At the National Headache Foundation, we know knowledge is the best weapon for battling migraine disease and headache disorders. Here is a compilation of tools to help you in your journey towards understanding your disorder and getting better treatment.

See your physician immediately or go to an emergency department if:

  • You are having your worst headache ever
  • You are having your worst migraine attack ever
  • Your headache is accompanied by the following symptoms:
    • Unresolved loss of vision
    • Loss of consciousness
    • Uncontrollable vomiting
    • The pain of your headache lasts more than 72 hours with less than a solid four-hour, pain-free period while awake
    • You experience a headache or a migraine attack that presents unusual symptoms that are abnormal for you and frightening
  • arrow-green When to see your physician for your headache

Some individuals are reluctant to seek help because they don’t want to arrive only to learn that nothing out of the ordinary is wrong. Please, don’t be concerned about that; use this guide to see if you need medical assistance.

  • arrow-green Talking to your headache doctor

Establishing strong communication with your healthcare provider is important. Effective physician/patient communication is increasingly important given today’s time constraints for office visits and the variety of new treatment options available. Seek help. Be a self-advocate.

  • arrow-green Avoiding dietary triggers

Be your own expert by keeping a log of the foods you have eaten before a migraine attack, and see whether the removal of these foods from your diet reduces or eliminates your headaches.

  • arrow-green Keep a headache diary

Keeping detailed records of headache episodes can help provide additional insight about triggers and how to avoid them. Click here to download a headache diary.

  • arrow-green Biofeedback training techniques

Biofeedback teaches individuals to control the functions of their autonomic (involuntary) nervous system. These functions include heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, muscle tension, and brainwave activity.

Helpful Links

  • The Coalition For Headache And Migraine Patients (CHAMP) is an organization that provides support to people with headache, migraine and cluster diseases who are often stigmatized and under-served. This site provides helpful information about financial assistance, resources, treatments, and navigating insurance. Click here for the Headache & Migraine Treatment Access Guide for Medicines & Devices. 
  • Migraine at Work is a project of the Headache and Migraine Policy Forum. Our steering committee includes MigraineAgain.com, the National Headache Foundation, the American Migraine Foundation, CHAMP, and the Association of Migraine Disorders. Migraine at Work provides tools and resources for employees and employers to solve the challenges of headache and migraine in the workplace.
  • The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) has developed a Migraine Patient Toolkit. The Migraine Patient Toolkit contains easy-to-understand information about migraine diagnosis and treatment options, a headache diary template, and tips on interacting with health care providers and health insurance companies to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes.
  • ThePatient Advocate Foundation has helpful information on navigating health insurance and financial assistance.
  • Miles for Migraine provides fun ways to get involved in the migraine community and raise awareness. Join them in a city near you for a 2-mile walk, 5K/10K run. Learn more about their new programs, such as a day camp for kids and teens who have chronic migraine, and their adult seminar series.
  • The American Migraine Foundation (AMF) launched the American Registry for Migraine Research (ARMR), which is a database (or registry) containing information about patients diagnosed with migraine and other types of headaches. ARMR is a tool to advance research by helping physicians and researchers understand the causes, characteristics, costs, and treatment of migraine and other types of headaches.
  • Applying For Disability Insurance for Migraine Disease
  • Know your rights as an employee with migraine disease.
  • Information on clinical trials can be found on our website and here at clinicaltrials.gov
  • The Association of Migraine Disorders has teamed up with 7Cups to offer emotional support for people with migraine disease and headache disorder.
  • Migraine Community Groups brings people living with migraine disease and caregivers to connect, discover, and share. They provide helpful resources and supportive discussions.
  • Cluster Busters supports efforts involving the research, education, support, and advocacy related to cluster headache.
  • Help the NHF when you shop on Amazon. Select the National Headache Foundation as your charity of choice on Amazon Smile. 

Patient Assistance Programs

Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) are programs offered to help patients needing financial assistance to purchase necessary medications and devices. Migraine treatment is provided at no cost or at a very low cost for qualifying individuals.

  • The Aimovig Ally™ Access Card provides two offers in one card. The Bridge to Commercial Coverage Offer provides Aimovig® free for up to 12 doses while coverage is pursued. Once coverage is established, the same card may be used for the $5 Copay Offer which provides Aimovig® for $5 per month up to a maximum benefit of $3500 per year. Restrictions apply.
  •  AJOVY™  offers a savings coupon to commercially insured patients to pay as little as $0. Restrictions apply.
  • Biohaven Patient Assistance Program – If you’re experiencing financial hardship or have limited or no insurance coverage, you can enroll in the Biohaven Patient Assistance Program, which provides assistance to those who qualify.
  • The BOTOX® Savings Program was created to help commercially insured patients with out-of-pocket costs not covered by insurance.
  • Emgality™ offers a savings card to patients who are commercially insured. Those who meet the eligibility requirements may pay as little as $0 for up to 12 months with the Emgality Savings Card. Restrictions apply. Restrictions apply.
  • gammaCore™ offers eligible patients up to 12 months at no cost while pursuing insurance coverage. Also, qualified patients may be eligible for co-pay assistance of up to $300 in the first month and up to $250 for each following month for a maximum of 12 months. Restrictions apply.
  • Nurtec™ ODT (Rimegepant) Eligible patients with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per month with the Nurtec ODT Patient Savings Program.
  • The HealthWell Foundation offers funds to assist with the cost of prescription drugs and biologics used in the treatment of migraines. The fund closes when they reach their maximum award amount. Restrictions apply.
  • Social Security Disability Benefits

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