Migraine attacks typically come on in the following way:
Prodrome: It is the first part of a migraine attack and it can occur hours or even days before the headache begins. Sometimes, but not always, you may experience symptoms such as sugar cravings, extreme fatigue, irritability, uncontrollable yawning, and an increased need to urinate.
Auras:
At this stage, you may experience visual disturbances, numbness, or speech difficulties up to one hour before the attack (in about 20% of migraine sufferers)
Migraine attack:
That is when you will start feeling pain, often on only one side of the head. This is the time to take medication, before the pain becomes too intense.
Intense pain phase:
This phase is often accompanied by nausea or vomiting and intolerance to noise, light, or smells. If you wait until this phase before taking medication, it will likely be less effective, or the nausea or vomiting may prevent you from taking it.
Resolution (or postdrome):
You will feel gradual disappearance of pain and other symptoms but may be left feeling drained, exhausted, or “hung over.”