Not all doctors are created equal and many don't understand how much pain a migraine can cause. If your headaches are that bad then I would get a second opinion with a good neurologist who specializes in migraines. Has anyone done a CT scan to make sure you do not have a severe sinus infection (or worse) that is being mistaken for a migraine? This happens a lot in the upper sinuses. You might not even feel "stuffy" but the pressure has built up.
Many sufferers (like me) find a lot of hidden triggers to our headaches. You need to keep a headache diary that starts from the time you wake up until you go to bed. I even had to write down when and how often I was waking up in the middle of the night, where I was when symptoms begain, what my activity was, what the exact symptoms were presenting, etc. It was enlightening. Many migraine sufferers have issues with smells during a migraine so I'd be cautious of the peppermint oil.
Here are a couple links to research more into migraines that might be helpful.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/migraine.cfm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/000709.htm
Maintenance medications are supposed to help reduce the number of migraines but may or may not work. Triptans (Imitrex) and ergots are being used a lot for immediate relief. What works for one person may not work for another. Don't dismiss a treatment that works because you "hear" things. Please don't get misled on the ergot thing. It is NOT LSD.
Many of the medications used for migraine are now in generic. For those that aren't, you might qualify for assistance (check with the pharmacist for programs).