Yay! I have a surgery date! Sept. 12, 2013.

I am so excited and nervous at the same time. I have started my pre-op diet and have eliminated caffeine. For the past two days I've had a horrible headache and I'm pretty sure it's caused from caffeine withdrawls. I know that I have to stay away from aspirin products but Tylenol does nothing for me. What do you take for pain?

Thanks in advance!

I had a horrible headache yesterday that I just gritted my teeth through lol I was too scared to take anything. I would say call your surgeons office first. Until then, I feel your pain!

maybe a LITTLE bit of caffeine. you probably weaned too fast. another option is something topical like salon pas strips. i use them for headaches all the time. try also cold compress, ice pack or cold water on your head somehow. if cold doesnt help try hot shower/ water on your head. Hot always works for me or a combo of that and the salon pas.

I just take plain ole aspirin when I have a headache. I know I'm not sposed to take NSAIDs but nothing else works. A couple aspirin isn't gunna kill me.

According to my surgeon..you are allowed to take NSaids(with food) only if NEEDED. In other words..if you dont need it that badly dont take it...but if you really need it..then take it..but sparingly

Just have one soft drink today, and maybe one tomorrow, then stop and you should be fine.

or you can call doc and ask for advice. you have almost 2 weeks till surgery. he or she may say ok to take nsaid, OR may prescribe something else (tylenol/codeine, tramadol, darvocet, etc) if they really don't want you taking nsaids. the concern is risk for bleeding during and after surgery. different from why you avoid them after surgery. (although my surgeon said nsaids occasionally is fine for sleeves.) important to ask your doc!

there are topical products if you have bad headaches or migraines.

1 is called "fever patches" they are found by the liquid child medicine (they work wonders, many not take a migraine away but it dulls it) the only problem is you want to be home they are a gel on fabric that you put on your forehead, they last about 4 hours.

2 "activon" its a topical gel for arthritic & joint pain, again works wonders but doesn't take migraines fully away. these leave a shiny gleam to your forehead, but when your head really hurts you really don't care.

3 "peppermint essential oil" I have mixed a drop or 2 with just a bit of vicks to not have it run.

I asked at one of my Doctor appointment's, where I get massive migraine a lot.

these 3 things I have used well before this, I am not a fan of pain killers.

luckily I haven't needed any of these yet.

I did have a caffeine headache a couple days ago, I put 1/2 packet of Crystal Light with Engery into a bottle of Water, it took the headache away quickly. you could even use a full packet, my Dr prefers no caffeine during pre-op. Some Dr's just say no fizzy drinks.

Best of Luck

I can't believe how many people's advice is to do something different than the doctors says. If we were all experts we would no be where we are. Don't drink the caffeine and don't take the aspirin. Drink a lot of water And wait it out. By day 3 the headache should be gone and if it not, call you dr and ask what they want from you.

Thanks everyone! Headache is a little better tonight. Doc office is closed till Tues. but I will call then. Have a great night.

I can't believe how many people's advice is to do something different than the doctors says. If we were all experts we would no be where we are. Don't drink the caffeine and don't take the aspirin. Drink a lot of Water And wait it out. By day 3 the headache should be gone and if it not' date=' call you dr and ask what they want from you.[/quote']

I agree here! Don't screw it up so close to the finish!! Water. Water. Water. Take a nap. Take a bath. Tylenol around the clock. As far as aspirin not killing you - if you bleed too much during surgery it CAN kill you! Try calling tues for some tramadol. They don't make darvocet anymore. :0(. Good luck!