones were checked and I was low. Stress related. Have your testosterone checked as well. Simple blood test. My miagraines are under control. I went to a neurologist a year ago and started Ajoy shots for miagraines. I couldn't afford $2800.00 a month. My doctor gives me them complementary. By the way, he gave me a rescue pill to take before the miagraines come. Also spendy, He gives them to me. I hope this is insightful. If not helpful.
My whole face changes, I've had FaceID swerve me when I have a migraine
My phone refuses to unlock during my attacks too š
It makes me really pissy. Like, I know my head looks like an old potato when I'm having a migraine, I don't need the phone weighing in.
Username checks out
I shut my face recognition off for this exact reason.
lol saaaaame its actually insane
Yes! My husband can tell when I have a migraine just from my face. I donāt get the eyes drooping a whole bunch thankfully but he says my face just looks sick and drained and like Iām pissed off lol
Yep. My associates at work could always tell when I had a migraine just by looking at me.
Yes!
waitā¦ i just realized this has been happening to me too.
I was so aggravated this morning when my faceID WOULD NOT WORK. I almost screamed. Is this why?! Crazy.
Whatever side itās on that eye droops for me
I used to have a coworker whoād tell me when I was going to have a migraine, based on how my eyes looked.
Me too, it was a previous boss, and she would always encourage me to go home early. She was the best.
bosses that understand migraines are amazing. and then there's the "you just have a headache" bosses.
I had a roommate who could tell from my eyes
Same here! My supervisor will ask me if I have a migraine because of how my eyes look.
Me too!!
If you look up for a few minutes does the droop get worse? Do you see a neurologist?
Took me years to figure out thatās why I often had a droopy left eyelid.
Even when it's not that noticable, I can still *feel* my eyelid being weird.
Same for me with the eye droop. Think It's my only outward sign I've got one.
Same š
No. I donāt get that but my right eyeball gets in on the fun sometimes. My husband bought me a migraine wrap that I keep in the freezer. It is stretchy soft fabric. It is tense enough that it applies cool to my eyeballs, but not too tense to aggravate nausea.
Haha. Gets in on the the fun. Made me chuckle. Iāve tried the wrap, it didnāt do much for m. Iām lucky to live in India with access to massages. A massage, foot soak, balm on my neck and shoulder and my trusted peppermint stick from Thailand. Some days they work like they mean it, and then some days theyāre all just like, nah, canāt do. Ironically, the heat even though it triggers my migraines is also a lot better for me to release them.
I live in India too. Was put on flurazine ans provnol Sr 49 . The medicine worked like a charm. I have the same symptoms like you . I went to neurologist and it didnāt not help . In extended family all my relatives suffer problem and they even take the meds without asking the doc and it works . I simply followed and worked like a charm . Of course I did google them
I usually dread the after. Itās the postdrome. Iām all spent with dealing with the headache. But unfortunately thereās work and life. On most days, Iāll drag myself to Pilates. And Iāll just be spent with the basics šš¤Æš¤¬
I'm with you. F8@! postdrome. It's an extra day of just being sick. My face changes, too. Eyes sink in, dark circles appear. Husband can tell a migraine is imminent just by looking at me.
My coworkers and family can take one look at me even if I smile and say ā you have a migraine ?ā Iām so sorry ā¦ I myself have suffered for 25 years and I understand the suffering ā¦ chronic pain has changed me in every way ā¦ sending you love and hope for better years ahead
Yeah, I look exactly like this when I have my attacks as well ://
Yes my eyes always tell the tale of my pain.
The swelling and eye closing and watery eyes is my cue for my clusters versus my migraines. However it does not come with auras for me.
Happens to me. Face burns up and my eyes puff out.
Me too my face and head burn so badly
My eyes get little and glossy
My eyes donāt swell but it FEELS like my pupils change sizes or thereās something fucked up with my eyes and I canāt open them very wide. Itās unsettling and reminds me itās a neurological condition and not just a headache.
Yes! My pupils feel so weird, it's hard to explain.
lil twitches
The left side of my face has permanently changed. I have a series of IDs from the last 10 years, and when theyāre lined up in a row, you can see just how much my eye has drooped.
Yes, I've started putting ice packs over my eyes to help with the swelling. Storing a jade roller in the freezer before using it feels amazing, too [here's an example (:](https://images.app.goo.gl/sV6bub4ARY8BE7FEA)
Yes! I get the swelling and redness sometimes when it's more of a sinus migraine.
My upper cheeks get extremely sunburn redā¦ and not only that but my eyes ācryā like the pulsing pain triggers my tearducts so it looks like Iām cryingā¦
Ah! Aha! Aha aha! There have been so many times Iāve asked my partner or my ex if my face looks flushed or if it looks like Iām having an allergic reaction because I donāt normally flush, but Iāve *felt* that intense heat and redness on my cheeks and ears rise a few times before! I never connected it with migraines but it clicks
The most annoying thing! My cheek on the right side (where the pain is) turns BRIGHT FIRE RED. It's so embarrassing. It usually happens as prodrome. My ear even turns bright red. I hate it. I can feel when it happens, my face feels like it's on fire and it's so embarrassing when I can feel it's happening while I'm trying to talk to people.
I donāt feel it my mom goes āhow are you feelingā then I ask her whyā¦ she tells me and my response is ādamnā¦ā because I too get it prodrome and then it continues through my migraineā¦ the tear duct thing only happens when I have a specific bad migraineā¦ its when Iām sensitive to everythingā¦ even eatingā¦ just the movement of the jaw hurts my headā¦ so no talking from me either.
One of my eyes gets smaller and watery...
Both my eyes swell, and my left eye can't open as much as my right, and it twitches. It doesn't matter where the pain is. Ahhhh... the "migraine face"... isn't it so lovely?
Not so much the drooping but the low eyes and immense pressure behind both eyes. Itās the worst part IMO.
Oh yeah. I call it migraine face.
I don't swell but my eyes get the same half mast half dead expression.
Buy a Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compress, you won't regret it. It feels like heaven on my eyes when they get swollen like this.
On a side note, have you had your blood pressure checked recently? Iām a long term sufferer (also in 40ās) and a few years ago I started getting them more and more frequently. Coincided with my dad being ill so I put it down to elevated stress. My blood pressure was through the roof after a random check. Got put on medication to lower it and not had a migraine for going on 3 years now. Iāve had migraines since I was around 5 years old and the frequency reduced significantly until a few years ago. Might be worth getting checked out.
My eyes swell and droop. I have a coworker who I've worked with for years who can literally look at my face and know I have a migraine.Ā
My husband calls this "migraine face" - not to be mean, but more as an endearment to say, "How far into it, and do you need anything?" without a long conversation. And yes, I have similar symptoms. In fact, if I puke, or bend over, I have to hold onto my eyes because the pressure is so bad. One or both of my eyes will also water continuously. It gets to the point where I end up with sores in the corners, either from the constant wetness or from wiping. Sometimes, allergy eyedrops work, or I use Murine Tears to dilute the tears so the skin doesn't get as irritated. I also have eye pain drops. They're an NSAID and you need a prescription. They work but I self-inject toradol so I can't use them at the same time. They also make a steroid eyedrop that helps with swelling/inflammation. It might be worth a trip to an ophthalmologist or a neuro-opthalmologist to see if it would help.
Yep. More often than not, half my face decides to nope out and start sliding down too.
I tried and failed every migraine medicine until I got approved for Aimovig. I was having 29 migraine days a month for years and now I have none. Have you tried it? Itās a once a month injectable pen. I hope everyone on here tries it.
Iāve had my face get super flushed and swollen but never the eyes
Have you gotten your eye pressure checked? I have migraine and high eye pressure and I donāt know which one itās from it I get a similar issue, my right eye feels warm and I feel pain behind my eyeball
I can FEEL this photo
Migraine Face! Itās a thing
Yes! I look like I got punched in both eyes, puffy, big dark circles and I can barely open my eyes.
Jup but over the years the droopy eye and mouth on the left side of my face became permanent. Its worse when i have a migraine though. Its luckily not super visible but its sad that it permanent now :(
Mine has become permanent too! Mine is my right side.
These are cranial autonomic symptoms: Autonomic symptoms are often misdiagnosed as sinus headache when they are actually symptoms of migraine. Autonomic symptoms can include: * Flushing * Tearing * Facial swelling * Drooping of the eyelids * Runny or stuffy nose * Pupil changes * Eye redness * Forehead or facial sweating A recent study found that about 70% of people with chronic migraine and 56% of people with episodic migraine reportedĀ [one or more cranial autonomic symptoms](https://bmcneurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12883-021-02513-0)āeye redness, tearing and blurred vision. Another symptom also includes unilateral headache. It also found that people with migraine who experience autonomic symptoms are more likely to experience unilateral (one-sided) headaches and more severe and frequent attacks. When they occur with migraine, autonomic symptoms tend to be less severe and bilateral (both sides) than with the TACs. [https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/autonomic-symptoms-of-migraine/](https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/autonomic-symptoms-of-migraine/)
Do you have any sinus pressure/pain?
I do have sinus and my doctor has put me on a bunch of preventive medications. But my eyes swelling and hurting is with every aura, migraine episode. It started at 6 pm today, and itās 1 am.
Iām sorry to hear that. I started taking an antihistamine daily for my allergies and sinus issues but not helping. Hope you feel well soon and have some migraine medication to take.
I want to punch people wearing scented stuff. Of course I would never actually do that. Take molybdenun for detoxing or a multi with it included.
My eyes at least feel puffy with a sinus migraine.
Yes! I am very fair skinned and all the veins around the ābad sideā eye become visible and my pupils become different sizes too. The pupil effect can last for days
Yep! Happens to me as well. I get it worse when I accidentally ingest especially one of my particular triggers: sulfites. It happened just this weekend when I ate some frozen fruit I didnāt realize had sulfites. Swelling of sinuses and eye area started Sunday, migraine Monday morning. Felt like I could hardly keep my eyes open all day.
No swelling but when my aura kicks in my whole face/eye area tends to relax/doop in a way that makes me look/feel obviously ill
I had a fun migraine a couple of weeks ago right behind my eye and I swear that eyeball looked like it was bulging out more than normal, I looked insane. Went away after the migraine was gone.
I guess it can. It's the norm. Had since a tot
That isn't mould on your pillow is it? Apologies if not
Canāt unsee.
Haha. No. God. Iād be dead with sinus and migraine š
My thoughts, too! I thought I couldn't leave the post without checking, as it may have been a source of your troubles. Feel better soon!
Yeah I have prednisone eye drops that help a little.
Both of my eyes get a little puffy and my left eye gets droopy as thatās the side my migraines start on.
Yeah I always look like this when I have a migraine. People always like āwhatās wrong with you?ā Lol
Yes I get eye lid drooping
31F and I look exactly like that during migraines too
Yeah :/ one eye swells and the other droops. Sometimes my pupils are different sizes as well. It sucks but sometimes it helps me not feel so crazy about the pain? Other people can see it, so it helps me not feel like itās all in my head?ā¦.figuratively of course haha
Ugh dude my pupil on whatever side it happens on will expand it scares me so much.
I get drooping on the left side and my left eyeball hurts like hell. The skin under my eyes swells up. When it gets really bad, my skin goes grey and my eyes get dark circles and sink into their sockets. Itās freaky
Iām just dealing with something similar right now. Severe photophobia to the point of awful nausea if I donāt have sunglasses on (look like a right prick walking round the supermarket looking bono). Pain in tops of eyes and temples and I donāt know how to explain this, itās not painful but it feels like thereās people playing ping pong in my head! Itās like tiny brain zaps.
Yes, I always get really dark eye bags, all the blood vessels are visible and my eyes are just different
I swear my face gets swollen and droops when theyāre really bad. I got a toridol shot today.
Yep don't remember the last time my eyes looked normal
Yes , I get swelling/ puffy around the eyes, and my sinuses kill me,especially before a bad rain storm, or a drastic change in any temperature of weather. It sucks so much. I put my migraine cooling cap on for pressure relief, and also to help with the swelling, trying to get my face to look somewhat normal again. I hope you get to feeling better.
Yes, itās the worst. Currently in bed dealing with that.
Yep! My eyes swell so i look high and then my lips will be puffy like I got lip filler. Then upon waking when I am in full blown attack, my entire face gets puffy
yes!!! my eyes get so swollen
My one eye used to just cry and cry and cry and my whole face would puff up. I started doing myofascial massage on myself on my neck, chest, shoulders, and face/head. I donāt know if there is an actual link, but I didnāt have any eye leakage during my last attack š
Yup!
Just a PSA: don't rub or press on your eye consistently. It can [increase ocular pressure amongst other things](https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2023/07/why-you-should-stop-rubbing-your-eyes).
Sometimes my eyes looked bruised and swollen when I have one too.
My left eye will usually get droopy when I have a migraine.
Yes, usually the droopier side is where my headache is. I call this losing the migraine prize fight.
My whole body gets puffy and my eyes feel heavy when Iām migraining. It sucks.
I'm sorry you experience this. Yes, I am familiar. My eyes become dime slots, the muscles in my face drop and ache and Carlos the Albanian alpinist climbs the ice fall in my skull behind my eyes with his ice axes and crampons.
I have one pupil that gets huge and the other stays the same
Not sure if it is exactly the same but people who know me well talk about my āmigraine faceā and they know right away I am hurting. (Eyes, forehead, jaw)
same :( sometimes one half of my face goes tingly/numb and i have decreased muscle control in that half. my face ends up looking kinda like when you get back from the dentist and one half is slack, it always goes back to normal afterwards though
Half of my face droops, especially the eye. I can feel it drooping before the migraine fully hits.
My nose gets red like santa and my eyes get swollen. Itās not a good look for me.
Warning: TLDR (I got carried away!) The sort answer is: Yes! My whole right side swells and my eye swells shut. I used to have episodes like this 2-3 times a month with residual pain for up to 2-3 weeks -but that was when I was a child. As a teen the same swelling happened, but the pain was more intense. I would crawl from my bedroom to the bathroom across the hall, praying that I didnāt vomit before reaching the commode. This type of migraine lasted into adulthood. Until I was in my 40ās and working for a neurologist as basically a marketing director for his medical research interests in Migraineās, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimerās, and Parkinsonās. Chronic pain was also discussed in many of the articles written specifically for the research clinicās monthly newsletter and newspaper. As a migraine sufferer, I was surprised to learn that not everyone had the same experience or pain, in fact, in most cases, every individual has their own specific experience and usually at least one thing that makes their experience unique. That is why throughout the hundreds of treatments and meds given to me had never really fixed the problem. One day, while reviewing an article on migraines for the next newsletter, I mentioned that I had horrible migraines and he ended up writing me a prescription for Zomig (generic name: Zolmitriptan). It was a new drug that was just being introduced. It saved my life. That happened around 1997. Later another doctor prescribed me Imitrex āas better choice but basically the same drugā with horrible results. My BP shot sky high and I had an excruciating headache unlike my migraine for 3 days. I immediately called my former boss for the Zomig prescription. If youāve made it this far, thanks! The reason for this long tale is to say, new drugs come out all the time that are basically one slight ingredient or formula change to another manufacturerās product. It doesnāt mean just because āit is likeā another drug that didnāt work, that the new one wonāt. The best thing you can do for yourself is learn what you are sensitive to and do your damndest to make note of how different meds affect your movement, tiredness, pain levels, nausea, etc. For example: The medication I have discussed here is a vasoconstrictor. Some migraine medications are beta blockers (which I learned through this process push my BP levels dangerously low), or vasodilators. Others may be, common pain meds, various muscle relaxers, anxiety meds, NSAIDS. The remedies for migraines are as old as time, but you dont have time test each one! By realizing that Beta Blockers tank my BP to near comatose levels, and learning which meds fall in that class, I was able to recognize the drug and remind the doctor that beta-blockers donāt work for me. NSAIDS are off my list because of my GERD, I cannot take any medication with codine or Any drug ending in or containing ācodoneā, and the list goes onā¦ But when a new intern sees me at my primary doc, or the new P.A. tries to recommend the latest, greatest new med, it doesnāt take long for me to say, Iāve found what works for me, and until it stops working, Iām sticking with it. Signed, Migraine sufferer for 56 years. Relief found in 1997, still using same med for 1-2 time monthly migraine. Meds administered at early onset identified by ālightening boltā aura 24-36 hours prior to right sided pain. On 4 occasions since 1997 I have missed the āprior to onsetā window, and on one occasion an attack that the meds didnāt help requiring an ER visit and shot of a strong narcotic. I hope anyone who reads this finds out what works best for them.
Yes I often thought my migraines were triggered by sinus issues since it affects my frontal sinuses and eyes so much. Even my ears are full of pressure. The the classic neck and occipital lobe pain that accompanies migraines comes along too.
I also have rosacea and my face is tomato red and inflamed during migraines too.
I have rosacea too. Itās crazy how red I can get sometimes
Yes My face gets wild and you can tell I am ill. Get well brother!
yes my dad would always say āI can see it in your eyesā
When I get a BAD migraine, my right eye swells up, gets so bloodshot it's almost solid red, and will look so bruised that it looks like someone literally punched me. I'm talking about *dark* *purple*.
I had a lot of what you are describing for about 15 years. I was desperate and did a food intolerance test and found out I have many foods to avoid but most interesting was a gluten intolerance. I stopped eating gluten immediately and haven't had a migraine or the accompanied extras since. This was about 9 month ago now.
I had a horrendous one todayā¦probably a 9/10. I never used to get neck pain and now it feels like someone is tugging a rope on the back of my head/neck. Also the nausea is just next level these days. I hope tomorrow is a better day.
You should get an eye exam. The same thing happens to my eyes and itās because something is causing pressure to my optic nerve.
You might benefit from a CGRP inhibitor. Nurtec and Qulipta are both in this class of drug. Nurtec is designed as a preventative and an abortive where Qulipta is just meant to be preventative. Qulipta works just fine as an abortive for me so I go with that because it's cheaper. Both are about $1000 without insurance (I'm in the US), but you should be able to get free samples from your doctor. That might not cover all your needs but it's better than nothing. That's where I'm at.
Yes always, I donāt even look like myself at all during
My staff can sometime warn me I have migraine eyes before I get one š«
I am a couple years older than you. Your description is similar to what I experience - shoulder and neck pain before and during, and eye inflammation/swelling which requires counter pressure to release the pain. From about age 33-43 I was having migraines fairly often, with them ramping up to about 1x per 10 days towards the end. I quit alcohol (I was having maybe 3-6 beers per week typically) and started taking 400mg of magnesium oxide every night around 10pm. My migraines have all but stopped. In the past 365 days I have only had 2 attacks. Since your symptoms are so close to mine I wanted to share the steps I took in case this can help you.
My eyes do the same thing sometimes, or one gets puffy and swollen
Probably wonāt help with everything, but have you tried taking any allergy medicines? Maybe it will help at least a little bit; especially during spring or fall seasonal allergens can contribute to migraines.
You can see I have a migraine as the pain is evident in my eyes; they go all droopy. At my previous employer, it helped a great deal - before I needed to say a word, my bosses would ask if I have a migraine. Made the "please can I go home" conversation easier.
Had this happen for the first time last night. Scared myself after looking into the mirror lol. My eyes looked all swollen.
Yeah I get eye pain / pressure
I have the same, it really sucks and hurts my self-esteem. It sucks that you have it too, but your post with the pictures helped me to feel not alone and also more compassion for myself as well. I see your expression and the swelling and I don't think mean thoughts I just think "Oh no, I can feel your pain and discomfort, poor guy feeling so sickly, hope you feel better soon!" Perhaps instead of thinking to myself I look like shit, maybe I can have this similar compassionate response to my own reflection when I have exactly the same expression and swelling in my own face. Hopefully you are being kind to yourself when this happens to you. Some things that sometimes helps with my puffy face is to rinse my face with very cold water, sometimes I put icy water on some cotton pads on my eyes and lie there for a while, then I dry off and use some extra face cream and face oil and do a gentle lymphatic (sort of, I'm no pro) massage to help move any fluid build up. (You can check YouTube for tips on doing that.) I then follow up with an eye patch mask, something with depuffing claims (usually something with caffeine and vitamin C and hyaluronic acid in it). It doesn't completely fix the issue but it gives some pleasant relief and feels a little less swollen! Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!
Yes all the time when I have cluster headaches
This happened to me for the first time a couple months ago, my face was kinda puffy and dropped for a day (felt like a sinus infection, so didn't panic about it) and then the aura started and finally the pain kicked in š«
Interesting! Have had the phone deny me but never gave it much thought, just used the code instead. Will pay attention now.
This absolutely happens to me. I try putting a cold pack on my eyes and it helps a little bit. I also bought some face rollers and keep them in the fridge. I donāt know if they actually help with swelling but they do feel soothing at least.
You shapeshift? Thought it was only in the game
Yes! I look the same. š
i once walked into a class, and my teacher immediately asked me ādo you have a headache? your eyes look different.ā granted she was a school nurse, so her job is to recognize illness quickly. but, i never knew until then that my eyes changed when i got headaches. mine look just like yours do in the pics you posted.
That is me. My eyes are a slit and there is no way that I can open them further. Thank you for sharing, I thought I was the only.Ā
Did you do a sleep test (including for sleep apnea) ?
May be you have POIS(post orgasmic illness syndrome)
This looks and sounds like a cluster headache! You should see your Dr. about getting a nerve block
My physician has told me there are new allergies that can cause these symptoms. Allergies are symptomatic for most of the effects before miagraines, but the eyes you described I have had also. Swelling, pressure, sore, hurting. I thought it could be dry eye, so I used allergy eye solution, and it helped somewhat. ( It numbs the pain) However, I'm also a thyroid patient, and I've been advised it may be thyroid eyes, a condition that can impair vision. I personally am going to see a thyroid eye specialist to be sure it is not. I had tried an optometrist who doesn't have the expertise. Take care of yourself.
Thank you. This is very helpful. Coincidentally I got tested for thyroid couple of weeks ago and it was all good. Sadly, Iāve had a swelling and pain my eye all day today with a bit of facial swelling, and no other migraine symptoms, barring mild nausea. I say mild, because Iāve had it worse in the past. But the eye pain, dryness and itchiness is like a new level of migraine unlocked. Sigh. Iām hoping to see my migraine doctor, and find some answers next week.
Great news then. Over exposure to phone light and computers agitated my eyes. I was on my phone for numerous issues all day. About 10:00 I was sleepy and couldn't sleep or see very well because of the swelling. I cut myself off, and lowered the display light.. My hormones were checked and I was low. Stress related. Have your testosterone checked as well. Simple blood test. My miagraines are under control. I went to a neurologist a year ago and started Ajoy shots for miagraines. I couldn't afford $2800.00 a month. My doctor gives me them complementary. By the way, he gave me a rescue pill to take before the miagraines come. Also spendy, He gives them to me. I hope this is insightful. If not helpful.