Migraine

Stroke is an extremely rare complication from severe migraines. This risk may be due to prolonged narrowing of the blood vessels, limiting blood flow to parts of the brain for an extended period of time.

Calling your health care provider:

Call 911 if:

You have unusual symptoms not experienced with a migraine before, like speech or vision problems, loss of balance, or difficulty moving a limb
You are experiencing "the worst headache of your life"

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Call your doctor immediately if:

Your headache pattern or intensity is different
Your headache gets worse when you lie down

Also, call your doctor if:

Previously effective treatments no longer help
Side effects from medication occurs (irregular heartbeat, pale or blue skin, extreme sleepiness, persistent cough, depression, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, cramps, dry mouth, extreme thirst, or others)
You are likely to become pregnant -- some medications should not be taken when pregnant

References:

Morantz C. Practice Guideline Briefs. Am Fam Physician. Mar 2005; 71(5); 1019-899.

Schroeder BM . AAFP/ACP-ASIM release guidelines on the management and prevention of migraines. Am Fam Physician. Mar 2003; 67(6): 1392, 1395-7.

Noble J, ed. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2001.

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen?s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2002.

Goetz CG, Pappert EJ. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2003.