What to Expect at Your First Appointment
By: Brooklyn A. Bradley, BS; Medically edited by Dr. Deena Kuruvilla, MD
Your first visit to a headache specialist is essential, as yourneurologist will help narrow down the nature of your headache, and possible treatments andapproaches. It is important to compile some general information prior to yourfirst appointment, to ensure the initial conversation is seamless [1].
Your neurologist will most likely begin by inquiring about both the history and nature of your headaches. Some basic questions may include: How and where do you feel pain? What is the intensity of the pain? Do any of your family members experience this? How frequently do you experience them each month and how long does each headache last? [1] These questions will help them learn more about your headache and your personal experience. When it comes to describing headaches, it is important to use as much imagery and detail as possible. Some common words used to describe headaches may include sharp, dull, throbbing, and pressure. The more specific you can be about your experience, the better [2]. It is also important to let your doctor know in what situations you’ve noticed that a headache occurs such as not getting enough sleep, stressful situations or around your menstrual cycle.This can help your doctor to identify any potential triggers. It may be useful to start a headache diary a few months prior to your initial visit, so that you can start tracking the answers to all of these questions. That way, you do not have to rely on your memory when you are at your appointment, and you will have all of the answers in front of you. Overall, answering these questions will guide your headache specialist in the right direction, so they can help to diagnose you with the right headache disorder and recommend a treatment plan that works with your individual lifestyle [2].
Your past and current medical history is also important for the neurologist to review. It may be helpful to bring a list of medical conditions, current medications, allergies, past surgeries, and family history of headaches or neurological diseases. In terms of past surgeries, any involving the head, neck, or back are especially important for the headache specialist to be aware of [2]. If you have tried medications for your headache in the past, this is also important information to tell your doctor. With this information, they can identify what treatments were effective, what type of medication it was, and any side effects that you have experienced in the past [1].
Lastly, it is a great idea to think of some questions to ask your headache specialist at the initial visit. These questions can help you learn more about your health, and even uncover something about your headache pattern that you may not have recognized before.
In conclusion, you can prepare for your initial visit at a headache specialist in a few ways. Your initial appointment will be a general discussion of your history, your personal preferences and recommendations from the specialist on the next steps.
At the Westport Headache Institute, we are dedicated to providing each of our patients the highest quality, comprehensive care! Call or email today to schedule a consultation or for more information.
References:
- Zayed DA (2019) What To Expect At A Neurologist Appointment For Headaches? By Dr. Ahmed. In: Get Second Opinion Now. https://bestdoctor.com/blog/what-to-expect-at-a-neurologist-appointment-for-headaches/. Accessed 12 Oct 2022
- What to Expect From a First-Time Visit to a Headache Specialist. In: American Migraine Foundation. https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/first-time-visit-to-the-headache-doctor/. Accessed 12 Oct 2022