most people wait until the headache actually starts to pop an abortive. but if you wait that long, you’ve probably already missed the window. i’ve been tracking my prodrome for the last few months, and there’s a sharp difference b/w catching it at first tingling (when i still have maybe 15-20 minutes) vs waiting for the actual headache to hit. if you wait for pain, your abortive is fighting an uphill battle.
the unglamorous detail: once the full attack starts, the nerve inflammation is already locked in. a triptan or CGRP works better before that cascade really fires. so if you’re waiting for the headache, you’re dosing too late. as a paramedic, i’m used to treating things when they’re already critical.
but with migraines, early is the whole game. the prodrome window is maybe 15-30 minutes if you’re lucky. after that, you’re managing the attack instead of stopping it. the hardest part: recognizing prodrome when you’re busy.
if you’re at work or distracted, the tingling doesn’t feel urgent. it doesn’t feel like “take meds now.” but it is. anyone else notice a huge difference in effectiveness depending on when you take it?