Former Brady Bunch actress Susan Olsen has experienced migraines since her days on the set. She moved on to take new roles as an artist, radio show host and migraine advocate. |
Photo by Andreas Larsson |
She had pigtails, an adorable smile and a ����������������������������� The Brady Bunch�������������� But even then, in the early ��������������������������� Brady”) was living with nau- ���������������������������� Still, the young actress didn’ t �������������������������������� ������������������������������ ���������������������������� as a graphic artist, painter, radio show host and advo- ����������������������������� ������������������������������ ����������������������������� �������������������������� ������������������������� ���������������������������- ����������������������������low the Steps to a Treatment �������������������������� ���������������������������sored
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by GlaxoSmithKline( called ���������������������������� ��������������������������� disease over the years and encouraging migraineurs to ����������������������������� Olsen has helped raise awareness about the disease and ���������������������� ������������������������������ ��������������������Head Wise about her experiences with migraine and how television catchphrases may have contributed to the stigma ��������������������������
Head Wise( HW): When was �������������������� OLSEN: I experienced my first migraine when I was 11. I was at a wrap party at the end of the fourth season of The Brady Bunch. I felt ill and wanted to leave the party early. I
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thought I had the flu and complained that my head was pounding, and I was really nauseated and was vomiting. My mother said,“ Oh, sweetie, I’ m so concerned.” I’ m like,“ Do I have a disease?” And she said,“ I think, from your symptoms, you’ re having a migraine. I think you’ re getting what your daddy gets.” Sure enough, I didn’ t have the flu. Back then my migraines didn’ t last long, and I was fine by morning.
My mother took me to the pediatrician, and I remember very clearly him kissing me on my forehead and saying,“ Oh, honey you’ re just too conscientious.”
HW: Did your migraines change over the years? OLSEN: As most people with headaches experience, your relationship with your disorder evolves. When I became a teenager, the migraines increased because of hormones. And then in my
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www. headaches. org | National Headache Foundation 37 |