The research, by the Migraine Action Association (MAA), found that people with migraine often needed up to five consultations before their GP had a good understanding of the impact that the condition had on their lives.

Sufferers also admitted that they were often foiled by their own inability to communicate the problem sufficiently.

For their part, doctors said they were often frustrated by their failure to get to grips with the problems presented by migraine.

Ninety per cent of GPs surveyed felt that the best way to improve a consultation would be for a patient to keep a diary of their symptoms.

The MAA is launching a campaign, Tackling Migraine Together, to tie in with the first ever national migraine awareness week which starts on 6 September.

Ann Turner, MAA director, said: "Communication is vitally important. Migraine is a complex and highly individual condition, and every migraine patient can benefit from a good working relationship with his or her GP.

"Keeping a record of attacks in a migraine diary can be a great way of showing the true impact migraine has on your life.

"It is also useful to make a note of treatments you have tried, whether they were effective and any side effects you may have experienced."

Full consultation

Claire Rayner, president of the Patients Association, said keeping a migraine diary was a good first step to improving communication between doctor and patient.

"Don't try and squeeze a quick chat about your migraine in at the end of a consultation. Book a full appointment with your doctor. You will need all of his time," she said.

There are a number of different medicines for migraine, including simple painkillers, complementary therapies and preventative medication.

Migraine-specific medicines, known as triptans, act in a similar way to the brain chemical serotonin, which is known to be in short supply during migraine attacks.

The MAA survey was based on responses from 1,000 members of the association and nearly 800 GP members of the Migraine in Primary Care Advisors group.

A new leaflet, Tackling Migraine Together, has been prepared with the aim of helping sufferers to understand more about their condition and how to communicate effectively with their GP.

It is available from MAA, 178a High Road, Byfleet, Surrey KT14 7ED.