What to Expect

Summary

As we have emphasized at multiple points thus far in this book, migraine is a disorder that can be controlled— but not cured—and its clinical course is highly variable. While many exceptions occur, migraine tends to subside as we age. Female migraineurs frequently experience worsening of their headache syndrome prior to and during early menopause but then enjoy lessening or even termination of migraine as more years pass. Even so, this course is far from inevitable; even if your sisters, your mother, and your mother’s mother all miraculously ceased having migraine following menopause, this does not ensure you will duplicate their experience. Migraine is by no means a justifiable indication for performing a hysterectomy/ bilateral oophorectomy (removal of uterus and ovaries).

Courses of effective prophylactic therapy should help improve the natural history of your migraine by smoothing out those rough spots wherein you otherwise would suffer frequent or chronic headache. Effective abortive therapy should enable you to minimize the time you spend disabled due to a migraine attack or the side effects of any medication taken.

It is our hope that for you, the individual reader and headache sufferer, the knowledge you gain from this book will lead you to a better understanding of your disorder and its appropriate treatment. Thus empowered and working in tandem with your physician, you may become your own best ally in managing your headaches.