While it seems like you do not get these terrible migraines often, it might be wise to go to your doctor and get a prescription for them so you have the pills on hand when this occurs.

Within 30 minutes, mine are almost always gone. It would save yourself a lot of pain and the loss of a day in bed.

Being prepared is the best thing you can do for a migraine.

I agree with Shelley. Once that migraine hits, all I want to do is curl up in a ball with an icepack on my head, earplugs in, eyemask blocking out the light and never move again. There is absolutely no way I'm going anywhere beyond the linen closet and freezer to get my migraine meds and icepack, respectively (although I have been known to look in the freezer for my migraine meds and linen closet for the icepack...migraines just scramble my brain!).

If you think Tylenol Migraine or Exedrin Migraine will help, go get them now while you're feeling better (check the expiration dates to be sure they'll last for a few years) so you'll have them on hand for the next time (which hopefully won't happen for months!). Then keep them in a dry location (out of the bathroom; I keep mine in the linen closet in the hall) so they last longer.

For meds that act faster, see your doctor. The migraine rescue meds, the triptans, truly are miracles. I would just recommend that if possible, the first time you take them, you have someone with you so if you have an adverse reaction someone can call for help (you never know what type of reaction you will have with something new; I can't take them due to severe chest pains and shortness of breath, much more so than normal, but then again, I have a number of allergies and adverse reactions to medications).

You may also want to consider stocking up on at least one good icepack (the wraparound your head type is fabulous), soft earplugs (usually sold in packages of 6-12, try the green ones; they are generally the softest and block out the most noise and you can trim them down to fit your ear if they're too long), and an eyemask if you don't already have one. All will help while you wait for the medication to kick in. The cold helps the head feel better; the earplugs block out extra noise; and the eyemask helps make the room dark, even in the middle of a sunny day--all things you want to do to help ease the pain of the migraine.

Just do these things now, before you get caught up in life and the next migraine hits. And hopefully, because you're prepared, you won't need any of them for a long, long time.

Good luck!