Crippling migraines affect about five million Australians, often leaving sufferers isolated at home, and in pain.
Thomas Magill, 21, has attacks that can last for days and said his eyes get bloodshot and his vision blurs when a migraine is coming on.
"Really tight throbbing in the head, typically I would get a sharp stabbing pain on the left side of my head as well," he told 9News.
"I'm lucky I've been able to take the triptan-based medication, I can keep working and things like that."
From early next year, people like Thomas will be able to access two anti-migraine triptan medications over the counter, in small packs, without the need for a prescription.
However, there are some concerns that this could lead to overuse.
The elderly and those with cardiovascular issues should also be avoiding the medication.
"If you have a new onset headache it's probably better that you see your medical practitioner," Associate Professor Karl Ng from Sydney North Neurology told 9News.
Other options for frequent migraine sufferers are novel medications that are designed to prevent attacks rather than treat them once they are happening.
There are now three of them available in Australia, which target the calcitonin gene-related peptide which increases during migraines.
These injections have already shown to improve quality of life but can be very expensive.
"The cost associated with that, and it not being on the PBS is just untenable, with the CGRP medications costing upwards of $800 a month," Mr Magill said.
Advocacy group Migraine Australia said the condition, which affects so many people, should be treated the same way as asthma, where the focus is on prevention and each patient has a management plan.
Mr Magill is part of a new campaign called the 151 Faces of Migraine, which aims to put a face to the condition in every federal electorate.
There is also an Change.org petition calling for bipartisan political support to make migraine a national health priority.
