Cold Weather Migraine: Sinus Infection and Head Cold

Cold weather and migraine are related for me. I get severe sinus infections every year!  I have had sinus surgery and still get sinus infections!  They are a huge trigger for my migraine attacks and this season has been no different.  I was once told that I’m allergic to viruses and get very sick when I contract an infection like a cold, sinus infection or the flu.  When I  get sick, it always ends in a migraine.  My sinus infection was treated with an antibiotic and ended with a cycle of migraine.

Cold Weather Migraine Symptoms

Prior to that, I had been burning my candle from both ends, so to speak,  and got a cold. The first day, I was wiped out with no energy, lost my voice, and was overall down and out.  The following days I continued to cough and had other various cold like symptoms.  I have to say, colds are no fun and I’m glad I don’t get them often.  It was more annoying than anything else though.  I was just ready for my cold weather migraine symptoms to be done.  I could continue on with my life but it slowed me down a bit.

Head Cold and Migraine

For me, cold weather leads to migraine.  I tried not to take a lot of over the counter (OTC) cold meds because I really don’t like to take OTCs in general.  I lived a period of my life getting rebound headaches not understanding the repercussions of OTCs and I have not taken them since.   So med free, I had a coughing fit one night.  This fit triggered a migraine and I immediately went into abort migraine mode.

Can Coughing Trigger a Migraine?

I actually thought to myself, “wow, a cold is annoying but a migraine sends true fear through me.”  The proverbial trick or treat.   A cold is no treat, but with a migraine looming I took it as one.  My trick being pain, pain, pain, and I wasn’t falling for it.  I had  resisted taking meds all week but once the migraine hit I immediately took what I hoped would be effective.

With the coughing, lack of sleep, stuffy head turned sinus infection I knew a migraine would not be far away.  I went to the doctor to confirm a sinus infection and start an antibiotic.  I never feel better immediately on antibiotics and once they kicked in they started a migraine cycle for me that last 3 days.

Why do I get a Cold Weather Migraine?

Like I said, it’s no fun at all (especially with 2 children that also have colds and sinus infections) but having a simple cold made me feel almost normal.   It was the migraine cycle that ended it that was the worst.  Being sick is so hard but combined with chronic migraine it makes the battle all that harder!

Products to Survive Cold Weather Migraine

 Here’s some of my favorite products getting me through the winter:

Original Sprout-clean non toxic hair and body care

SensaCalm– Weighted blanket.  My favorite winter present to snuggle under!

Axon Optics– Eyewear for light sensitivity

Aromafloria-Unscented lotion, oils etc. that can be left without smell or mixed with your favorite essential oil. Love the oils in my baths for cold weather migraine relief.

*These are affiliate links.  This means if you buy from the link I provide I will be rewarded.  Thank you, I hope you like the product as much as I do.  I only recommend things I use in my home and for relief.

More on weather and migraine:

Do Weather Swings Trigger Migraine?