How an Online Doctor Can Help With Migraines
A focused review of symptoms, treatment and next steps.
Health Review
Review attack frequency, duration, aura symptoms and medicines used. The physician can assess whether the pattern fits migraine or requires a closer examination.
Care Options
Care may include treatment for attacks and, when appropriate, preventive treatment. Your medical history, pregnancy plans and current medicines affect the options.
When to Act
Call 911 for a sudden extreme headache or new weakness, speech difficulty or confusion. Seek urgent assessment for a severe new headache during pregnancy or an attack that is unusually prolonged.
Discuss Migraines With a Physician
Walk In connects eligible patients in its service areas with BC-licensed physicians for phone or video appointments. The physicians provide the medical care.
MSP-covered visits are free for eligible patients.
Understanding Migraines
Migraine can cause disabling headache with nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Some people have aura, such as visual changes. Not every new neurological symptom is migraine, even in someone with a previous diagnosis.
Care and Treatment
A plan can address attacks and their frequency. Regular routines and a diary may help identify patterns. Frequent pain-medicine use can make headaches harder to manage, so include all treatments in your review.
Your Appointment in Three Steps
Step 1 Book Your Visit
Choose a service and review the eligible location and care requirements before selecting an available appointment.
Step 2 Speak With a Doctor
Connect by phone or video. Your doctor may need video or an in-person assessment to understand your concern.
Step 3 Plan Your Next Steps
Your doctor will discuss a care plan. Prescriptions, notes, tests and referrals depend on the assessment and clinical need.
Before Your Appointment
What to Have Ready
- Monthly headache days and days affected by migraine
- Medicines, response and frequency of use
- Aura history, triggers and pregnancy considerations
Learn about the physicians on Walk In and their backgrounds before your appointment.
Questions About Migraines
When Should I Consider Preventive Migraine Treatment?
Prevention is worth discussing when attacks are frequent, disabling, difficult to treat or lead to frequent use of rescue medicines. The goal is to reduce the burden of migraine, not simply to wait until attacks become unbearable. Work, sleep, family responsibilities and recovery time all matter.
A physician can review a headache diary, current treatments and other health conditions to compare suitable options. Preventive treatment usually needs a clear follow-up plan to assess benefit, side effects and whether adjustments are needed.
Why Is My Usual Migraine Treatment No Longer Working Well?
The headache pattern may have changed, the medicine may be taken at an ineffective point in the attack, or nausea may be making an oral treatment harder to use. Frequent rescue treatment can also contribute to ongoing headaches. A new headache cause should be considered when symptoms differ from your usual migraine.
A physician can review exactly what you take, when you take it and how often. Bring a record of attacks and treatment response so the plan can address the specific reason for poor control.
How Do I Know Whether Visual Symptoms Are Migraine Aura?
A familiar aura often follows a recognisable pattern, but new or different visual symptoms should not automatically be labelled migraine. Sudden vision loss, weakness, speech difficulty or symptoms that do not resolve as expected can need urgent assessment.
Describe what you actually see, whether one or both eyes seem affected, how symptoms start and how long they last. A physician can assess whether the history fits aura or needs another investigation. Mention aura when discussing contraception because it can affect the suitability of estrogen-containing methods.
Who Can Book, and What Does It Cost?
Booking is available to eligible patients in Walk In’s service areas. MSP-covered physician visits are free for eligible patients. Check the booking portal for current eligibility and appointment availability. See pricing for private visits and other services.
Health Information Sources
This page provides general information. Your physician will assess your individual symptoms and medical history.
Speak With a Doctor About Migraines
Connect with a physician through Walk In. Check your eligibility and choose an available appointment.