I don't think you understand either the specificity or how debilitating a migraine can be. For example, mine (and those of many others) are preceded by a very clearly identifiable visual disturbances, called a migraine 'aura'. I get headaches once in a while too, but it's very easy to tell the difference. and trust me, nobody with migraines wants to sweep them under the rug, and painkillers really don't touch them.
The problem for migraines today is that anything stronger than caffeine starts to come with potentially nasty side effects. Imitrex is the first option people usually go to - for myself, I decided not to do that.
Almost everyone with migraines will be advised by their doctor to try to identify triggers, dietary or environmental. But it's tricky. I kept a food log for months to absolutely no avail. At some point after about 20 years of migraines, I finally figured out that looking at a really bright light (think sunlight reflection off of polished metal) would pretty reliably trigger a migraine. The existence of medications that reduced the severity of symptoms in no way stopped me or many others from trying to identify causes.
The problem for migraines today is that anything stronger than caffeine starts to come with potentially nasty side effects. Imitrex is the first option people usually go to - for myself, I decided not to do that.
Almost everyone with migraines will be advised by their doctor to try to identify triggers, dietary or environmental. But it's tricky. I kept a food log for months to absolutely no avail. At some point after about 20 years of migraines, I finally figured out that looking at a really bright light (think sunlight reflection off of polished metal) would pretty reliably trigger a migraine. The existence of medications that reduced the severity of symptoms in no way stopped me or many others from trying to identify causes.