One scary ride
Now that’s one "ride" I really don’t want to try. As a part of Topamax’s Mind Over Migraine campaign, they’ll be setting up an exhibit at the Southern Women’s Show in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA. Part of the exhibit will be the "migraine simulator". That’s right, you (it won’t be me) can sit in this little device and get a glimpse of what it might be like to have a migraine attack.
How real is the ride? I don’t know – I can’t imagine a realistic simulator would be legal! After the migraine attack I had yesterday, I don’t think real attacks should be legal either. But the difference is, the migraine simulator comes with this label:
Please feel free to exit at any time if you become physically uncomfortable.
Hmmmm…we wouldn’t want to actually become physically uncomfortable, would we? Can we get one of those labels for a real migraine attack? I’d love to be able to switch it off at the first sign of discomfort…
6 December 2005 @ 9:34 am
I wish it was a requirement for doctors and ER staff to go on that ride. Oh, and strip off that damn label before they get in! If it meant that I’d get more compassion the next time I have to go to the ER for migraine pain, then I’d buy one of those freakin’ things myself, kidnap every ER nurse and doc I could find, strap them in and leave them there for a weekend.
Btw, you won’t find me on that “ride” either. I’m lucky. I already have my very own at home. :/
10 April 2012 @ 5:58 pm
Don’t you mean “travel-size” ride? lol I know mine goes with me EVERYWHERE! It’s so tiring. Doesn’t it just make you tired?
7 December 2005 @ 9:39 pm
I certainly understand where you’re coming from! It’s odd (to use a mild word) that some doctors can be so understanding, and some so…mechanical.
So if I tell all my friends I now have a migraine theme park in my house, can I put up a velvet rope and charge money?
10 January 2006 @ 8:57 am
I represent Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc., and I noticed the post about the “Mind Over Migraine” simulation and its potential for being scary. I thought you might be interested in more information about the simulation and the overall “Mind Over Migraine” program.
The “Mind Over Migraine” simulation follows a woman as she struggles to get through the workday with migraine pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light, noise and smells. It is an eye-opening experience for anyone who has ever thought that migraine was just a bad headache and designed to help validate the condition, since migraine remains under-diagnosed and unfortunately, under-treated. A video of the simulation is available at http://www.mindovermigraine.com/news_information/simulation.html. The simulation illustrates the auditory and visual affects that can be caused by a migraine, but it does not cause the viewer pain (either online or live).
Additional lifestyle information about treating migraine and feedback from people who have experienced the simulation is also available on http://www.mindovermigraine.com. The “Mind Over Migraine” approach is a two-pronged approach to help people better understand medical and lifestyle strategies that can help reduce the impact migraine has on people’s lives.
If you have an opportunity to view the simulation video or if you pass on the link to someone who you think might benefit from viewing the simulation, I would love to hear the feedback.
Best regards,
Kere Thomas