How to keep a migraine diary for your neurologist
Write down when each migraine starts and ends, how strong it is from 0 to 10, what came with it, what you took and whether it helped. Then bring a short summary rather than a pile of notes, so your neurologist can see the pattern in a minute.
Urgent first. If a headache is sudden and unlike your usual ones, or your doctor told you to watch for a specific warning sign, do not wait for the diary: contact them or emergency services straight away.
What to write down
- When: the date, the time it started, and roughly how long it lasted.
- How strong: from 0 (none) to 10 (worst).
- What came with it: for example nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, or visual changes.
- What was going on before: sleep, meals, stress, your cycle if relevant, anything you suspect.
- What you took, and whether it helped: name, dose and time.
- What it stopped you doing: work, school, family time. This often says more than the score.
A bad day: keep it to one sentence
When a migraine is at its worst, a long form is the last thing you want. A single line is enough: "Started 3 pm, 8 out of 10, nausea, took my usual medicine at 3:30, no better by 6." You can add detail later, or let an app turn a spoken sentence into a dated entry.
How long should I keep it before seeing a neurologist?
There is no single number that fits everyone. Ask your clinic how much they want to see, and bring what you have: even a few entries are better than none. A regular record over time shows patterns that one appointment cannot.
The summary to bring
The night before your appointment, fill in:
- Your worst migraines since last time, with dates.
- What changed (more or fewer, stronger or milder), and when.
- What you have tried and whether it helped.
- Your top 3 questions for the neurologist.
Questions you could ask
- What type of headache do you think this is, and what else needs ruling out?
- What should I do at the start of an attack, and what should I avoid?
- Which warning signs mean I should contact you straight away?
- How will we know whether a treatment is working?
Frequently asked questions
How do I get my doctor to take my migraines seriously?
Bring a dated record: how often, how strong, what you took and what it stopped you doing. A specific record is hard to dismiss. See how to be taken seriously.
Should I log mild headaches too?
Yes, if they are part of the picture. Mark them as mild so your neurologist can tell them apart.
Do I need an app?
No. A notebook works. An app can make entries quicker, for example by voice, and can prepare the summary for you.
For information only, not medical advice. Mima does not give medical advice and does not replace your care team. This page is for information only and is not medical advice.