I THINK I HAVE CHRONIC MIGRAINE
If you're experiencing frequent headaches, you could be living with chronic migraine.
If you’re living with chronic migraine you’re experiencing:
15
Or more days of headaches each month (also called headache days), including . . .
08
Or more days of headaches that have features of migraines each month . . .
FOR 3
Or more months
If you have chronic migraine, you’re not alone. 4.9 million people in Australia suffer from migraine. 71% of migraine sufferers are women and 86% are of working age. The overall prevalence of chronic migraine in Australia is 7.61%.
Because chronic migraine can be difficult to diagnose, it’s important to tell your doctor about the number and the nature of the headaches you’re experiencing. There are simple tools that can help. Check out the Identifying Chronic Migraine Screener below.
Migraines are headaches that:
- Are usually moderate to severe in intensity
- Are throbbing or pulsating
- Often occur on one side of the head
- Can be accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting, and sensitivity to light and/or sound
- Can get worse by routine physical activity (such as walking or climbing stairs)
- Can be associated with changes in vision or hearing (also known as aura)
- Can last from 4 hours to 3 days
The exact cause of migraines is unknown. Scientists believe that genetics, environmental factors, changes in the brain, and imbalances in brain chemicals may play a role. Because chronic migraine can be difficult to diagnose, it’s important to tell your doctor about the number and the nature of the headaches you’re experiencing. There are simple tools that can help. Check out the Identifying Chronic Migraine Screener below.
IDENTIFYING CHRONIC MIGRAINE (ID-CM) SCREENER
The ID-CM Screener can help your doctor confirm if you have Chronic Migraine.
A completed ID-CM Screener can provide your doctor with key information to help make a diagnosis and to identify a treatment plan that’s right for you. Complete the Screener and share the results with your doctor.
While the results of this screener may suggest you have chronic migraine, they do not replace a diagnosis from a qualified healthcare professional. It’s very important to discuss the results with your doctor.
It can be difficult to remember specific details about headaches and migraines you have experienced weeks or months ago. Learn about tracking your headaches with the easy-to-use Headache Diary below.
The ID-CM Screener is a screening tool based on the migraine criteria as defined by medical experts. It consists of a series of questions about your headache symptoms and frequency, medication use, and the impact of your headaches on your daily life. Your answers can help your doctor assess if you have chronic migraine.
HEADACHE DIARY
The Headache Diary can help you and your doctor better understand your headache patterns.
This tool provides your doctor with important information about your condition, including:
- The number and severity of your heachaches
- Your migraine triggers
- The type and amount of over-the-counter and/or prescription medications you may be using
Now that you’re equipped with tools to help your doctor better understand your condition, you may have questions about treatment. Whether you’re considering treatment or have already tried some medications, you may have more options than you think.
To begin tracking your headaches, download the diary. Complete it every day, as accurately as possible, noting every headache, no matter how mild. Take the diary with you to each of your doctor’s appointments and share the details with your doctor.
TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR
Talking to your doctor is an important step toward finding a treatment that's right for you.
If you think you have chronic migraine, your doctor can help diagnose your condition and find ways to manage it.
Talk to your doctor about finding a treatment that’s right for you. If you’re currently not seeing a specialist and you think you could benefit from one, find a specialist and ask your family doctor for a referral.
To learn more about chronic migraine, explore Frequently Asked Questions.
To get an important conversation started about your condition and available treatments, take your completed ID-CM Screener and the Headache Diary to your next doctor’s appointment. With the information from these tools, your doctor and you can together decide on the best course of treatment, which may include preventative and acute medications in addition to simple lifestyle changes.