WHEN TREATING A MIGRAINE, TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Migraines can be highly incapacitating, particularly when not addressed promptly. Delaying treatment might result in such severe pain that medication becomes ineffective, or you may experience nausea and vomiting, making it challenging to take your medication.

WHEN TO TAKE MEDICATION

Migraine attacks typically progress through the following stages:

  • Prodrome: This phase occurs hours to days before the headache and may include symptoms like sugar cravings, extreme fatigue, irritability, excessive yawning, and increased urination. Not all individuals experience this phase.

  • Auras: Some individuals, around 20% of migraine sufferers, may encounter visual disturbances, numbness, or speech difficulties up to one hour before the headache begins.

  • Migraine Attack: This is when the headache pain starts, often affecting one side of the head. It’s crucial to take medication during this phase before the pain intensifies.

  • Intense Pain Phase: In this phase, pain becomes severe and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light, noise, or smells. Delaying medication until this stage may reduce its effectiveness, or the nausea and vomiting may hinder its intake.

  • Resolution (or Postdrome): After the migraine attack, the pain and symptoms gradually subside. However, you may still feel drained, exhausted, or experience a “hungover” sensation.

KEEP A MIGRAINE DIARY

Keeping a migraine diary is a straightforward and valuable method for gaining insights into the progression of your migraine attacks. Make sure to record the following details in your diary:

  • Time of migraine onset and duration
  • Intensity of pain
  • Medication used, including its name, dosage, and effectiveness
  • Any symptoms experienced before the migraine attack
  • Potential triggering factors

By maintaining a migraine diary, you can work on identifying the specific triggers for your migraine attacks. Recognizing these triggers can be challenging as they may vary from one attack to another. Common triggers include insufficient sleep, irregular meal patterns, stress, menstrual cycles, dehydration, specific foods, and alcoholic beverages.

YOUR PHARMACIST IS THERE FOR YOU

If your current treatment is ineffective or is causing unwanted side effects, consult your pharmacist. They will assess your situation and propose solutions.

Ask your pharmacist for advice before taking medication for other types of pain, to ensure that it is compatible with your migraine medication.