1. < Headache & Migraine
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Neurologist doubts neck pain from migraine

Posted by roseann4z @roseann4z, Jun 7, 2025

My recent visit to my neurologist a headache expert said she wasn’t sure the pain I experience at the base of my skull is migraine. I know I also have headaches triggered by neck muscles but I’ve read so many accounts of neck & pain in the back of the head being migraine too. She wanted to add a muscle relaxer to my meds but I don’t want another pill. I do have classic migraine with visual aura sometimes but so far Qulipta & Nurtec don’t help much.
Anyone with neck/skull issues? Does chiropractic or acupuncture help, PT?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Headache & Migraine Support Group.

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roseann4z | @roseann4z | Jun 17, 2025

Thank you for sharing and for your advice. Very helpful. I’m 71 and my former neuro asked me if I wasn’t a little old for migraines!!!

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haank63 | @haank63 | Jun 18, 2025
In reply to @chell926 "I have had chronic migraines for over 30 years that trigger autonomic issues such as numbness..." + (show)
Profile picture for chell926 @chell926

I have had chronic migraines for over 30 years that trigger autonomic issues such as numbness and discoloration in toes, severe muscle tightness head to toe, as well as vertigo and aura. I have a few different types of migraines but the one consistent thing is my neck and traps are always in pain. I've read many lectures on MigraineWorldSummit and it prompted to me to get a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and have functionhealth run their full annual blood work. There are a few things that came out of that blood work that doctors have never tested for, not even Mayo: I have low Leptin, low Insulin, and extremely low Omega 3 levels. Because I am lean, I apparently do not have enough 'fat' and subsequent fat hormones (Leptin and Insulin) to effectively manage by blood sugar. The low Omega 3 was significant as a deficiency cause both headaches/migraines, as well as muscle tension and pain. My CGM showed that during the night by blood sugar drops to 52-54 for extended periods of time - I am no where near a diabetic, but rather would be considered hypoglycemic. Doctors only appear to screen for diabetes and have never looked into whether I have blood sugar issues. Not maintaining a consistent blood sugar (minimal spikes and lows) combined with low Omega 3 is a key contributing factor for me. I wish doctors and Mayo would put some extra focus into these key biomarkers that are linked to migraines - I have been complaining that my muscles are constantly tight and painful and I see a Neurosomatic Therapist for muscle stripping that gently realigns my c-spine (through releasing knotted muscles) yet these basic biomarkers that contribute to muscle health have not been tested for by doctors (only inflammatory markers).

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Thank you! This is so helpful. I am finally deciding to do something about these debilitating barometric pressure sinus migraines.

Can you please share your Function Health leptin and Omega 3 #s? My insulin was 5.5, my leptin about the same, and they are testing me for Omega 3 next week. Every person is different, but all info is good.

Thank you again!

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3 replies
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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jun 21, 2025
In reply to @haank63 "Thank you! This is so helpful. I am finally deciding to do something about these debilitating..." + (show)
Profile picture for haank63 @haank63

Thank you! This is so helpful. I am finally deciding to do something about these debilitating barometric pressure sinus migraines.

Can you please share your Function Health leptin and Omega 3 #s? My insulin was 5.5, my leptin about the same, and they are testing me for Omega 3 next week. Every person is different, but all info is good.

Thank you again!

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Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @haank63. Sounds wise, if these barometric pressure sinus migraines are debilitating, to have them addressed. Kudos to you.

How do these migraines usually come on? Is there any specific trigger you've noted?

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1 reply
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mikayla | @mikaylar | Jun 21, 2025

I had neck surgery and it did not help my daily persistent headache for 6 years but I guess it depends on your neck and what is going on. Acupuncture and chiropractic did not help either. Now I am doing PT for the dizziness. She thinks my eyes are giving me the headache and my ears the dizziness. So, maybe explore PT????

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haank63 | @haank63 | Jun 22, 2025
In reply to @lisalucier "Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @haank63. Sounds wise, if these barometric pressure sinus migraines are debilitating,..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @haank63. Sounds wise, if these barometric pressure sinus migraines are debilitating, to have them addressed. Kudos to you.

How do these migraines usually come on? Is there any specific trigger you've noted?

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Weather changes in cold and wet weather and air quality alerts

Have had above the ear waviness since second round of COVID in Fall 2023, which was not bad at all.

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1 reply
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jun 23, 2025
In reply to @haank63 "Weather changes in cold and wet weather and air quality alerts Have had above the ear..." + (show)
Profile picture for haank63 @haank63

Weather changes in cold and wet weather and air quality alerts

Have had above the ear waviness since second round of COVID in Fall 2023, which was not bad at all.

Jump to this post

Thanks for this information, @haank63. Will you share more about the above the ear waviness?

REPLY
1 reply
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chell926 | @chell926 | Jun 24, 2025
In reply to @haank63 "Thank you! This is so helpful. I am finally deciding to do something about these debilitating..." + (show)
Profile picture for haank63 @haank63

Thank you! This is so helpful. I am finally deciding to do something about these debilitating barometric pressure sinus migraines.

Can you please share your Function Health leptin and Omega 3 #s? My insulin was 5.5, my leptin about the same, and they are testing me for Omega 3 next week. Every person is different, but all info is good.

Thank you again!

Jump to this post

Hi - my Leptin was at 2.7 and normal range for my BMI is above 4.7. My insulin was at 4.3 and my omega 3 total/omega check was at 4.4 and the low range was anything < 5.4.

I ordered Libre 3+ continuous glucose monitor (CGM) from diabetic warehouse and to my shock my glucose was dipping to 52-53 every night which is dangerously low. During the day my glucose was between 79-110 which is great.

I found that Andrew Huberman, Kacey Means and Peter Attia all put their trust in Carlson’s brand fish oil so I immediately got their Elite Omega 3 and I take 1 after breakfast and the other capsule after dinner. On day 2or3 I checked my CGM and I was no longer dipping at night. Low blood sugar at night can impact your sleep and cause very bad headaches. Low Omega has a long list of issues including headaches, dry skin, hair loss, and issues regulating blood sugar - just to name a few. I have already noticed a dramatic improvement in all of the above but the most impressive is how not my blood sugar is perfectly regulated from the Omega 3. My skin feels less dry and the severity of my headaches and migraines have decreased.

If you are taking anything that can thin your blood including NSAIDS, check your blood levels to make sure it’s not too thin as Omega 3 of >2,000mg can cause mild blood thinning. It can also exasperate irregular heart rhythms if you take more than 1,000mg at a single dose - this is why I split my dose to one after breakfast and one after dinner.

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chell926 | @chell926 | Jun 24, 2025
In reply to @haank63 "Thank you! This is so helpful. I am finally deciding to do something about these debilitating..." + (show)
Profile picture for haank63 @haank63

Thank you! This is so helpful. I am finally deciding to do something about these debilitating barometric pressure sinus migraines.

Can you please share your Function Health leptin and Omega 3 #s? My insulin was 5.5, my leptin about the same, and they are testing me for Omega 3 next week. Every person is different, but all info is good.

Thank you again!

Jump to this post

One other comment/info I wanted to share with you is you can download a barometric pressure app and migraine tracker called "Weather X" and the migraine tracker and insights comes from a subscription where you get these barometric pressure earplugs sent to you. I have just started using this so cannot say how effective they are just yet but I ordered the Weather X earplugs off Amazon so I could find the right size for me before doing the full subscription. Their earplugs have a ceramic filter in them that slow the pressure entering the ears and there are some great reviews about how the app notifies you ahead of pressure changes so you can pop the earplugs in. Similar to you, I will do whatever I can to better manage my migraines - I have been reading through the past 3 years of Migraine World Summit interviews and treatment lists which include both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments which has been very helpful in guiding me to the right supplements. Hang in there and you be disappointed in Function Health - their tests have so much explanation and insights that it felt like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

REPLY
1 reply
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haank63 | @haank63 | Jun 24, 2025
In reply to @chell926 "One other comment/info I wanted to share with you is you can download a barometric pressure..." + (show)
Profile picture for chell926 @chell926

One other comment/info I wanted to share with you is you can download a barometric pressure app and migraine tracker called "Weather X" and the migraine tracker and insights comes from a subscription where you get these barometric pressure earplugs sent to you. I have just started using this so cannot say how effective they are just yet but I ordered the Weather X earplugs off Amazon so I could find the right size for me before doing the full subscription. Their earplugs have a ceramic filter in them that slow the pressure entering the ears and there are some great reviews about how the app notifies you ahead of pressure changes so you can pop the earplugs in. Similar to you, I will do whatever I can to better manage my migraines - I have been reading through the past 3 years of Migraine World Summit interviews and treatment lists which include both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments which has been very helpful in guiding me to the right supplements. Hang in there and you be disappointed in Function Health - their tests have so much explanation and insights that it felt like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

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Thank you SO much! Just got my fasting insulin result back, and it went down to 4.9. I am awaiting my Omega3/6 results, but am getting back on my Carlson's regimen. This could be a complete game changer. Thanks too, for the earplug rec and suggestion of the Summit.

Here's to your good health!!

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haank63 | @haank63 | Jun 26, 2025
In reply to @lisalucier "Thanks for this information, @haank63. Will you share more about the above the ear waviness?" + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

Thanks for this information, @haank63. Will you share more about the above the ear waviness?

Jump to this post

Just a full head, and almost like a watery feeling, particularly in wet weather.

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