It's completely understandable to feel a little uneasy about virtual care — it's a big adjustment! The good news is that research shows telehealth can be just as effective as in-person visits for migraine evaluation and treatment, including first appointments and diagnosis.
There are some real advantages to virtual Show Full Answer
It's completely understandable to feel a little uneasy about virtual care — it's a big adjustment! The good news is that research shows telehealth can be just as effective as in-person visits for migraine evaluation and treatment, including first appointments and diagnosis.
There are some real advantages to virtual neurology care:
- Access to specialists who might otherwise have long waitlists
- Follow-up appointments from the comfort of home (especially helpful on bad migraine days!)
- Studies show symptom-tracking apps used alongside telehealth can actually reduce headache days
One thing worth knowing is that a full neurological exam is harder to complete virtually. Some parts can be done on video, like testing coordination and cognitive function, but others — like a fundoscopic eye exam — require an in-person visit. It's worth asking your neurologist if any in-person testing is recommended. Regarding Topiramate (the generic name for Topamax), 50mg twice daily is a commonly prescribed preventive medication for chronic migraine. As with any medication, there are potential side effects to be aware of, so it's important to keep your neurologist updated on how you're feeling on it.
A MyMigraineTeam member shared that finding the right preventive medication "completely changed my life" — so it's worth giving it a fair try while staying in close communication with your doctor.
August 18
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