Who Do You Talk To About Meds?
When you’re dealing with migraine, medications can feel like both a lifeline and a mystery. You’re handed a new prescription or an over-the-counter suggestion, and suddenly you’re swimming in questions: What exactly does this do? Can I take it with my other meds? Why does the label say it might cause dizziness - don’t I already have that?
So, where do you turn when you need answers?
Start with your prescribing doctor. Ideally, this is someone who knows your medical history and can explain why they chose this particular treatment, what it’s meant to do, and how to take it safely. They should also let you know what side effects to expect, and what side effects mean something’s not right. But the truth is, you may not get all the answers you need in one appointment. Sometimes you leave with more questions than you walked in with, or new concerns pop up days later.
That’s when your pharmacist becomes your next best resource. Pharmacists are highly trained in medication interactions, timing, side effects, and safety. They can tell you whether it’s okay to take a new prescription with your supplements, whether you should take it with food or on an empty stomach, and what to do if you miss a dose. They’re often easier to reach than your doctor, and they can be a huge help when you’re feeling unsure.
It’s also natural to want to do your own research. But be careful—online searches can lead to unnecessary panic or conflicting advice. If you’re going to look something up, stick to trusted medical websites like Mayo Clinic, MedlinePlus.gov, or Drugs.com. Many pharmacy websites also have detailed, easy-to-understand medication guides. Just remember, the internet should support your decisions, not scare you away from asking real people for help. Note: These sites are helpful for learning more, but they don’t replace medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation.
And what about peer advice—friends, migraine communities, or online forums? That kind of lived experience can be incredibly validating. Sometimes it's reassuring just to know someone else had the same side effect, or that you’re not the only one who felt nervous trying a new medication. But it's also important to remember that what works for someone else may not work for you. Community support is wonderful, but medical advice needs to come from professionals.
So, when you’re staring at a label or dealing with a side effect you didn’t expect, you deserve answers that make sense. Ask your doctor. Talk to your pharmacist. Look things up if it helps, but be selective. And most of all, trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right or if you’re not being heard, it’s okay to keep asking questions until you are.
You have every right to understand what you’re taking and why. That’s not being difficult—it’s being informed. And that’s a form of self-advocacy that matters more than most people realize.
Take the Guesswork Out of Migraine
When you live with migraine, tracking your symptoms might sound like one more exhausting task to add to your already full plate. But finding a simple, consistent way to track what’s going on with your body can help you spot patterns, make informed decisions, and feel more in control of your care.
You don’t need to become a data analyst to get results. You just need to capture the details that matter most, consistently enough to be useful, but not overwhelming.
Think of tracking like shining a flashlight into a dark room. You might know something's in there, but without light, you're guessing.
When you track consistently—even just the basics—you’re more likely to recognize your migraine patterns, catch triggers before they derail your day, understand what helps (and what doesn’t), and/or bring useful info to your doctor without relying on a sometimes fuzzy memory.
You can keep it simple. Here’s a good place to start:
Date and time symptoms began
Phase of the migraine (prodrome, aura, headache, postdrome)
Severity (1–10 scale or mild/moderate/severe)
Location/type of pain
Other symptoms (like nausea, dizziness, speech issues, sensitivity to light, sound, or smells)
Medications taken (and whether they helped)
Sleep, stress, and food intake (if those are possible triggers for you)
Start small and build as needed. If all you do at first is write down when an attack starts and ends, that’s still valuable.
You have options to track - some people love the simplicity of a migraine journal or a printable tracker. Keep it at your bedside or in your bag for easy access. Apps like Migraine Buddy, N1-Headache, or Migraine Insight make it easier to track symptoms, triggers, meds, and sleep - all in one place. Some even let you download reports to share with your doctor. Even a simple daily mental check-in can help: Did I have any symptoms today? What seemed to affect me? Use your phone’s notes app or voice memos if writing is hard during an attack.
There’s no one “right” way to track migraine. It just needs to work for you. Start with a few basics, be consistent, and use what you learn to advocate for better care - and more peace of mind.