Michele Bachmann says ‘easily controlled’ migraines don’t slow her

Michele Bachmann says her migraine headaches are “easily controlled” with medication, that the episodes have not slowed her on the campaign trail and that they would not affect her ability to function as president should she be elected.

The presidential candidate read a prepared statement Tuesday afternoon while at a campaign stop in Aiken, S.C., to respond to a report by the Daily Caller that said the Minnesota congresswoman has been victimized by such intense migraines that they would periodically incapacitate her and require her to be hospitalized or seek medical care. The story said that Bachmann relied on medication to keep the migraines at bay.

“Since entering the campaign, I have maintained a full schedule between my duties as a congresswoman and as a presidential candidate traveling across the nation to meet with voters in the key, early primary and caucus states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina,” Bachmann said. “I have prescription medication that I take whenever symptoms arise and they keep the migraines under control. Let me be abundantly clear: My ability to function effectively has never been impeded by migraines and will not affect my ability to serve as commander in chief.”

Bachmann noted that 30 million Americans suffer from migraines—and “while I appreciate the concern for me and my health, the greater concern should be the debate that is occurring in Washington over whether or not we will increase our debt, spending and taxes.”

Time magazine is reporting that after Bachmann delivered her statement, her aides aggressively prevented ABC News investigative reporter Brian Ross from asking follow-up questions about Bachmann’s health.