Pain meds - aspirin, etc.

What can we take for bad headache pain? (Had RNY) I was cautioned not to take aspirin but the tylenol doesn't work at all. Am in PT for the headaches and being given muscle relaxers which don't work and migraine meds that only work after hours.

Any ideas?
Thanks so much.
Rudie

Hi Rudie,

I am very interested in this post!  I get terrible headaches sometimes, and I have always relied on Advil.  Tylenol doesn't do a thing for me!  I know I'm not going to be able to take Advil any longer.  So what DO we take for bad headache pain?

Vickie

Vickie: It is a real dilemma. Since you are going to be having your RNY soon, talk to the doctor about "normal" pain. The word I got was an emphatic NO for aspirin. Congratulations for taking this huge step deciding on surgery. It is life changing and I am so pleased for you.

Rudie

Thank you Rudie!  You look fantastic, btw.  All of you ladies are such an inspiration to me.  It's so nice to talk to WLS patients who are several years out from surgery.  It gives me such hope!

I get migraines too ... five years ago, I was put on topamax (now topiramate, which is generic, much cheaper). It's a preventive, works very well. I still get migraines, but they're much less severe, plus there's a great side effect (at least when you first start taking it) ... weight loss! It seems to help with stopping carb cravings .. but not anymore for me.

I take imitrex when I do get a headache. If the imitrex doesn't work, I take a vicodin and go to bed. Tylenol does nothing for my pain. I know some who use Ultram for headaches. Less sedating,

Eileen: Thanks so much for answering. So sorry about your migraines. I've been on one of the migraine meds which really are slow to work. Vicodin doesn't help either. With the magic of meds in this day and age there's bound to be a solution, just have to keep looking.

DeVonne

Here are a couple of other natural methods: ice packs on the back of the neck (or heat on the back of the neck ... or on the forehead ... it varies everytime I get a headache); Vicks vaporub on my forehead or sinus areas; a hot shower. And, like I said, if all else fails, go lie down in a dark room. But the ice pack on the neck seems to help lately.

Ask about Topamax, though. It has helped me a lot. And now that it's in generic form, it's a lot cheaper ... I used to pay $80 for a month's supply for my copay, but now it's $11 for 60 pills (you need to take two a day).

Good luck.

Rudie, try this one and it's not taking drugs, just working on specific pressure points.

Take your right hand and use your index finger and your thumb, apply pressure to left hand (or if your left handed visa versa)...do circular motions while applying pressure. You can also take both hands to the temple areas with slight pressure and circular motions.

My daughter had a headache that lasted almost a year. The neurologist tried lots of medications. The one that worked was a blood pressure med. She didn't have elevated blood pressure, but apparently it works on some headaches. She took it for a year and then stopped. The headache never returned.

Glad her headaches are gone. I am on blood pressure meds for high pressure. Dr has ordered an MRI of neck and base of head where headache originates. It will all be well I know. Thanks for responding.

Rudie