Question:
Any suggestions on an over the counter headache medicine?

I am 7 weeks post op and have been getting headaches again (did pre-op) I always took excedrin migraine or excedrin, but right now I take so many crushed pills a day, if I can get away without another it would be great. Does anyone take anything that doesn't need to be crushed and works pretty well....I understand gel-caps are out. Thanks.    — jane O. (posted on August 13, 2003)

August 13, 2003
I attended my instruction class yesterday and we were told to only take Tylenol. They also said if a pill was larger than aspirin size to either crush OR cut it in half. I think to be sure I'd call my Dr.or Bariatric Ctr. Nancy
   — nancysho

August 13, 2003
What about the quick tabs? The reason not to take the NSIDs is because of pouch burning/irritation. There should be nothing wrong with taking the dissolve in your mouth quick tabs.
   — Pookie B.

August 13, 2003
Hi, I also cannot take any pills due to many stricture I have had. So I'm a crusher of pills too. I had an awful headache the other day and bought childrens Jr. Tylenol. I was going to take the equivalent of an adult dose, but decided to try the 3 chewables, which amounted to 480 mg. I was amazed, but the 3 chewables worked like a charm. Just a thought. By the way do you use the pill crusher Walgreens has...it is fantastic...it pulverizers the pills to powder..it's $5.99 and it's the best little gadget I've ever used. Take Care.
   — Karen Renee

August 13, 2003
Try BC Powder. It's great. You can buy it most anywhere that sells over the counter drugs.
   — THE NEW M.

August 13, 2003
I just take the regular Tylenol capsules without a problem but the "melting" Excedrin is really good too. I used to take Motrin but it hurts my pouch now. Tylenol never used to work on my migraines but now after surgery is like magic!
   — MomBear2Cubs

August 13, 2003
Check with your surgeon's office about what to take other than Tylenol. Excedrin is aspirin (can cause bleeding in the pouch) and has a lot of caffeine in it. My surgeon discourages using it except in extreme cases. If you are having migranes there are some great new drugs out there and at 7 weeks, you should be able to swallow capsules - I could as early as 8 days post-op.
   — Patty_Butler

August 13, 2003
my surgeon recommends Liquid tylenol/ or the liquid tylenol sore throat forumla for head aches. He does not recommend any other pain reliever due to most of the others having stomach irritants. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!
   — lyndaleigh

August 13, 2003
I personally wouldnt do the BC powders as I think they contain aspirin, which is a known pouch burner. I am very careful what I take after having had the experience of a marginal ulcer that perforated and a bout of peritonitis.
   — Gina Landers

August 13, 2003
I have some excedrin quick tabs, I am still pre-op though. They do have 65 mg caffeine in them but no asprin, they are made with Acetaminophen it says. :)
   — Saxbyd

August 13, 2003
Excedrin quick disolving tabs DO NOT have asprin in them...only the same stuff as in Tylonol. The caffine helps headaches by opening the blood vessels in the brain and letting more blood flow in. I take them everyday, and my Dr. says no problem. They really help.
   — Patricia G.

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