Patient information from BMJ

Migraines: questions to ask your doctor

Last published:Sep 20, 2021

If you have been diagnosed with migraines, you may want to talk to your doctor to find out more. Here are some questions that you might want to ask.

Is there anything I can do to stop having these headaches?
My symptoms scare me. How do I know I'm not having a more serious problem, such as a stroke?
What can I do to stop a migraine once it starts? Are there treatments I can take when I know a migraine is starting but before the pain gets bad?
Is it alright to keep taking painkillers if my pain is bad most days?
Do I need tests to make sure there is not something else wrong with me?
What are the most common things that trigger migraines?
What's the best treatment for me? Are there any treatments that I can use to prevent migraines?
What are the side effects of treatment?
Will these treatments affect the other medicines I take?
Is there anything I can do to help myself?
Are there any treatments that are safe for pregnant women?

The patient information from BMJ Best Practice is regularly updated. The most recent version of Best Practice can be found at bestpractice.bmj.com. This information is intended for use by health professionals. It is not a substitute for medical advice. It is strongly recommended that you independently verify any interpretation of this material and, if you have a medical problem, see your doctor.

Please see BMJ's full terms of use at: bmj.com/company/legal-information. BMJ does not make any representations, conditions, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that this material is accurate, complete, up-to-date or fit for any particular purposes.

What did you think about this patient information guide?

Complete the online survey or scan the QR code to help us to ensure our content is of the highest quality and relevant for patients. The survey is anonymous and will take around 5 minutes to complete.

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer