Migraine

We’re all in this for good.

By sharing your stories and data, you will:
  • help each other live better and uncover the best ways to manage your health today
  • help researchers shorten the path to new treatments tomorrow

How much good can your data do? A whole lot, as co-founder Jamie Heywood explains in this video.

What is migraine?

Migraine is a neural condition characterized by recurrent headache and may be accompanied by nausea, noise sensitivity, and photophobia, sometimes preceded by sensory disturbances (aura).  Triggers of migraine episodes vary widely and may include allergic reactions, diet, alcohol, and bright lights.



Common symptoms reported by people with migraine

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it

Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
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Treatments taken by people for migraine

Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Aimovig)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
0
Tried for
migraine (17)
Treatment name(s)

(Elavil)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
929
Tried for
migraine (14)
Treatment name(s)

(Topamax)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1,062
Tried for
migraine (11)
Treatment name(s)

(Ajovy)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
0
Tried for
migraine (10)
Treatment name(s)

(Emgality)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1
Tried for
migraine (10)
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1,485
Tried for
migraine (4)
Treatment name(s)

(Inderal)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
552
Tried for
migraine (4)
Treatment name(s)

(Pamelor)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
317
Tried for
migraine (3)
Treatment name(s)

(Atacand)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
22
Tried for
migraine (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Depakote)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
255
Tried for
migraine (2)

Data from patients with migraine, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
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Compare treatments taken by people with migraine

Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Aimovig)
Perceived effectiveness
for migraine (15 evaluations)
Side effects
constipation depressed mood 7 more
Total evaluations
15
Tried for
migraine (17)
Treatment name(s)

(Elavil)
Perceived effectiveness
for migraine (9 evaluations)
Side effects
weight gain chronic fatigue 9 more
Total evaluations
9
Tried for
migraine (14)
Treatment name(s)

(Topamax)
Perceived effectiveness
for migraine (7 evaluations)
Side effects
carbonated drinks taste flat chronic fatigue 2 more
Total evaluations
7
Tried for
migraine (11)
Treatment name(s)

(Ajovy)
Perceived effectiveness
for migraine (5 evaluations)
Side effects
injection site hives migraine headaches
Total evaluations
5
Tried for
migraine (10)
Treatment name(s)

(Emgality)
Perceived effectiveness
for migraine (6 evaluations)
Side effects
injection site hives injection site itching 3 more
Total evaluations
6
Tried for
migraine (10)
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Perceived effectiveness
for migraine (1 evaluation)
Side effects
joint swelling
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
migraine (4)
Treatment name(s)

(Inderal)
Perceived effectiveness
for migraine (3 evaluations)
Side effects
heart rate low (bradycardia)
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
migraine (4)
Treatment name(s)

(Pamelor)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
migraine (3)
Treatment name(s)

(Atacand)
Perceived effectiveness
for migraine (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
migraine (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Depakote)
Perceived effectiveness
for migraine (2 evaluations)
Side effects
tinnitus
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
migraine (2)
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None

Data from patients with migraine, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
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Who has migraine on PatientsLikeMe?

  • 46 new patients joined this month
  • 3,907 say migraine is their primary condition

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 32
20s 474
30s 1,814
40s 3,381
50s 3,719
60s 2,239
70+ 584
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 3,248
20-29 years 1,303
30-39 years 727
40-49 years 360
50-59 years 87
60-69 years 13
70+ years 3

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 1,314
Female 10,947

Types
Condition Types Proportion # of patients
Chronic migraine (>15 migraines/month) 404
Complex confusional migraine 49
Complex migraine 137
Hemiplegic migraine 53
Menstrual migraine 141
Migraine with brainstem aura (basilar migraine) 114
Mixed tension migraine 191
Ocular migraine 123
Silent migraine 69
Vestibular migraine 59
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 6,799
Not Diagnosed 424

These charts show data from migraine patients who have completed their condition history
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