What to bring, how to describe your migraines and which questions to ask, so you leave your neurologist appointment with answers and a clear plan.
You waited weeks, maybe months, for this appointment. Then you're in the room, the clock is ticking, and somehow you forget half of what you wanted to say. On the way home you remember the important question you didn't ask.
A little preparation changes that. This checklist explains what to bring, how to describe your migraines clearly and which questions to ask, so you leave with answers and a plan.
In short: to prepare for a migraine appointment, bring a summary of your last two to three months (headache days, medicine days and how strong the attacks were), a list of every medicine you've tried and whether it helped, and three to five written questions. Describe how migraine affects your daily life, not just the pain. That information helps the doctor confirm the diagnosis and choose the next step with you.
Key takeaways
- Doctors diagnose migraine mainly from your description, so clear, specific information matters more than anything else you bring.
- The most useful numbers are headache days per month and days you took pain or migraine medicine.
- List every treatment you've tried, including the dose, how long you took it and why you stopped.
- Write down your top questions and ask the most important one first.
- Explain the impact: missed work, cancelled plans, days in bed. It helps the doctor understand how much migraine affects you.
What does a neurologist do for migraine?
A neurologist is a doctor who specialises in the brain and nervous system. Many people with migraine are looked after by their family doctor (GP), and that works well for a lot of them. A referral to a neurologist or a headache specialist usually happens when the diagnosis is unclear, attacks are frequent or getting worse, or treatments haven't helped.
At the appointment, the neurologist will usually:
- ask detailed questions about your headaches and your health history
- do a short physical and neurological examination (checking things like reflexes, balance, eye movements and strength)
- confirm or review the diagnosis
- talk through treatment options with you
Most people with migraine don't need a brain scan. As the NHS explains, there is no specific test for migraine, and the diagnosis is based on your symptoms and history. Doctors usually suggest a scan only if something in your story or examination points to another cause.
That's why your preparation matters so much: your account is the main evidence.
What to bring to a migraine appointment: the checklist
Print this list, or copy it into your phone notes.
1. A summary of your recent headaches
The single most useful thing you can bring is a short summary of the last two to three months:
- Headache days per month: how many days had any headache.
- Migraine attacks: roughly how many, and how many were severe.
- Typical length: a few hours, a whole day, or several days.
- Medicine days per month: how many days you took any painkiller or migraine medicine.
If you've kept a diary, this takes ten minutes to work out. If you haven't, our guide on how to keep a migraine diary shows you what to record and includes a free template. Even two or three weeks of notes before the appointment is better than memory alone.
2. A full list of medicines you've tried
Include everything, not just prescriptions:
- Acute medicines (taken during an attack): painkillers, anti-inflammatories, triptans or other migraine-specific tablets, anti-sickness medicines.
- Preventive medicines (taken every day to reduce how often attacks happen).
- Supplements such as magnesium or riboflavin (vitamin B2).
- Other regular medicines, including contraception or hormone therapy.
For each one, note the dose, how long you took it, whether it helped and why you stopped, for example side effects or no improvement. "I tried something for a while and it didn't work" is hard to act on. "[Medicine name] 40 mg twice a day for six weeks, slight improvement, stopped because of tiredness" tells the doctor exactly where you are.
3. A description of a typical attack
Doctors use a set of features to recognise migraine. They come from the International Classification of Headache Disorders, the global reference for headache diagnosis. You'll help most by describing:
- Where it hurts: one side, both sides, behind the eye, the back of the head.
- What it feels like: throbbing (pulsing), pressing, stabbing.
- How strong it is, and whether moving around makes it worse.
- Other symptoms: nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound or smells.
- Aura: any visual or sensory changes before or during the pain, such as zigzag lines, blind spots or tingling in the hand or face. Say how long the aura lasts.
- Warning signs and aftermath: symptoms hours before the pain (yawning, cravings, a stiff neck) and how you feel afterwards (tired, foggy, the so-called "migraine hangover").
4. Anything that has changed
Changes matter. Mention it if your headaches have recently become more frequent, stronger or different, if you have a new type of headache, or if something new is happening in your life, such as pregnancy, menopause, a new medicine or a big change in sleep or work.
5. Your personal and family history
- When your headaches started (childhood, teens, adulthood).
- Whether parents, brothers or sisters have migraine. Migraine often runs in families.
- Any other health conditions, such as high blood pressure, anxiety, depression or sleep problems.
6. How migraine affects your life
This is the part people most often leave out, and one of the most important. Be specific:
- days of work or school missed in the last three months
- days when you went but couldn't function well
- plans, family events or exercise you've cancelled
- how you feel between attacks, for example worrying about the next one
The World Health Organization recognises migraine as one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. You're not exaggerating by explaining its impact. It helps the doctor understand how much treatment you need.
Questions to ask your neurologist about migraine
Write your questions down and put the most important one first, in case time runs short. Choose the ones that fit you:
About the diagnosis
- Is this definitely migraine? Could there be another type of headache too?
- Is my migraine episodic or chronic, and what does that mean for me?
- Do I need any tests? Why, or why not?
About treatment during an attack
- Am I taking my attack medicine at the right time and dose?
- Is there a different medicine I could try if this one doesn't work well enough?
- How many days a month is it safe for me to take pain medicine?
About prevention
- Would a preventive treatment make sense for me?
- How long would it take to know whether it's working?
- What are the common side effects, and what should I do if I get them?
About daily life
- Are there lifestyle changes worth trying for me, such as sleep, meals or exercise?
- Is my migraine linked to my menstrual cycle, and does that change anything?
- What should I do if an attack doesn't respond to my usual treatment?
About next steps
- When should I come back, and what should I record until then?
- Which symptoms mean I should get help sooner?
How to describe migraine to a doctor (when you're nervous)
Many people play down their symptoms in the consulting room. You might be feeling fine on the day, or not want to seem dramatic. A few tips:
- Use numbers, not adjectives. "Eight headache days last month, three of them in bed" is clearer than "quite a lot".
- Describe your worst attacks, not your average day. The doctor needs to know the full range.
- Be honest about medicine use, even if you've been taking more than you'd like. It isn't a judgement; it's essential information.
- Bring someone with you if it helps. A partner, friend or family member can take notes and remember details.
- Ask for clarification. If you hear a word you don't understand, ask what it means. A good doctor will be glad you did.
What to expect after the appointment
You may leave with a confirmed diagnosis, a new or adjusted treatment, advice to keep a diary, or a follow-up appointment. Preventive treatments usually need several weeks to a few months before you can judge whether they help. UK guidance from NICE suggests reviewing treatment after a set period, which is why keeping records until your next visit is so useful.
Before you leave, check that you know:
- what to take during an attack, how much, and how many days a month at most
- whether to start anything new, and when
- when your next appointment is
- what to record until then
Never stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.
When not to wait for your appointment
Some headaches need urgent attention, whatever your appointment date. Seek medical help straight away (in Europe, call 112) if you have:
- a sudden, very severe headache that reaches full strength within about a minute
- a headache with fever, a stiff neck, a rash or confusion
- a headache after a head injury
- new weakness, numbness, drooping of the face or difficulty speaking
- aura that lasts more than an hour or is different from your usual aura
- a new headache that is getting steadily worse, especially if you're over 50, pregnant or have recently given birth
Frequently asked questions
How long is a typical neurologist appointment for migraine? It varies by country and clinic, but often 15 to 45 minutes. That's why bringing a written summary and your questions saves so much time.
Should I go to the appointment during a migraine? If you can manage it safely, yes. The doctor may learn something useful from seeing your symptoms. If you're too unwell to travel, call the clinic to rearrange.
Do I need a referral to see a neurologist? In many European countries, including Spain and the UK, you usually see your family doctor first, who can refer you if needed. Private clinics may not need a referral.
What if I don't have a migraine diary? Start one today, even if your appointment is next week. Then add your best estimate for the previous months, and tell the doctor it's an estimate.
Will the neurologist send me for a scan? Usually not. Scans are used when something in your history or examination suggests a different cause. Ask your doctor to explain their reasoning either way.
Walk in prepared, walk out with a plan
A neurologist appointment is short, but it can change a lot. Bring your numbers, your medicine list and your questions, and be honest about how migraine affects your life.
If keeping records feels like a chore, that's exactly the problem we're solving with MIGMO: log a migraine in four taps and turn your records into a one-page report your doctor can read in a minute. It's available now on the App Store and Google Play. Read more guides on the MIGMO blog, or tell us what you'd like us to write about next.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your symptoms and before changing any medicine.
General information, not medical advice. It doesn’t replace a doctor’s assessment.