Migraines are complex. It can be challenging living with migraine. However, an effective relationship with your doctor can help ease this difficulty. The key to any good relationship is open communication. It will not only help strengthen your relationship with the doctor but also make your journey easy to navigate.
1. Open and Honest Communication
Never be shy or reluctant to share your complete information. Remember, transparency is the key. The more elaborative and clear you are, the better picture the doctor will have. It will help in a better-customized treatment plan. Keep all the information ready. Be prepared to ask and answer all the questions that may arise. Trust your gut when you meet the doctor. Observe their tone, behaviour, and whether they are making you feel heard and respected.
2. Active Participation
The most essential document you must have is a “migraine diary“. It must have the following information:
- Your first migraine, how often you have and when it started (migraine diary)
- The type of pain (throbbing, pounding, stabbing, sharp, constant or persistent)
- What triggers it or makes it worse
- Your family history/and if any recent life experience led to it
- How often do you have in a month
- How long does the episode last
- What is the intensity
- After the episode ends, does any symptom linger on
- All the medicines you are taking and how long
- Are you able to continue with your daily life chores with it
- Any radiological exam like brain CT or MRI you had recently or in past
3. Ask The Follow-up Questions
Be open to asking follow-up questions after the consultation. It will help clear confusion and show your interest in the treatment. You can ask any of these questions:
- What medicine should I take
- Will there be any side effect
- How long should I take my medicines
- How will I know if they are working
- What if the condition doesn’t improve after taking medicines
- What should I avoid to prevent the worsening of migraine
- Are there any non-medical treatments that can help me
- Do you recommend any diet or lifestyle changes?
- Are there any further tests required
- Will I be able to get rid of migraine
- When should I come for a follow-up
4. Follow-up and set goals
You may require follow-up visits. Migraine is not a one-sitting treatment. Following up with a doctor is essential. Team up with your doctor to set up a plan. On each visit, it is necessary to track the improvement and adjust medicines accordingly. A collaborative relationship with the doctor can make a big difference. You can be your advocate by gathering all the necessary information, conducting research on various treatment options, and maintaining open communication with your consultant.
Take control of your migraine journey. With a proactive, trustworthy and informed consultation, a frustrating migraine journey can be a more relieved one.
Our specialists at Headache, Migraine & Concussion Centre are committed to working closely with our patients to help them learn more about their condition and find effective long-term solutions.
