Preparing for an appointment

If you're having temporary visual or sensory disturbances, see your family doctor. In some cases, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in nervous system disorders (neurologist).

Here's information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

• Keep track of your symptoms. Keep a headache diary by writing a description of each incident of visual disturbances or unusual sensations, including when they occurred, how long they lasted and what triggered them. A headache diary can help your doctor diagnose your condition and track your progress in between visits.
• Write down key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

For migraine with aura, some questions to ask your doctor include:

• What's the likely cause of my symptoms?
• What tests, if any, do I need?
• Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
• What treatments are available? Which do you recommend?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Are there dietary restrictions I need to follow?
• Are there written materials I can take with me or websites you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions you have.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:

• When did you begin having symptoms?
• What types of visual symptoms or other sensations do you have?
• How long do they last?
• Are they followed by a headache?
• If you have headaches, how often do you get them and how long do they last?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?