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Better With Age ?
Do you know if there are any groups of women over age 60 who are experiencing migraines regularly , and are there studies for women in this age group ? – Diane S . Yes , the studies deal with populations that , in general , show a decline in migraine after the mid-40s . However , these are just statistical averages , and individuals cannot assume this will predict their course . Unquestionably , there is a subgroup of women who never even get migraines until after menopause .
– Mark Green , MD , Mount Sinai School of Medicine , New York City
Ups and Downs
I am a 50-year-old female with at least a 25-year history of migraine . I currently use topiramate for prevention . I just returned from what was to be a four-day roller coaster tour at the country ’ s “ Coaster Capital .”
The first day started great . My family and I rode at least four coasters — each getting gradually steeper . Then we rode a very steep , old , wooden coaster . It was extremely rough , and I immediately began to have severe head pain with the banging motions , side-to-side motions and forces that pressed me down into the seat . I tried to ride smoother coasters later in the day , but the pain was as bad or worse with each one , so I had to stop .
I took the second day off and tried again on the third day . But I had severe pain with those same forces . I would find some relief as the g-forces lifted , but it would return again with those other motions . It was so severe I would yell in pain .
Is it normal to get severe head pain from riding roller coasters ? Could it just be that I had a lowlevel migraine before I started , and the coasters exaggerated it ? It was a very hot day — could dehydration have been an issue ? Could the rides have caused a concussion ? Is there something I can do to avoid this in the future and ride pain free ? – Phyllis E . Roller coasters are fun , but people with migraine are often very sensitive to movement — even carsickness is more common in those with migraine .
I am certain that roller coasters are generally safe , but many types of www
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10 HEAD WISE | Volume 1 , Issue 3 • 2011