Might Have Migraine? What to Expect During a Headache Visit With Your Doctor
Suspect you have migraine but haven’t been diagnosed? Learn how to talk to your doctor, what to prepare, and what to expect during your appointment.
Article Summary
Preparing ahead can help make talking to your doctor about migraine easier.
- Document symptoms, triggers, and medication in a headache diary
- Review your headache diary with your doctor during the appointment
- Clear communication during your visit can help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis
- Continue tracking symptoms and follow recommendations post-appointment
Article Index
Migraine is more than a bad headache—it’s a serious neurological disease that can be disabling. Yet, despite its widespread impact, many individuals experiencing migraine symptoms have never received a formal diagnosis and may not be aware that there are management strategies available.
If you’ve been dealing with recurring headaches, or headaches combined with light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, nausea, or other symptoms, it might be time to talk to your doctor about migraine.
Starting the conversation may feel overwhelming, but preparing ahead can help make your visit easier and more efficient. Here’s how to approach your doctor’s visit, what to expect, and how to advocate for yourself along the way.
What to Prepare Before Your Appointment
The more information you can share with your doctor, the better your doctor can understand what you’re experiencing. Preparation is key.
Start a Headache Diary
Before your appointment, you can begin to track your headaches in a diary. Note when they occur, how often they occur, how long they last, what they feel like, the intensity of head pain, and any possible triggers.
Migraine can present in many ways, so it’s important to track symptoms that may seem unrelated to headaches. Even if you don’t have a headache on a particular day, make sure to document any symptoms, even those that may seem unrelated to headaches.
Include details like:
- Date of headache
- Time of day
- Duration
- Any medication taken
- Type of head pain (eg, throbbing, sharp, pressure)
- Intensity of pain (eg, mild, moderate, severe, or a 1 to 10 scale)
- Visual disturbances (eg, flashing lights, blind spots)
- Any warning signs or strange sensations (eg, seeing dots in your vision, feeling a tingling or numbness sensation)
- Other symptoms (eg, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light/sound, dizziness or vertigo, difficulty speaking or concentrating, mood changes, fatigue, neck pain or stiffness, anxiety)
Note the examples included are for illustrative purposes only. There may be other, more accurate ways to describe your personal experiences.
A detailed headache diary can help your doctor identify patterns that may be more associated with migraine than other types of headache disorders.
Recording this information daily helps identify patterns to better understand the frequency and nature of your headaches.
Migraine is more than a bad headache—it’s a serious neurological disease that can be disabling.
Gather Medication and Supplement History
Make a list of all medications you’re currently taking—even those unrelated to headache pain—as well as any supplements or vitamins. This information is important because some medications may play a role in triggering or worsening migraine attacks and doctors need to be aware of possible drug interactions.
Knowing how often you take headache medication for pain can also help your doctor rule out medication-overuse headache, a type of headache that results from the frequent use of medication to treat headaches, and typically occurs when pain relievers are taken more frequently over an extended period.
Know Your Medical and Family History
Migraine is often accompanied by other medical conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or hormonal imbalances. A family history of migraine can also increase your likelihood of developing migraine. It can be helpful to provide any relevant information regarding personal or family medical history. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on becoming pregnant, this information can further help your doctor consider safe medical care.
What to Expect During the Appointment
Being prepared can help you feel more confident. Here’s how the conversation might go—and how you can participate fully.
Describe Your Headaches Clearly
Your doctor will likely ask questions such as:
- When did your headaches start?
- How often do they happen?
- What does the pain feel like?
- How severe is the pain?
- Do you experience symptoms before or after?
Be as specific as possible. Use your headache diary as a reference to help provide detailed answers.
Discuss Triggers and Lifestyle Factors
Common migraine triggers include, but are not limited to, stress, irregularity in sleep patterns, hormonal changes, weather changes, and certain foods. It’s important to be aware and take note of any patterns in how your body reacts to different situations or environments.
Questions to expect:
- Do you notice headaches after specific foods or smells?
- Are headaches triggered by changes in sleep or weather?
- For women, do your headaches happen around your menstrual cycle?
Information like this can help your doctor determine between a migraine diagnosis or if the headache is due to an underlying cause.
Review Your Headache Diary Together
It is important to review your headache diary with your doctor to highlight key trends or patterns regarding your migraine symptoms. This can assist in creating a personalized migraine management strategy that works best for you.
Discuss Medication and Treatment History
You can expect your doctor to ask:
- What are you currently taking to treat or prevent headache pain?
- Have over-the-counter medications helped?
- Have you had any side effects??
Discussing your medication and treatment history with your doctor can help ensure that they have the necessary information to make an informed migraine diagnosis, if applicable.
Rule Out Other Conditions
To rule out other possible causes of headache pain, your doctor will typically perform physical and neurological exams during your appointment.
Explain How It Impacts Your Life
Migraine can interfere with daily life. Tell your doctor if you have headaches that affect your work, relationships, or ability to function. This can offer a clearer understanding of the severity of your symptoms, aiding in an accurate diagnosis and optimal support.
Tips to Ensure Your Appointment Goes Well
- Be Prepared: Think about your goals and expectations ahead of time, to make the best use of time spent with your doctor.
- Be Honest: Don’t be afraid to be open and honest about the severity of your headache pain with your doctor. Accurate information is essential.
- Ask Questions: If you don’t fully understand something, ask your doctor to further explain. It’s okay to ask, “Could this be migraine?”
- Take Notes: Jot down key points or ask your doctor if it’s okay to record the visit for your personal review later.
- Advocate for Yourself: You know your body best, so it’s important to advocate for yourself and speak up.
- Bring a Support Person: If you’re nervous, bring someone who can help explain your symptoms or just be there to support you.
What to Do After the Appointment
Getting a possible diagnosis is just the beginning. Here are some next steps to help you stay on track with your health goals:
Follow Your Doctor’s Recommendations
If your doctor suggests lab tests, imaging, or a referral to a headache specialist, follow through. These steps may help rule out other conditions and can provide a better understanding of your current condition.
Monitor Your Progress
Continue tracking symptoms even after the appointment. This helps measure how things evolve and whether any changes, such as those related to lifestyle, diet, or stress reduction, may have an impact.
Schedule Follow-Up Appointments
It’s possible that a diagnosis may not be reached during your first visit. Follow-up appointments are valuable as they provide your doctor with more information and time to thoroughly investigate your symptoms and work toward an accurate diagnosis.
Communicate Any Changes
Keep your doctor informed about new symptoms, medication side effects, or any worsening of your condition.
Seek Support
Living with migraine symptoms—even without a diagnosis—can be isolating. Support groups, online forums, or counseling can be helpful resources to share experiences and feel understood.
However, it’s important to be cautious about misinformation online. Misconceptions about migraine can lead to ineffective treatments and misunderstandings about the condition. Always consult healthcare professionals for accurate information and guidance.
Remember: Your Voice Matters
If you’ve been struggling with symptoms that feel like more than “just a headache,” you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Migraine is often underdiagnosed. Your experience is valid, and working with your doctor to understand your symptoms is an important step toward getting answers and finding relief.
So don’t wait. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms, ask the important questions, and take the first step toward understanding your health. You deserve care—and it starts with a conversation.
This article is just the beginning. Dive deeper into how this condition is treated and what might be right for you.
Poll
What most often triggers your migraine?
- Stress
- Hormonal changes
- Certain foods
- Sleep disruption
- Screen time / eye strain
You selected “text,” and you’re not alone.
“text” a common trigger for migraine attacks. Learn about other triggers and how you can manage them.
References
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Migraine aura: what is it, symptoms, causes & treatments. Cleveland Clinic. Last reviewed November 25, 2021. Accessed April 7, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22131-migraine-aura
Pavlović JM. Evaluation and management of migraine in midlife women. Menopause. 2018;25(8):927-929.
Pescador Ruschel MA, De Jesus O. Migraine headache. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2025. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560787/
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The true pain of migraine misconceptions. American Migraine Foundation. April 30, 2023. Accessed April 18, 2025. https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/the-true-pain-of-migraine-misconceptions
Vestibular migraine. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed April 4, 2025. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/vestibular-migraine
What is migraine? American Migraine Foundation. January 21, 2021. Accessed April 7, 2025. https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/what-is-migraine
What medications are commonly linked to headache? American Migraine Foundation. April 12, 2023. Accessed April 7, 2025. https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/medications-linked-to-headache