February 19, 2025

3 Things to Tell Your Doctor About Your Migraine

Managing migraines can be overwhelming, which is why building a strong relationship with your doctor is essential. Your healthcare provider can help tailor treatments to your specific needs, but only if they have a complete picture of your symptoms and challenges. At your next visit, be sure to discuss these three important aspects of your migraine experience:

1. Increased Frequency or Severity of Symptoms
If your migraines are becoming more frequent or more intense, it’s a sign that your current treatment plan may not be working as effectively as it should. Migraines are more than just headaches—they can cause disabling pain, sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and touch, nausea, vomiting, and even visual disturbances known as auras.

If you experience:

Migraines more than 15 days per month (chronic migraine)
More severe symptoms, including longer-lasting attacks
Auras that have changed in duration, intensity, or frequency
Increased resistance to medications that used to work
Tell your doctor immediately. There are acute treatments designed to stop symptoms as they start and preventative options that can reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. These can include prescription medications, Botox injections, CGRP inhibitors, lifestyle modifications, and alternative therapies such as acupuncture or biofeedback. Keeping a migraine journal to track your symptoms, triggers, and medication effectiveness can help provide useful insights for your doctor.

2. Challenges Following Your Treatment Plan
Managing migraines requires consistency, but sticking to a treatment plan isn’t always easy. You may face side effects, forget doses, or find that your schedule makes it difficult to take medications as prescribed. If you’ve been skipping doses or avoiding treatment due to:

Unwanted side effects (drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, weight gain, etc.)
Difficulty remembering to take medications
Cost or accessibility issues
A lifestyle that makes adherence challenging
Be honest with your doctor. There’s no shame in struggling with a treatment plan—what’s important is finding a solution that works for you. Your doctor may adjust your medication, suggest alternative therapies, or recommend strategies such as medication reminders. They can also help identify lifestyle triggers such as dehydration, irregular sleep, or certain foods that may be making your migraines worse.

In some cases, non-medication treatments like dietary adjustments, stress management techniques, physical therapy, or supplements like magnesium and riboflavin may help reduce migraines and complement your existing regimen.

3. Mood Changes and Mental Health Concerns
Migraines don’t just affect you physically; they take a serious toll on your mental well-being. Studies show that people with migraines are five times more likely to experience depression and anxiety than those without the condition. The chronic nature of migraines, combined with their unpredictability, can lead to feelings of helplessness, frustration, and social isolation.

Common emotional symptoms to discuss with your doctor include:

Increased stress or anxiety about when the next migraine will occur
Depression, mood swings, or feelings of hopelessness
Fatigue or lack of motivation due to frequent migraine episodes
Avoidance of social activities or work responsibilities due to fear of migraines
Ignoring these emotional effects can make migraines worse, as stress and anxiety are common triggers. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available, including therapy, support groups, mindfulness techniques, and medications that can address both mood disorders and migraines. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and meditation techniques have been shown to reduce migraine frequency and severity by lowering stress levels.

Your doctor can refer you to mental health resources or recommend holistic approaches such as relaxation exercises, yoga, and breathing techniques that may improve your overall well-being. Seeking emotional support isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a proactive step toward improving both your mental and physical health.

The Importance of Open Communication
Living with migraines is challenging, but working closely with a doctor you trust can make all the difference. The more openly you communicate about your symptoms, treatment struggles, and emotional health, the better your doctor can help you manage your condition.

By discussing these three key areas—symptom severity, treatment adherence, and mental health—you take control of your migraine journey and improve your chances of living a more comfortable, fulfilling life.