What is Transformed Migraine?

Transformed Migraine is another older term that isn’t used as often anymore.  What used to be called transformed migraine or evolutive migraine can now actually be called several different things, depending on the diagnosis.

The most basic diagnosis is chronic migraine.  Transformed migraine (TM) referred to patients who had migraine symptoms very frequently or even every day.  That’s what chronic migraine is.

In chronic migraine, the patient has migraine symptoms at least 15 days per month for at least 3 months.

Cases of chronic migraine often start out as something else – simple migraine without aura most often.  (Hence the term "transformed")

Now, the diagnosis does get a little tricky here.  First of all, you could also have chronic tension-type headache if your symptoms more closely mirror the technical description of tension-type headache.  However, you could even have both at the same time.  And just how different tension-type headache and migraine are biologically is a matter of debate.

If your doctor thinks you may have transformed migraine or chronic migraine, there are certain things she’ll want to check out.  First, she’ll want to do a work-up to make sure there isn’t another cause for your symptoms.  This includes other diseases, or a recent trauma to the head, for example.

She’ll also want to see what medication you’re taking – how much, and how often.  She may diagnose you with medication-overuse headache if she feels cutting back on medication will help you.

You may also be diagnosed with probably chronic migraine if there’s a chance that medication overuse has played a role in the past couple of months.

She’ll also want to check and see what may be aggregating your condition – migraine triggers, biological factors, and so on.  She’ll also want to check for related conditions, such as depression.

Treatment for chronic migraine can be challenging, but many people have found relief.  Your doctor will probably focus more on preventative strategies, such as supplements, preventative medications, and lifestyle changes.  These things can improve your quality of life over the long term.

More on transformed migraine from the National Headache Foundation.