Acute symptoms · Berlin
Migraine attack
Migraine attack is an acute medical condition that RAB Arztbesuche treats with a licensed physician on a home visit anywhere in Berlin — daily from 6 am to midnight, usually within 60 to 90 minutes.
A severe migraine attack makes every movement, every light and every sound unbearable — leaving the house in this state is barely possible. Our specialist physicians come to your home or hotel daily from 6 am to midnight, evaluate you carefully and can treat with injectable or intravenous therapy when needed.
Medically reviewed by Susanne Reiche · Last reviewed
Migraine in Berlin — acute care in quiet
Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders. A severe attack typically presents with pulsating, usually unilateral pain, nausea or vomiting, marked photo- and phonophobia, and worsening on physical activity. Some patients experience an aura with visual or sensory disturbance beforehand. In the acute state any sensory input is unbearable, and leaving the darkened bedroom for a clinic is a serious additional burden.
The house call lets you avoid that burden. We come to your home in Mitte, Kreuzberg, Charlottenburg, Pankow or Schöneberg, examine neurologically and discuss therapy with you. For status migrainosus — an attack lasting more than 72 hours — intravenous therapy is often useful, and we can provide exactly that on site.
Diagnostic certainty before treatment
Before treating an acute headache as migraine we exclude dangerous differentials. We check pupillary response, eye movements, facial motor function, balance, gross strength and sensation, meningism and vigilance. A history of onset, course, similar previous attacks, accompanying symptoms and risk factors is part of every visit. If the headache appears atypical — new, different, sudden or with neurological findings — we recommend prompt extended workup in hospital.
Therapy on site
For a typical migraine attack our physician can deliver a proven acute therapy: antiemetics such as metoclopramide intramuscularly or intravenously, combined with NSAIDs or — where tolerated and without contraindications — a triptan. With severe symptoms IV fluids are useful because many patients are dehydrated from vomiting. We stay with you during treatment, document the response and outline a plan with you for the next 24 hours.
How the house call works
On first contact we clarify onset and course of the attack, prior experience with migraine, current medication, neurological findings and pregnancy status. If anything looks atypical or there are red flags we direct you straight to a suitable hospital. Otherwise we dispatch the next available specialist — typical arrival 60 to 90 minutes.
On site we perform the neurological exam in a calm, dimmed setting, administer acute medication and stay with you through the critical onset phase. We issue prescriptions for home follow-up therapy, a sick-leave certificate and, for frequent attacks, a recommendation for a neurology practice for prophylaxis.
Billing and insurance
We bill according to the GOÄ via our Privatärztliche Verrechnungsstelle. House call, neurological exam, injection or infusion and administered medication are itemised separately. German private health insurance and civil-servant Beihilfe schemes typically reimburse these positions in full.
We can issue an English invoice for international guests on request. We remain reachable by phone for billing questions after the visit.
Emergency? Dial the emergency number
If unconscious, with severe chest pain, breathlessness or heavy bleeding, dial 112 immediately. Our service complements the emergency services — it does not replace them.
Case profiles
Typical scenarios
Known migraine, attack out of control
A patient with established migraine experiences a particularly severe and prolonged attack. Home medication is insufficient. We add antiemetics and analgesics IM or IV.
First presentation during pregnancy
In pregnancy many standard medications are restricted. We pick safe options and coordinate the therapy closely with the obstetric practice.
Hotel guest with an attack in the room
A business traveller has a severe attack at night. We come to the room, treat and advise on travel readiness for the next day.
Status migrainosus over several days
An attack lasting more than 72 hours with marked dehydration and exhaustion. We combine antiemetics, analgesics and IV fluids.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell whether my headache is dangerous?
Red flags include a sudden thunderclap headache, the worst headache of your life, neurological deficits, fever with neck stiffness, seizures or impaired consciousness. In these cases, dial 112.
Can you administer triptans?
Yes. Without contraindications and with a suitable history we can administer triptans subcutaneously or as a nasal spray. With cardiovascular risk factors we evaluate this individually.
What if I have never had a migraine before?
A first diagnosis in the acute setting must be made cautiously. We exclude relevant differentials clinically and recommend onward neurology follow-up depending on findings.
How often can migraine attacks be treated acutely?
With frequent attacks (more than three per month or regular acute medication use) we recommend prophylactic therapy via a neurology practice, to avoid medication-overuse headache.
Book now or call
Get in touch — we will arrange a doctor for your house call regarding Migraine attack.