Bachmann “incapacitated” by headaches; drug use suspected
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Bachmann’s condition makes her non-functional for days which isn’t good if you’re president
The Daily Caller reports that Michele Bachmann frequently suffers from severe migraine headaches:
The Minnesota Republican frequently suffers from stress-induced medical episodes that she has characterized as severe headaches. These episodes, say witnesses, occur once a week on average and can “incapacitate” her
for days at time. On at least three occasions, Bachmann has landed in the hospital as a result.
“She has terrible migraine headaches. And they put her out of commission for a day or more at a time. They come out of nowhere, and they’re unpredictable,” says an adviser to Bachmann who was involved in her 2010 congressional campaign. “They level her. They put her down. It’s actually sad. It’s very painful.”….“When she gets ‘em, frankly, she can’t function at all. It’s not like a little thing with a couple Advils. It’s bad,” the adviser says. “The migraines are so bad and so intense, she carries and takes all sorts of pills. Prevention pills. Pills during the migraine. Pills after the migraine, to keep them under control. She has to take these pills wherever she goes.”
….Of particular concern to some around her is the significant amount of medication Bachmann takes to address her condition. The former aide says Bachmann’s congressional staff is “constantly” in contact with her doctors to tweak the types and amounts of medicine she is taking. Marcus Bachmann helps her manage the episodes.
for days at time. On at least three occasions, Bachmann has landed in the hospital as a result.I have no idea if this is really serious or not. Still, it sure sounds like something that deserves a more considered response from Bachmann’s flack than an opaque statement that her headaches are “under control” and “I’m not going to go into her medical history.” If she wants to be president of the United States, her medical history is no longer something she can just blandly pretend is no one’s business but hers. Just ask Thomas Eagleton.
UPDATE: Atrios thinks this is all stupid: “Aside from ‘imminent death is likely’ I really have never understood why people think random health issues matter.”
Look, maybe this story is wrong or overblown. If so, Bachmann can explain and it becomes a non-story. But multiple members of her staff are claiming that this “random health issue” is something that happens frequently and is incapacitating when it occurs. If it’s true, then yes, of course this matters in someone who wants to be president of the United States. I know we’re all supposed to be disgusted by the media’s relentless campaign preoccupation with minor personal issues, but sometimes these things actually matter.
Thanks to Kevin Drum writing for Mother Jones
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I am with Mike here on people knowing the full extent of Bachmann’s health situation. I am sorry for her illness and I wish her nothing bad as far as her health is concerned. However, the President of the United States really doesn’t have the luxury of having incapacitating migraines hitting them on a weekly basis. I really don’t want anyone with their finger on the button having a bad hair day whatever is causing it. There needs to be full disclosure of her health situation or she needs to get out of the race.
Mic-no, I don’t even want to use her name. Though the least important of things the woman in question needs to do (for her own sake)is get out of government, she still needs to give up politics, as a public service, debiltating headaches being the least important reason.
I don’t know what to say to this. I was misdiagnosed with migraines for over 40 years. The headaches were indeed incapacitating and all too often I’d land in the hospital for as much as four or five days. Drugs didn’t help – I’d have to be totally knocked out. Of course, when I came to the pain returned. This is pain that literally brings me to my knees.
Finally I was diagnosed with occipital neuralgia for which there is no known medical treatment, meds or otherwise. So, I guess what I’m saying, is that I have nothing but sympathy for anyone – even mine enemies – who suffer with these kinds of headaches. Unless a person has experienced them, they have no clue – none. And, as in my case, she could be misdiagnosed as well. I can certainly understand how someone could get hooked on drugs but, at the same time, they really made me even sicker and I began resisting them even before I was diagnosed correctly. When in the throws of these things, I can’t even imagine campaigning for office at any level.
While I have never suffered Leslie I know a lot of people who have and know it to be crippling at times.
Leslie, I can’t imagine the pain occipital neuralgia causes you. I suffered from migraines for years, which completely knocked me out and made me sick to my stomach. And I agree with Lelie: people who haven’t suffered from excrutiating headaches have no idea how horrible the pain is.
I took Imitrex, which worked within an half hour. Lelslie, you are also right that Bachmann’s migraines may seem symptomatic of a more serious illness. All those drugs her doctor’s are “tweaking” may be one of the reasons why she can’t think straight.
That said, Bachmann’s malady (malidies), her ignorance, bigotry, and sexism, are still a part of her.
Michelle and Marcus are certifiably nuts and because of their extreme religious views, they probably don’t have much use for science and therefore seek treatment from quacks.
I had a few migraines as well – where I did get sick at my stomach, couldn’t stand bright lights and would get the aura. They are flat unbearable. The reason I think MB may be misdiagnosed is because of the old adage that only really intelligent people seem to suffer from them. ; )