Questions to ask about headaches

Information for the public

These questions may help you discuss your headache or the treatments you have been offered with your healthcare team.

Are there any support organisations in my local area?
Can you provide any information for my family/carers?
How will my headache affect my work or studies, and my social life?
Is there any employment information available, or help to support me at school and through my exams?
How will the headache affect me over the rest of my life?

What can I/we do to help and support the person with headache?
Is there any additional support that I/we as carer(s) might benefit from or be entitled to?

Is there a cure for my headache?
Is there anything I can do to help myself, like changing my diet or lifestyle?
What treatments are available for my headache?
Can you tell me why you have decided to offer me this particular type of treatment?
What are the pros and cons of this treatment? What will it involve?
How will it help me? What effect will it have on my symptoms and everyday life? What sort of improvements might I expect?
How long will it take to have an effect?
How long should I take it for?
Should I stay on this dose?

Are there any risks or side effects associated with this treatment?
What are my options for taking treatments other than the one you have offered me?
What should I do if I get any side effects? (For example, should I call my GP, or go to the emergency department at a hospital?)
Are there any long‑term effects of taking this treatment?