Be an educated, empowered patient partner by learning all you can about your migraine or headache type and treatment options. Keep an open dialogue with your HCP and let him/her know how your treatment plan is working. But, if you don't find relief within a three month period, ask your HCP for a referral to a headache specialist. You can also use the Physician Finder feature at www.headaches.org.

Remember, making the call to schedule your appointment for for a specific diagnosis is the first step in determining your migraine or headache type and ultimately finding effective treatment.

NHF Suggestions to Helping Determine Your Headache Type:

• Keep a headache diary. Identifying patterns among migraine and headache triggers, timing, duration and pain level and location offers useful information to share with your healthcare professional to help determine the headache type you are dealing with.
• Educate yourself about headaches and migraines. Specific headache resources are available on the NHF Web site (www.headaches.org) to educate sufferers on possible headache types, symptoms, and potential treatment options.
• Educate yourself about treatment options--both medication and non-medication. Treatments can have varying results from patient to patient so it is important that a sufferer understands how each option may work for them on an individual basis.
• See your healthcare professional. Make an appointment to specifically discuss your head pain with your doctor.