A new way to get effective migraine treatment

Migraines are more than just a bad headache. While they can be different for each person who experiences them, they typically involve:

• Pounding, pulsing or throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head
• Pain that lasts 4-72 hours
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Pain that can make it hard to go about your day
• Pain that gets worse with movement or physical activity

We generally define migraine headaches by their symptoms and/or the conditions that trigger them. Common types include:

• With aura: Auras symptoms include changes in vision like seeing blind spots, flashing or flickering lights or zig-zag patterns. Auras typically develop over five minutes (before the headache) and can last for up to an hour. In severe cases, “complex migraine symptoms” can also affect speech and cause stroke-like numbness and dizziness. But these are less common.
• Without aura: This type comes with typical migraine symptoms but does not include an aura as a warning sign.
• Chronic: People with migraine attacks at least 15 days of each month (for at least 3 months) have chronic migraines. Those with fewer monthly attacks have episodic migraines.
• Menstrual migraine: Half of people who menstruate report that their period triggers attacks. These are often severe and less responsive to treatment.
• Vestibular: This type combines common symptoms with additional dizziness, balance issues and/or vertigo.

Triggers vary—and keeping a headache journal can help you identify what triggers to avoid. But some common environmental factors include:

• Hormone changes, including pregnancy, menstruation and menopause
• Alcohol and caffeine
• Stress
• Strong sensory stimuli, like flashing lights or strong perfume
• Sleep changes, including too much and too little sleep
• Intense physical activity
• Some medications, including some birth control or nitroglycerin
• Weather changes
• Certain foods like aged cheeses or processed foods
• Skipping meals
• Food additives like monosodium glutamate (MSG) or aspartame

There are many types of headaches. Here’s how they differ.

• Tension headaches: The most common headache, these are usually less severe than migraines and rarely cause nausea. Migraines typically happen on one side of the head while tension headaches usually cause constant pain on both sides.
• Cluster headaches: These can cause intense pain that people often describe as burning or piercing.
• Other headaches: Dehydration, physical activity, illness, medication use and other triggers can also cause painful headaches.

If you’re not sure which headache you have, talk to your medical provider. If you have sudden, intense head pain that comes on like a thunderclap or feels like the worst headache of your life, seek emergency medical treatment right away by calling 911. These headaches might suggest a more severe problem.

Sumatriptan is available as both an oral and intranasal medication. Both can help reduce migraine symptoms if taken at their first sign. Rizatriptan—also available as a tablet or nasal spray—also helps ease symptoms. The generic version (Maxalt) is available as a migraine pill and disintegrating tablet.

A virtual consultation through Dr. can help you get Rizatriptan and Sumatriptan online. We offer several other brand and generic migraine treatments, so you can choose the best medicine for you.

Warning signs can start hours or even days before symptoms develop. Early (prodromal) migraine symptoms may include:

• Extreme tiredness
• Yawning
• Irritability or moodiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Food cravings
• Constipation

Keeping a headache journal can help you identify your personal warning signs. If you take the appropriate medication before symptoms start, it may be possible to prevent an attack altogether.

Medications can reduce symptoms—but they don’t prevent migraines. If you know your triggers, it’s easier to avoid and possibly sidestep them. A headache journal where you track symptoms can help you identify your personal triggers.

These lifestyle changes can also help:

• Get enough sleep—not too much or too little
• Follow regular mealtimes
• Drink plenty of water
• Exercise regularly

Talk to a medical provider if any new or consistent headache pain concerns you. If you experience new headache pain—or one that follows an injury—seek emergency medical assistance immediately.

Migraines can also mimic other life-threatening conditions. See your medical provider immediately or go to the emergency room if you notice:

• A swift, intense headache that hits like a thunderclap, which patients often describe as “the worst headache of their life”
• A headache along with a fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, double vision, numbness or weakness anywhere in the body
• A headache that starts after a head injury
• A long-term headache that gets worse after coughing, exercise, straining or sudden movement
• New headache pain in people over age 50

Dr. B can help you get the migraine relief you need from the comfort of your home. Complete a short health assessment online. A licensed medical provider will review your health history and symptoms. If they determine a prescription treatment is appropriate, they’ll send the prescription to the pharmacy of your choice.

With 18+ brand and generic migraine prescriptions available, Dr. B can help you find the best treatment—right when you need it.

Consultation: A virtual medical consultation fee costs $15.00, which is lower than most doctor copays. Currently, we don’t submit medical consultation claims to insurance companies. But you can use insurance for any resulting prescription at your pharmacy.

Medication: Dr. B only charges for the medical consultation. When medications are prescribed, we let you choose the most affordable or convenient pharmacy to fill your prescription. The medication price will vary depending on your insurance coverage and whether the drug is brand or generic.