Diet coke withdrawls and migraine, help

[Kailey's mom]

What can I take to curb the migraine? Or should I just go buy some diet coke? I thought I could trick my brain, and buy caffeine free diet, and it didnt' work. I'm fuzzy headed, have a migraine headache, and am in a crappy mood. I dont' even feel awake. Suggestions?

[carfreemama]

Coffee.

Seriously, I have been a lifelong migraine sufferer and while I know coffe may contribute to my migraines in the long term (though I've certainly tried eliminating it and seen no difference), when I actually have a migraine a good, strong, black cup of coffee or two really helps. Something about the blood vessels. I know it sounds messed treating one addiction with another, but with a migraine I'm up for just about anything.

If you don't mind the chemical approach, big doses of soluble aspirin have proven just as effective as prescription meds. I think it's 750 mg dissolved in water? I've never gone that high, but I've taken smaller doses more often than every 4-6 hours. Probably risky advice, though.

Otherwise, ice packs really cold on the back of the neck. Zero sunlight or computer time. Keep your eyes closed and stay horizontal (if you can) for a lot longer than you think you need to, to keep migraine from recurring (mine tend to come in bouts of 3 or 4 in rapid succession).

I hope you feel better soon! FWIW, diet soda was always a migraine trigger for me; so if you suffer frequently, you may find yourself getting fewer migraines once this miserable period is over.

Ultimately, acupuncture and therapy were my best cures; but no help in the short term!

[Bea]

You don't have a migraine. You have a caffeine withdrawal headache if I'm interpreting your thread title and post correctly.

You've stopped drinking (lots of) diet coke for whatever reason and now you have a headache and feel crappy?

You're addicted to caffeine.

I gave up a carbonated, caffeinated soft drink (on the second attempt) years ago and avoided the withdrawal headache and lethargy by using the heroin/methadone idea of weaning myself off.

Google the amount of caffeine in your coke. Buy some NoDoz/ Vivarin type caffeine pills, do the math and replace your diet coke with a glass of water and a whole/three-quarter/half/quarter etc caffeine pill.

You can drop your soda (or coffee) habit in two weeks without making yourself physically miserable.

Edited to add: You can do the same with your caffeine free soda, you don't have to use water!

[Kailey's mom]

Originally Posted by Bea

You don't have a migraine. You have a caffeine withdrawal headache if I'm interpreting your thread title and post correctly.

You've stopped drinking (lots of) diet coke for whatever reason and now you have a headache and feel crappy?

You're addicted to caffeine.

I gave up a carbonated, caffeinated soft drink (on the second attempt) years ago and avoided the withdrawal headache and lethargy by using the heroin/methadone idea of weaning myself off.

Google the amount of caffeine in your coke. Buy some NoDoz/ Vivarin type caffeine pills, do the math and replace your diet coke with a glass of water and a whole/three-quarter/half/quarter etc caffeine pill.

You can drop your soda (or coffee) habit in two weeks without making yourself physically miserable.

this is definitly the case. I ended up having dh get me some diet coke, I'm just now starting to feel normal again. I'm off to do the math now, thanks for the tip

[Bea]

The best of luck to you! This method totally works.

For future reference once you've dropped the habit, when you want a coke...have a full sugar, full caffeine one and SMILE!

Diet soda sucks ass