Why Should I Keep a Migraine Record?

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2 Why Should I Keep a Migraine Record? A trigger is the name for the thing, or things, that can start a migraine. Everyone's triggers are different! So it is up to you to find out yours. The best way to do this is to keep a migraine record! Write down everything you can think of about the day of your migraine attack and maybe a day or two before. Take note of what you ate, the weather, how many hours sleep you got, if there was anything happening at school (like a test) or if you were going to a birthday party or on a trip. If you keep your diary for 3 or 4 migraine attacks you might start to see that the same things happen every time you get a migraine. Maybe it comes every time you have a fizzy drink or every time you play your computer games for more than 2 hours! Here is a list of triggers for many young people with migraine: Too much or too little sleep Too much time in front of a TV or computer Too much exercise or not enough Changes in the weather Stress at school or at home (this can be good stress too - like being excited at Christmas or on holiday) Fizzy drinks, junk food and other foods (keep track in your diary!) Missing meals You can also use your migraine record to take note of the number of attacks you get. Your doctor will want to know about what happens during the attack - the symptoms. You can also use it to keep track of how much medication you are taking and if it is working. So make sure you take it with you when you visit your doctor next. Don't forget to ask for help in filling out your record a parent, teacher or friend might remember something you don't!

3 About Me My name is: I am years old. I live in: I have migraine. When I get an attack I feel: My attacks last about To treat my attacks, I

4 Attack 1 Date: My migraine started at and finished at. Before it started, I felt During The Attack Answer the questions below. If the answer is yes, put a in the box. If the answer is no, put a in the box. The light hurt my eyes Everything sounded too loud..... How bad did your head hurt? Draw a circle around the face below... I had a tummy ache I was sick It was hard to move my head..... I saw shapes in front of my eyes... My head hurt Anything else?

5 Triggers Let's try to find out what might be triggering your migraine The night before the migraine I went to bed at and got up at. Before my attack I ate: [BREAKFAST] [LUNCH] [DINNER] [SNACKS] [DRINKS] In the 48 hours before my attack, I watched hours of TV and played for hours on the computer. I played sports and exercised for hours. Describe your emotions before the attack (were you busy at school, worried, excited about something, tired, hungry ) Can you think of any other triggers? To stop the attack I If you took medication: What did you take and when? How long did it take before you felt better?

6 Attack 2 Date: My migraine started at and finished at. Before it started, I felt During The Attack Answer the questions below. If the answer is yes, put a in the box. If the answer is no, put a in the box. The light hurt my eyes Everything sounded too loud..... How bad did your head hurt? Draw a circle around the face below... I had a tummy ache I was sick It was hard to move my head..... I saw shapes in front of my eyes... My head hurt Anything else?

7 Triggers Let's try to find out what might be triggering your migraine The night before the migraine I went to bed at and got up at. Before my attack I ate: [BREAKFAST] [LUNCH] [DINNER] [SNACKS] [DRINKS] In the 48 hours before my attack, I watched hours of TV and played for hours on the computer. I played sports and exercised for hours. Describe your emotions before the attack (were you busy at school, worried, excited about something, tired, hungry ) Can you think of any other triggers? To stop the attack I If you took medication: What did you take and when? How long did it take before you felt better?

8 Attack 3 Date: My migraine started at and finished at. Before it started, I felt During The Attack Answer the questions below. If the answer is yes, put a in the box. If the answer is no, put a in the box. The light hurt my eyes Everything sounded too loud..... How bad did your head hurt? Draw a circle around the face below... I had a tummy ache I was sick It was hard to move my head..... I saw shapes in front of my eyes... My head hurt Anything else?

9 Triggers Let's try to find out what might be triggering your migraine The night before the migraine I went to bed at and got up at. Before my attack I ate: [BREAKFAST] [LUNCH] [DINNER] [SNACKS] [DRINKS] In the 48 hours before my attack, I watched hours of TV and played for hours on the computer. I played sports and exercised for hours. Describe your emotions before the attack (were you busy at school, worried, excited about something, tired, hungry ) Can you think of any other triggers? To stop the attack I If you took medication: What did you take and when? How long did it take before you felt better?

10 Attack 4 Date: My migraine started at and finished at. Before it started, I felt During The Attack Answer the questions below. If the answer is yes, put a in the box. If the answer is no, put a in the box. The light hurt my eyes Everything sounded too loud..... How bad did your head hurt? Draw a circle around the face below... I had a tummy ache I was sick It was hard to move my head..... I saw shapes in front of my eyes... My head hurt Anything else?

11 Triggers Let's try to find out what might be triggering your migraine The night before the migraine I went to bed at and got up at. Before my attack I ate: [BREAKFAST] [LUNCH] [DINNER] [SNACKS] [DRINKS] In the 48 hours before my attack, I watched hours of TV and played for hours on the computer. I played sports and exercised for hours. Describe your emotions before the attack (were you busy at school, worried, excited about something, tired, hungry ) Can you think of any other triggers? To stop the attack I If you took medication: What did you take and when? How long did it take before you felt better?

12 Attack 5 LAST RECORD: MAKE SURE YOU PHOTOCOPY! Date: My migraine started at and finished at. Before it started, I felt During The Attack Answer the questions below. If the answer is yes, put a in the box. If the answer is no, put a in the box. The light hurt my eyes Everything sounded too loud..... How bad did your head hurt? Draw a circle around the face below... I had a tummy ache I was sick It was hard to move my head..... I saw shapes in front of my eyes... My head hurt Anything else?

13 Triggers Let's try to find out what might be triggering your migraine The night before the migraine I went to bed at and got up at. Before my attack I ate: [BREAKFAST] [LUNCH] [DINNER] [SNACKS] [DRINKS] In the 48 hours before my attack, I watched hours of TV and played for hours on the computer. I played sports and exercised for hours. Describe your emotions before the attack (were you busy at school, worried, excited about something, tired, hungry ) Can you think of any other triggers? To stop the attack I If you took medication: What did you take and when? How long did it take before you felt better?

14 My Record I have kept my migraine record for attacks. I know an attack is coming when: I think my triggers might be: To stop the attacks, I will follow this plan: Signed: Date:

15 MIGRAINE ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND Address: Unit 14, Block 5 Port Tunnel Business Park Clonshaugh, Dublin / info@migraine.ie Helpline: (ROI)/ (NI) Specialist Nurse Advice Line: This booklet was developed by the Migraine Association of Ireland and sponsored by a National Lottery grant from the Department of Health

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