Migraine Management Starts Here: A Migraine Discussion Guide to Prepare for Your PCP Appointment
Migraine is a complex neurological disease that varies in frequency, severity, and impact, making it a highly individual experience. With the right support and treatment plan, you can reduce migraine-related disability and improve your quality of life. Our Migraine Discussion Guide helps you prepare for your next appointment with your primary care provider (PCP) and ensures key concerns are addressed. By preparing in advance and engaging in shared decision-making, you can play an active role in shaping your care and achieving better health outcomes.
With this guide, you’ll be able to:
- Come Prepared – Track your symptoms, document their impact on daily activities, and clearly define your treatment goals.
- Explore Treatment Options – Understand available therapies and work with your PCP to build a plan that fits your needs.
- Ask the Right Questions – Lead more informed discussions and ensure your concerns are addressed.
Take control of your migraine care with better communication and personalized collaborative planning.
Contents:
Purpose of the Guide: Helps patients communicate effectively with their primary care provider (PCP) and plan for migraine management.
Migraine Tracking: Emphasizes using a diary or app to track symptoms, triggers, and medication effectiveness.
Identifying Migraine: Describes common symptoms (e.g., nausea, light sensitivity) and outlines migraine phases (prodrome, aura, headache, postdrome).
Assessing Impact: Includes tools to evaluate how migraine affects daily life (work, sleep, social/family activities).
Treatment Goals: Encourages patients to set realistic, functional goals (e.g., fewer headache days, better quality of life).
Red Flags: Lists serious symptoms that require emergency care (e.g., sudden severe headache, vision loss, fever).
Medication Review: Provides space to list current treatments, side effects, frequency of use, and satisfaction.
Treatment Pathways:
- Lifestyle and Trigger Management
- Acute Medications (e.g., NSAIDs, triptans, gepants)
- Preventive Medications (e.g., beta-blockers, anti-CGRP treatments)
- Neuromodulation Devices (e.g., Cefaly, Gammacore)
- Alternative Treatments (e.g., CBT, acupuncture, mindfulness)
Treatment Plan Template: Helps patients build a personalized care plan across medication and lifestyle approaches.
Follow-Up Questions: Includes discussion prompts for future PCP visits, including mental health, support systems, insurance coverage, and referrals.
Click below to Access the Discussion Guide in French.
Cliquez ci-dessous pour accéder au guide de discussion en français.
