Dealing with Dismissed Migraine Pain: Your Action Plan

Migraine is a common neurological disorder that affects women more, and yet only about half of those who suffer from it seek medical attention for the intense headaches. Most choose to suffer in silence and wait until it gets worse before getting help. What’s worse is that fewer people leave the doctor’s office with the right diagnosis and an effective treatment plan.

Experts suspect that gender bias plays a significant role in the misdiagnosis, underdiagnosis, and undertreatment of migraines. This is a problem that affects a lot of different groups and it needs to be addressed. 

Women, especially, need to be taken seriously when complaining about head pain. Regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, everyone should have their symptoms properly evaluated by a medical professional. This is important because a prescription for migraine-specific treatments may be necessary for effective relief.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Migraine 

Migraines are more than just headaches- they’re life-altering. It’s crucial that you communicate this to your doctor. And don’t use the term “headache” – instead, talk about “episodes” that render you unable to function for hours or even days. It’s important to stress to your doctor the many ways in which a migraine episode impacts your life beyond head pain:

• Feeling sick in the stomach or vomiting
• Increased sensitivity to light and sound
• Fatigue, inability to think clearly
• Painful skin

These symptoms can last for several hours or days, even after the migraine attack has subsided. You may also experience brain fog, skin pain, or light sensitivity between attacks. Be sure to share this information with your doctor so they understand the full extent of your symptoms.

Ask yourself these questions and share the answers with your doctor to give them a better understanding of your situation:

• Are your migraines affecting your work, causing missed days or early departures?
• Are they interfering with your studies or schoolwork?
• Do they prevent you from caring for your family during an attack?
• Are you struggling to be in a brightly lit office?
• Does light from your computer screen or phone cause discomfort?
• Are you experiencing feelings of depression or anxiety?

Advocate for Yourself and Educate Your Doctor 

Most medical providers know about migraines,

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