A debilitating migraine attack lasting for more than 72 hours. Status migrainosus should be evaluated by a headache specialist to rule out other problems and treated to break the cycle.

Diagnostic criteria:

A. A headache attack fulfilling criteria B and C
B. Occurring in a patient with 1.1 Migraine without aura and/or 1.2 Migraine with aura, and typical of previous attacks except for its duration and severity
C. Both of the following characteristics:

  1. unremitting for >72 hr
  2. pain and/or associated symptoms are debilitating

Source

Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) (2013). The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version). Cephalalgia 2013; 33: 9-807.