Health and Wellness, The Chronic Illness Files

Migraine Emergency Kit

Samantha Daniels

How to Make a Migraine Kit

Hello! Oh hush, not so loud. 

Migraines run in my family and I too have been given the curse of these unbearable monsters. For the majority of people whom I have met with migraines, they have told me that they know when a migraine is coming. 

A stomach ache, a small headache, euphoria (seeing flashing lights or shapes that aren’t really there), or other hints that their body tells them in order to warn them of an impending migraine. However, I (and I’m sure others out there) don’t get those warnings. I can be sitting in a car, walking in a grocery store, or wake up out of bed and BOOM migraine. It is like being hit in the head with a baseball bat of horrific migraine pain. There is no warning. My body doesn’t like me enough to tell me that a migraine is coming. It just shows up uninvited. So rude…

For that reason, I have a migraine kit.

I think this idea is so great that it is worth sharing and I hope it helps you as it does me. There is nothing worse than having an unplanned migraine alone with too much pain and brain fog to pull yourself together.

Why do I need a Migraine Kit?

A migraine kit is great for two reasons:

  • It is convenient 
    • If you are hit with a migraine all of your needs are in one place.
    • Migraines cause brain fog and when that hits you don’t want to be crawling around the house looking for your medicine and an icepack. 
    • If someone is caring for you, they can just go get the kit. If no one is asking questions, it means there is less talking. (Sweet sweet silence.)
  • It is personalized 
    • You can put whatever YOU need in it.  
What’s inside?

Okay now, just as I said you can put whatever you want in your migraine kit but here is what I have in mine:


  • A Cosmetic/ Travel Bag
  • Prescription Medication (for the big ones)
  • Excedrin Migraine
    • I am not affiliated with the company, it is just simply what works for me
  • Plain Crackers (or any Snack)
    • For times when I can’t go eat, but I also can’t take my medication on an empty stomach 
  • Peppermint or Ginger Candies
    • To help with nausea 
  • A Sea Band Nausea Bracelet 
  • A Sleeping Eye Mask 
  • Tissues (to cry myself to sleep)
  • Sunglasses
    • For when I need to leave the couch and still see where I’m going
  • Earplugs 
  • A Bandeau Headband
    • This is my migraine must have! I use soft icepacks to sooth my head while I desperately try to sleep. Bandeau headbands are perfect for me because you can use them to wrap an icepack and then wear the icepack-headband as normal. It keeps the ice in place while also acting as a barrier between the ice and your skin. Which brings me to my next item…

How to Make a Bandeau Headband Icepack:

  • 1. Gather Your Items
  • 2. Fold Bandeau in Half…
  • 2 1/2. (Fold) From the Inside to Create a Pocket
  • 3. Place Icepack into the Pocket
  • 4. Continue Folding to Keep the Icepack from Falling Out
  • 5. Place on Your Head

Yes, this looks silly, but you will be thanking me when you realize you will never have to hold an icepack to your head again. Handsfree pain relief.

Outside of the Kit:

  • A Soft Icepack (In the Freezer)
    • Obviously, an icepack needs to be frozen to be useful… so keep it in the freezer! I keep my kit on top of the fridge to keep everything in one place.
  • A Water Bottle (In the Fridge)
    • ALWAYS keep a water bottle in the fridge. It will come in handy all of the time, but will be especially wanted during a migraine. 
    • If cold drinks or snacks cause your migraine to be worse, then just keep a room temperature water bottle directly in your migraine kit. 

Other items that may be a good idea to have at hand:

  • Essential Oils 
    • Calming Lavender and Soothing Peppermint are great options
  • A Neck Pillow
  • A Blanket 
  • Comfy Clothes 
  • Slippers
    • They’re quieter than other shoes

There you go! Pack your kit and away you go. Okay it’s not the most exciting thing to do, but trust me when I say that the future you will be grateful.  

Ready for the next migraine! Yay? At least you’re prepared now.

A gift for you

As I well understand, when you are in the beginning battles with migraines, you may be unsure as to what could be causing your migraines. Is it the weather? Stress? Something else?

Here is a free PDF download for you to keep track of your migraines and possibly discover connections that you may not be thinking about right now. Click HERE to print off your own Migraine Check List and make a commitment to analyze your migraines and advocate for help.

Migraine-Log

DOWNLOAD HERE

Published by Samantha Daniels

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