Since early this week, the public and news media has become increasingly interested in Rep. Michele Bachmann and her migraine problem. Some have questioned whether she is healthy enough for the presidency. Others have suggested she is some sort of pill popper. And this was all from the GOP side.

In an attempt to deflect the attention, Bachmann released a letter from Congress’ physician attesting to her health.  Dr. Brian P. Monohan wrote in a letter provided to the press by Bachmann’s campaign that the congresswoman and presidential candidate has had “an extensive evaluation by both my office and by a board certified consulting neurologist.” The evaluations, Monahan wrote, have included “detailed labwork and brain scans all of which were normal.”

“Your migraines occur infrequently and have known trigger factors of which you are aware and know how to avoid,” the letter continued. Monohan wrote that Bachmann can “control [the headaches] well” with sumatriptan and odansetron and added that “it has not been necessary for [Bachmann] to take daily scheduled medications to manage this condition.”

Prior to the release of the letter, former Bush White House adviser Karl Rove said that the Bachmann campaign should release her medical records in order to avoid the scandal from growing. “It’s going to be important for her to get her doctors out there, quickly, to provide the medical records and to provide the reassurance that people are going to want to have,” Rove said.

Some Republican candidates have used the situation to take some shots at Bachmann. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, another 2012 hopeful, was asked questions about Bachmann’s health for higher office.”I don’t know enough about her particular medical situation to comment. I just don’t have enough facts on me.

I certainly would defer to the judgment of the medical professionals, but setting that aside all of the candidates, I think, are going to have to be able to demonstrate they can do all of the job all of the time,” Pawlenty said.

“If you’re going to be president of the United States you’ve got to be able to do the job every day, all the time. There’s no real time off in that job,” he said.

Other presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Ron Paul expressed views that migraines should not disqualify Bachmann for the presidency.

Image Courtesy of  http://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/

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About the author

Erin Chavez
Erin Whitney-Chavez has been writing professionally since 2009. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts from St. Bonaventure University and received a Master of Arts in mental-health counseling from Argosy University. Erin Whitney-Chavez is a licensed mental health counselor and has worked in the mental-health field for more than 10 years.

1 Comment for Bachmann Releases Physician’s Letter About Migraines

Keischa

The paragon of undetsrnading these issues is right here!

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