7 Practical Ways You Can Support Someone Through a Migraine Attack

Watching your loved one go through a migraine attack can be a sad and panic-inducing situation. There are few things worse than seeing someone close to you go through so much pain and be unable to take it away.

But there are some practical ways you can support a loved one through a migraine attack. Today, migraineur Sarah Alexander-Georgeson shares 7 tips for family and friends who want to help.

Though awareness is getting much better, a lot of people still misunderstand migraine and underestimate how severe it can be.

Migraine is a long-term condition that can impact the whole body, and an attack is so much more than a headache. Common symptoms of a migraine attack include:

• Pain in the head
• Problems with eyesight
• Sensory issues – light, smell, hearing sensitivity
• Nausea and vomiting

However, there are many kinds of migraine, all with various symptoms. Some symptoms may overlap between types, but other types of migraine have symptoms of their own.

In some cases, migraine symptoms may stop a person from functioning as they normally would. Likewise, not all migraine treatments or treatment regimens are the same, so what helps with one person may not help another.

As for me, I live with the following:

• Hemiplegic migraine (experiencing temporary weakness on one side of the body during a migraine attack)
• Retinal migraine (visual disturbances in one eye during an attack)
• Chronic migraine (having more than 15 headache days in a month)
• Vestibular migraine (vertigo, imbalance, nausea and vomiting)
• Migraine with aura (visual, aural, and sensory disturbances before or during an attack)

I know; life threw the migraine book at me (and aimed it at my head). However, years of painful experience (and trying to keep up with my diagnoses) means I know what help I need when going through a migraine attack.

Unfortunately, some of my migraine symptoms can prevent me from expressing my needs in the moment. A hemiplegic migraine attack, for example, robs me of my ability to speak. In fact, when I had my first hemiplegic migraine attack, my family and I were convinced I was having a stroke. So, if I can't speak, I need another way to communicate my needs, and I've done so before with a migraine flare-up plan.

For Migraineurs: Create a migraine flare-up plan

As with migraines, flare-up plans aren't one-size-fits-all, and people living with migraine may have to go through a period of trial and error until they create one they're happy with. Remember, the primary need for a flare-up plan is to remind you and your loved ones of what will help you during an attack.

My plan is a two-column list. One column lists the type of pain or symptoms I'm experiencing. The other column contains a list of remedies, reliefs, and distractions. Most of these reliefs don't refer to my prescribed medication (though that's also on there). Instead, they remind me of other things that have helped in the past, such as compression, heat, massage, etc.

You can put anything into your flare-up plan. If meditation helps, add it to the list. If a hot bath followed by a TV-season binge helps with body aches and distracts your mind, it's part of the plan!

My plan is a go-to crib sheet for practical migraine support, so it benefits myself, my family, and my friends. When I'm in the middle of an attack, I often can't speak to communicate my needs. Much of the time, I can't even recall the simple therapies on my list, like asking for a heat pack.

Fellow migraine sufferers will understand when I say that, in the middle of a migraine attack, all that's on my mind is the pain I'm in. This is why I find having a written plan on paper or my phone helpful; I can show my family and friends how they can help me.

For example, if I am having issues with certain smells making me nauseous, I can point to this in my plan, and my family will take practical steps to make the current environment an odor-free zone. There will be no fragrances, strong cleaning products, or foods that make me feel sick.

For Family and Friends: 7 ways to help during a migraine attack

If you know someone living with migraine, there are plenty of practical things you can do to help when they have an attack. Some examples are:

1. Have their water bottle filled and at hand

If your loved one is in pain, having regular glasses of H2O may not feel like their No.1 priority at that moment. However, hydration is crucial in managing migraine attacks. Make sure your loved one drinks plenty of water to help alleviate their symptoms.

2. Provide small, regular meals

If you can, check if your loved one has any trigger foods before you help them through an attack, as some foods can bring on a flare-up or make an attack worse. Nausea and vomiting are common during a migraine attack, so your loved one may insist they are not hungry. Encourage eating small, migraine-friendly meals anyway, and keep snacks close by.

3. Keep sensory overload potential to a minimum

Migraines can be triggered or worsened by sensory overload, so creating a calm environment is essential. Dim the lights, keep noise levels low, and avoid strong smells to help your loved one manage their migraine.

4. Enforce a wake-up routine

While rest is a must during a migraine attack, it's important to strike a balance. Though it can feel "mean" to wake up someone suffering who wants to sleep, it's not advisable to let your loved one sleep all day and night. If they sleep too much, they may not eat or drink enough, and both hydration and nutrition are essential in their recovery.

5. Ensure they take their prescribed migraine medication

If a doctor has prescribed migraine medication for your loved one, prepare for an attack by making sure you know what it is, what the packaging looks like, where it's kept, and the required dosage.

Help them take their required medication if necessary, and don't forget to make a note of when they took it.

6. Be ready with ice or heat packs

But check with your loved one or their flare-up plan first to see if packs help them. Gently putting heat or ice packs on their head, neck, and/or shoulders can help reduce discomfort.

7. Provide emotional support

Whether you lie down with them, hold their hand, stroke their hair, or simply check in with them regularly, your presence reassures them that they are not alone in this painful battle.

The takeaway

It’s true that migraine affects the whole family – not only the sufferer. It can be horrible to see someone close to you in pain and feel unable to relieve them of it.

We know you can't take the pain away, but there are some small, practical things you can do to help, which will go a long way toward our recovery. Overall, as long as you are there for us and listen to us, we feel supported.

The information presented is solely for educational purposes, not as specific advice for the evaluation, management, or treatment of any condition.

The individual(s) who have written and created the content and whose images appear in this article have been paid by Teva Pharmaceuticals for their contributions. This content represents the opinions of the contributor and does not necessarily reflect those of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Similarly, Teva Pharmaceuticals does not review, control, influence, or endorse any content related to the contributor's websites or social media networks. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice or recommendations. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and before beginning or changing any treatment regimen.

NPS-ALL-NP-01316 JULY 2024