can I assume that this is 'not' a frequent occurence?
I used to suffer on a flight in one direction and not in the other. For example, I went to Basle one day with no problems. On return the next day, at about 100' coming into Heathrow, I suddenly felt this excruciating pain above my eyes. I suspect that it is a lot to do with the ROD and the altitude of the airfield. Other times I have suffered in the descent at quite moderate altitudes, possible because of a high ROD. On a flight to India I suffered during the first descent into Dahran, slightly on the next one into Dubai and not at all going into Bombay. On the return journey a month later I had no probelms at all.
The main thing is that decongestants solve the problem. I haven't had a problem now for over twenty years although I have often flown with a cold.