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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