Any advice for tension headaches?
#258941 - 04/19/06 10:57 AM
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renee21
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 486
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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For the past couple of months I have been getting more and more headaches. Basically now I wake up with it and it lasts all day, every single day. It is not a migraine. It feels like tension in my temples and a dull ache all over the crown of my head. Tylenol and the like seem to do nothing for it. I drink TONS of liquids and can't think of any other obvious causes.
I went to my doctor yesterday. She said these are tension headaches, and not easily treated by medication (hmm, now where have I heard that before..) She recommended a big cup of coffee (!!!) with 3 advils. Um, hello, I have IBS, remember? She also said these headaches are best dealt with through non-drug means -ie. massage, chiropractor, using a buckwheat pillow on my shoulders.. I can't afford the first two right now. Will try the pillow toay.
Can anyone advice of something that might give me some relief? Honestly, the headaches are getting to the point where the IBS seems almost secondary. I said almost.
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IBS-C, lots of spasm and trapped gas.
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A big cup of coffee and how about a couple of shots of Jack Daniels while you're at it! I was at the GI doctor the other day and he told me to start eating anything I want. lol....doctors just don't have a clue with regards to IBS.
What does your diet look like and are you IBS-C or IBS-D?
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Jon - (IBS C)
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I'm IBS-C... I guess. I've never really identified with any of the categories. I am more IBS-B - bloating, gas and cramping is my daily deal.
I am following Heather's EFI diet. I take a SFS, eat SF with my IF, no red meat, dairy, caffeine, alcohol, etc. Also I eat wheat-free.
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IBS-C, lots of spasm and trapped gas.
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I've got the exact same thing that you have. Can you list the foods that you eat?
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Jon - (IBS C)
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I've had these a lot. Tylenol never helped me either and I definitely can't take Ibuprofen or drink coffee because of IBS. Plus, I would be concerned that withdrawal from caffeine would just cause more headaches and using Ibuprofen too often may result in rebound headaches.
Really hot, steamy showers have provided the best relief for me, especially when the tension headaches come with a stiff neck and shoulders. I'll also have a cup of strong chamomile tea (two bags instead of one).
HTH and that you're feeling better soon.
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How much water do you drink? I know I was really skeptical about how drinking more water would really help. It wasn't until my husband challenged me. Within days, my headaches (tension) were going away. I was amazed. That's tapered off now and my headaches are coming back. I just don't like to drink water and I always forget (I don't get thirsty).
But give it a try...seriously, up the intake. You may just be dehydrated. I'm sure I was for years.
Good luck!
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Flipada - IBS-C "It's a gas, gas, gas"
**Lauren**
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Maybe it's a sinus infection that moved to the back of your head...? I'm just getting over one and I had these very painful annoying headaches for months that just wouldn't got away (I had them near my forehead and the back of my head), no matter what I took. I found that steaming my head (literally) helps with the headaches that I got. I just boil some water in a pot and put a towel over my head (to keep the steam in longer) and over the pot and just breath in the steam for about 10-15 minutes. I know it sounds weird, but it really helped me! I had to do it a couple of times to see any significant difference, though. Hope this helps! 
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Tierney
IBS-C
www.StandardProcess.com[/url] = the home of REAL supplements
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Hey Renee, I get both tension and migraines. Sometimes, not always, inhaling rosemary oil, available at some HFS, helps me. I sit and inhale it, pure, for a half hour or so. It help shrink the vessels in your sinuses and face which are causing the throbbing pain. I've also soaked my feet in a hot bath 15 mintues or so, then so lie down with an ice pack on my forehead and snooze for a couple of hours. Depending on the day one or the other helps me, but like I said, not always. Good luck, headaches are AWEFUL, especially on top of IBS!
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Cassandra
Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like you've never loved before.
IBS A 20+ years, Chronic Migraines, Chiari Malformation (decompressed June 22, 2010), Brachial Neuritis, and ??? the list just keeps growing, but I'm still shiny side up! 
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Honestly, I don't think the headaches are food-related, but here's the basic diet:
Grains: oats, rice products, quinoa
Fruit: bananas, mangos, papayas, avocados, berries, figs, dates, dried cranberries, applesauce
Vegs: Squashes, yams, potatoes, leafy greens - arugula, spinach, kale, chard - carrots, artichokes, mushrooms, asparagus, sprouts, beets...
Protein: egg whites, fish (salmon, halibut), chicken (white meat), tofu, soy milk, soy yoghurt, almonds, almond butter
Other: ground-up flax and pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, maple syrup, honey, dijon mustard, vinegars, olive oil, flax oil, yolk-less light mayo, bragg's soy sauce...
Teas: fennel, peppermint, ginger
Supplements: SFS (recently switched from acacia to FibreSmart), calcium citrate, fish oil capsules, a multivitamin, valerian, st. john's wort, artichoke extract
And last but not least: a bit of dark chocolate every day!
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IBS-C, lots of spasm and trapped gas.
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You've given me food for thought and some things to try, i.e. steaming, hot showers, cool compresses. I haven't really tried any temperature-based therapy but it makes sense. And the rosemary oil, too, sounds interesting.
I will try to drink more fluid but I feel like I drink A TON of tea everday already. In fact, it's getting to be a problem as I drink so much in the evenings that I'm up once or twice in the night to go to the bathroom.
Thanks again!
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IBS-C, lots of spasm and trapped gas.
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Every morning I wake up around 5:00am with a bad headache. 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I read this can cause headaches...but probably not if you are just eating a little.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Perhaps I should go a week chocolate-free and see if it makes any difference. I know I shouldn't be eating it anyway - caffeine and sugar can't be fantastic for me. But I don't eat much of it - a small square or two. And it's my one remaining vice!
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IBS-C, lots of spasm and trapped gas.
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OMG
#259122 - 04/20/06 06:59 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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It just occurred to me that I've been eating GF brownies lately. They are made with chocolate chunks.
I don't know if I could give up yet another food, though. I'm already afraid of too many foods.
These are so good! 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Re: OMG
#259135 - 04/20/06 07:16 AM
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renee21
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 486
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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This is bizarre. I just posted a reply to you and now I don't see it on the board. Anyway, what i said is that we could try to cut out the chocolate but I'm not sure if I think that's the cause, otherwise I wouldn't be waking up with headaches, would I?
AND, I just googled "tension headache" and the description fits me to a T. You should do the same, there is some good information on the net, including ways to alleviate them (although frankly none sound too convincing). As if we did not have enough to deal with already, Beth!!
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IBS-C, lots of spasm and trapped gas.
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Could you give me the recipe, by the way? If not here then could you email it to me?
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IBS-C, lots of spasm and trapped gas.
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Don't go cutting out your brownies, I mean come on, what could worsen tension but to cut out one thing you enjoy???
I'd say best thing is some focused relaxation, when I get an evil headache nothing works but to lie completely still, close my eyes, force every muscle in my body to relax, especially jaw and face muscles, and stay there for a good 30 minutes.
HTH!
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Take care,
Michelle
...the greatest of these is LOVE. (I Cor 13)
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is here tension headache
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IBS-C, lots of spasm and trapped gas.
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here's a post I wrote to see if they were safe. You can log onto website and go under brownie baking mix. I also have a recipe that I am going to try because it only contains cocoa powder....so I am guaranteed it is totally safe. I will email you the recipe. It looks very easy! And low fat, DF, soy free....just don't know how it tastes. According to the author, they are scrumptions "velvety".
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Re: OMG
#259149 - 04/20/06 07:48 AM
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Johnny T. Reb
Reged: 07/09/05
Posts: 987
Loc: Lake Linden, Mich in the U.P. IBS-C
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Beth, Have your 5am headaches coincided with eating the GF
brownies? Another remedy which I didn't see mentioned is to
stick your head in a hot shower, the heat from the hot water
helps alleviate the headache or do what they do up here, go
sit in a sauna for a while. However, you probably wouldn't
feel like doing either of these at 5am. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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I do when I'm majorly stressed and it gives me a horrible headache when I awake.
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Take care,
Michelle
...the greatest of these is LOVE. (I Cor 13)
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And so this year I got a mouthguard, because I thought it was causing my headaches. And it did seem to reduce the headaches for a while, but now not so much. I know that I am clenching/grinding into the mouthguard because the underside of it is getting all worn down.
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IBS-C, lots of spasm and trapped gas.
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One you bought from a store, or one made for your teeth? I have that problem (not so much anymore though) and I got one custom made by the dentist (not very expensive) and it helped alot. I actually haven't used it in years but keep it around just in case. When I wear mine, I basically CAN'T grind my teeth or clench my jaw---just isn't possible. (Tension headaches are the worst, especially because you feel like you could prevent them.)
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Also...
#259199 - 04/20/06 09:07 AM
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epa_ginger
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1158
Loc: Chicago, IL
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just read your other post---chiropractor might work too if you can save the money, mine said my neck problems were causing headaches for me. My insurance didn't cover adjustments though so I paid for those for a while, and have been debating whether or not to go back.
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Renee (and others), all I can say is ICE! Ice works wonders for headaches. I get both tension headaches and migraines and ice helps both. I try not to medicate the headaches b/c it can just lead to rebound headaches and creates a vicious cycle.
I saw someone mention chocolate, I'd test that out with small portions b/c chocolate for some people works good to fight headaches and some people it can contribute or worsen headaches.
Also, peppermint oil on the temples helps to relieve tension headaches on me. What I do when I get tension headaches is this:
First, I rub some peppermint oil into my temples
Second, after the pepermint oil, I heat up the tub and soak in the tub (or shower) while the peppermint oil works its magic. This helps relax muscles that can tense up B/C you have a tension headache, which can in turn prolong a tension headache and create a vicious cycle that way. I sometimes use lavendar or chamomille scented bath oil or bubble bath or burn a candle in those scents as they help me relax.
Third: after the bath, I get an ice pack and lay down with the pack wrapped around my head and on my temples. The ice pack I have is meant for tension headaches and picked it up at the drug store out here called Eckerds. It's a long ice pack, about the lenth of the circumfrence of an average sized head, and comes with a blue sleeve that you can velcro closed around your head. I'm not sure about the cost, but it must not have been too bad if I could afford it, and actually I have 2, 1 at home, 1 at work.
Good luck!
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Erin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IBS-D, GERD...
I got it comin' outta 1 end or the other!
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Re: Also...
#259203 - 04/20/06 09:10 AM
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renee21
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 486
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Thanks for your input. My mouthguard is one fitted for me from the dentist, I manage to bite into it anyway...maybe I should take it back! I am definitely going to look into alternative treatments. Right now I'm unemployed but hopefully that will change and I will have some money to spend on it. I think probably doing more yoga will help too.
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IBS-C, lots of spasm and trapped gas.
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this sounds like a great plan. I actually have this oil blend that I got from Aveda years ago that you are supposed to put on your temples for headache - it is definitely minty. And I am buying an ice pack TODAY!!
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IBS-C, lots of spasm and trapped gas.
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great and look for the long kind of resusable ice packs that you can wrap around your head, it's great b/c it relaxes ALL the nerves and not just the ones creating the headache.
Also, I wanted to mention that the dr. who prescribed coffee must not have been a neurologist b/c coffee (and chocolate, caffeine in general) is a HUGE trigger for most people. It doesn't bother me and actually tends to help some, but it's a trigger for most, so unless you know it's not for you, I'd be cautious with the caffeine, not only for the IBS, but for making your headache worse.
The main thing to remember with tension headaches is that your whole body tends to get tense as well and the headache won't go away until your body untenses. I'm not guarenteeing that it will completely go away with my 3 steps, but it usually gets much better.
Another thing to look at for cause is your sleep. I tend to get them when I'm sleep deprived. I don't mean when I have insomnia and got 2 hours of sleep, but even just 6 hours instead of my usual 7 can trigger them. A lot of times when I use the ice pack on my head I take a short nap, like 1/2 an hour (I forgot to mention that).
Good luck!
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Erin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IBS-D, GERD...
I got it comin' outta 1 end or the other!
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As you know by now, I have this thing with anxiety and stress. So, I could be clenching my jaw while sleeping. I'll to try and be more conscious of it. It's hard to tell when you are asleep.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Chocolate is a major trigger for migraine headaches. If I were to eat chocolate, no matter how small of a quantity, I would have a headache within hours.
Please stay away from the chocolate and see if your headaches get better. Here is a good link to migraine triggers: www.uhs.berkeley.edu/home/healthtopics/pdf/triggers.pdf
By the way, chocolate isn't good for IBS either!
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Caffeine (in chocolate, sodas, coffee, etc.) IS one of the biggest triggers in a lot of people, but not everyone one. I've been drinking soda pretty much all my life, I can drink a 2 liter bottle easily in just an afternoon and the caffeine doesn't cause them, what does cause them for me is when I don't have enough caffeine. Just like IBS, headaches and migraines are different for different people and everyone has different triggers. Some it's lack of sleep, most it's caffeine, some lack of caffeine. For someone who eats some chocolate every day, I kind of doubt that is the cause unless the headaches have been there the whole time, but like Belinda suggested, it would be good for a bit of time to stop and see if they improve. If they don't, it's probably not the chocolate that's causing them. If it DOES improve, it probably is the chocolate. It's trial and error to see what works and what doesn't, just like with IBS.
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Erin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IBS-D, GERD...
I got it comin' outta 1 end or the other!
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Ill-Informed!
#259281 - 04/20/06 02:27 PM
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belinda
Reged: 10/09/03
Posts: 474
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Sorry, but you are ill-informed! Chocolate/caffeine is a MAJOR trigger for migraines.
However, if you are NOT a migraine sufferer, and you are addicted to caffeine, then you could be experiencing headaches as part of withdrawal symptoms when you don't consume enough caffeine. Headaches are a very common withdrawal symptom involving caffeine, alcohol and other substances.
From the sounds of it, you suffer from withdrawal headaches not MIGRAINES.
By the way, what in the world are you doing consuming soda and caffeine if you have IBS? This is equivalent to shooting yourself in the gut and wondering why you aren't feeling well!
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It definitely helps to up your water intake. I kept getting up in the middle of the night last night with a lot of pain and I ended up drinking 72 oz. of water throughout the night and I feel great today.
Dry mouth is the #1 symptom that you're dehydrated. Granted I had to go #1 - 3 or 4 times but my mouth continued to be dry so I just kept drinking water.
One thing I wish the IBS books would better address is when do attacks most often occur after you've eaten something.
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Jon - (IBS C)
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the link!
#259336 - 04/20/06 07:05 PM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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It would have helped if I had posted the link! Here it is Brownies
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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If you take a look at my brownie mix link...you'll see that people thought the chocolate was safe.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Re: the link!
#259345 - 04/20/06 07:51 PM
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renee21
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 486
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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thanks, Beth, i thought maybe there was some advanced computer-thingy that i wasn't understanding!
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IBS-C, lots of spasm and trapped gas.
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Beth...
#259385 - 04/21/06 05:35 AM
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ecmmbm
Reged: 02/23/03
Posts: 1622
Loc: North Carolina
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the same things do not bother everyone. "Ill informed" is a pretty blunt, verging on rude (thought I'm sure not intentional) way stating that chocolate causes HER headaches. And chocolate may be a known trigger for migraines, however anyone grinding their teeth through a mouthpiece truly is dealing with tension/stress and not your typical migraine, in my OPINION. Which is what we are all sharing, OPINIONS and information we have found true for US.
I just do not like the idea that EVERY little thing in our lives is caused by something "bad" we are eating, good night we will all have obsessive eating disorders if we look at everything in life that way and THAT is not healthy (in my opinion). I just dont' want to see you "scared off" by other's opinions.
Here is something interesting, part of a greater research article which showed foods rarely caused headaches as part of a double blind study on various suspected "triggers":
Since foods rarely seem to trigger headache, why are there such strong myths about them as headache triggers? The mood and behavior changes that precede a migraine attack often include food cravings. A false association can then be made beween eating the food and getting a headache. The food doesn't actually trigger the headache, but the craving is a sign that the headache process has already begun. In addition, sweet craving typically occurs in response to stress, fasting, and menstruation. Again, the true trigger may be the stress, fasting or hormonal changes, with chocolate (or other craved foods) a reaction to the trigger rather than acting as a trigger itself.
I'm not saying that is die-hard fact anymore than I can say it is NOT, but what I am saying is that it is a theory just like any other and if you ask me, it makes a lot of sense.
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Take care,
Michelle
...the greatest of these is LOVE. (I Cor 13)
Edited by ecmmbm (04/21/06 05:54 AM)
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Re: Beth...
#259389 - 04/21/06 05:49 AM
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Johnny T. Reb
Reged: 07/09/05
Posts: 987
Loc: Lake Linden, Mich in the U.P. IBS-C
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Michelle, You are quite correct about this biz about attribut-
ing all IBS attacks to food. Since stress is so insidious,
people tend to forget about it as the cause. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Beth, Was it cocoa powder or chocolate in your recipe? Belinda
is right about the common milk chocolate bar having caffeine
in it. However, it has nowhere near the amount of caffeine as
a cup of coffee does. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Here are the ingredients again...INGREDIENTS: Molasses and Honey; Brown Rice Flour, Natural Process Cocoa Powder, White Rice Flour, Organic Chocolate Chunks (Organic Natural Evaporated Cane Sugar, Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter, GMO-free Soy Lecithin/emulsifier, Gluten-free Organic Vanilla. Chunks may contain traces of milk protein due to manufacturing equipment.); Tapioca Starch, Sweet Rice Flour, Potato Starch, Gluten-free Natural Flavor (contains corn derivative), Sea Salt, Xanthan Gum, Baking Soda.
As you can see, it has both cocoa and the real chocolate liquoir and cocoa butter. 1.5 grams fat per brownie. Is the caffeine content what makes chocolate a trigger? I thought it was the fat.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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...many IBS "safe foods" and foods the poster is also eating...like figs, papaya, avocado, banana, pumpkin and sesame seeds, and nut butters. It also has sourdough and fresh yeast breads.
I bet migraine triggers are not tension headache triggers. Two different maladies here.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Belinda sounded pretty definite that chocolate was a trigger for all IBSers when she says "By the way, chocolate isn't good for IBS either!"
And since I don't have a handle on my own triggers...I obsess about all potential problems I may be putting into my body. This is a challenge for me.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Beth, There would be a little caffeine in the chocolate chunks
,but it's very small. I mean small enough so as to not trigger
. Just like there is a small amount of alcohol in the choc.
liquor. Yes, chocolate is a trigger because of it's fat rather
than the small amount of caffeine. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Good question and the answer is NO! Actually, some of the triggers for migraines are the same as tension, and actually tension headaches can trigger a migraine. Here is a list of common triggers and you'll see what I mean about not being the same:
Tension headaches are called tension headaches for a reason, they are caused by tension. Some very common triggers are: stress, anxiety, fatigue, hunger, anger, poor posture, or overexertion. Notice it mentions hunger can be a trigger, but not any food you eat.
Common migraine triggers are: alcohol, MSG, aspartame, chocolate, caffeine, dairy products, fatty foods, lack of sleep or too much sleep (one of my triggers), irregular sleep patterns (one of mine), physical exertion, fatigue, sudden or intense exertion, irregular meal patterns, stress, anxiety, depression, glare or bright light, flashing or flickering lights (one of my triggers), fluorescent lighting, weather changes (one of mine), strong odors (bad or good), repetitive visual patterns (stripes, zigzags, etc.-one of mine), air pollution, secondhand smoke, chemical fumes, nitroglycerine, histamine, reserpine (hypertension drug), hydralazine (drug that lowers blood pressure), diuretics, anti-asthma medications
As you can see, one of the big differences (besides the type of pain) is that tension headaches tend to be specific in what triggers them: tension! Migraines can be pretty random and they are different for different people. I've suffered through tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches since I was a little girl. I know food causes migraines for most people, and Belinda is right, Chocolate is a trigger for MOST people, but not everyone. The only problem I have is with caffeine and I'm trying to stop drinking the sodas b/c of the IBS (I never knew it had anything to do with IBS until last week!) and if I try to stop drinking caffeine all together, then I get migraines, so I have to stop gradually. That is my only food trigger for migraines, but almost all the foods listed as triggers DO trigger my IBS. Everything else comes from visual stuff, sleep changes (too much, too little, change in the pattern of when I sleep, etc.), and changes in the weather.
--------------------
Erin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IBS-D, GERD...
I got it comin' outta 1 end or the other!
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Belinda, first off, your post came across to me as very rude, I hope it wasn't intentional. If it was, there was no reason for it.
Notice I said that "Caffeine (in chocolate, sodas, coffee, etc.) IS one of the biggest triggers in a lot of people". I agreed with you. If you'd read other posts, I AM a migraine sufferer and have been since I was a little girl, actually migraine, tension, and cluster headaches. Migraines can be caused from withdrawl of caffeine, which is what is happening with me. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about, and if you wish, I can give you more detail about why I know what I'm talking about.
The whole point of what I was trying to get across is that migraine triggers are different for everyone. What triggers migraines for one person is not necessarily a trigger for another. Read my post about migraine vs. tension headache triggers. I was using myself as an example that with the exception of caffeine, or lack of, food is not a trigger for me. Chocolate has no effect on me. I've had migraines since I was 13 years old and I didn't even eat chocolate back then. Even at the onset of migraines, they are experienced differently for different people. For years my mom disagreed with my neurosurgeon about having migraines b/c I didn't have any auras when in reality only 20% of migraine suffers ever experience auras.
Why am I drinking caffeine with IBS?? Because I had no idea until last week caffeine had anything to do with IBS. No one ever told me that until I found this site.
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Erin
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IBS-D, GERD...
I got it comin' outta 1 end or the other!
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...it's especially the carbonation...not just the caffeine. So caffeine free wouldn't be safe either. Soda causes gas, bloat, and contains lots of chemicals.
Good luck getting off of it. I went from 8 cans a day to nothing! I really can't say I miss it though.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Thanks for the info Augie. I've heard of carbonation bothering some, but unless the carbonation causes D, I don't think that one is an issue for me simply b/c I don't get bloated or gasy. I'll keep that in mind though, who knows! I was thinking of switching to a non-caffinated soda, but maybe I should just stop all together
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Erin
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IBS-D, GERD...
I got it comin' outta 1 end or the other!
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That's what I thought! Thanks for the info, Erin! I've had both types of headaches and recalled my doctor saying they usually start due to different reasons. When I was having a lot of anxiety and panic, I tended to have tension headaches more frequently. During my period I sometimes get migraines, but these are due to a drop in estrogen.
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Oh, and don't forget artificial sweeteners and HFCS found in most sodas. Those are also considered triggers.
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thanks!
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Erin
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IBS-D, GERD...
I got it comin' outta 1 end or the other!
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actually, menustration and ovulation should have been on that list for migraine causes as well. Sorry I left them off.
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Erin
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IBS-D, GERD...
I got it comin' outta 1 end or the other!
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This looks really safe, Beth! Bob's right - there's very little caffeine in cocoa. Here's something Linz pointed out a while back:
"The caffeine in cocoa is carried in the fat so cocoa powder has very little caffeine in it that can get into your bloodstream. This is why we use cocoa powder and NOT bitter chocolate (fat therefore caffeine)." Caffeine in Cocoa Powder
I also read that for people who tend to get migraines, it's mainly a chemical called phenylethylamine, not caffeine, in chocolate that triggers headaches. Like Bob said, it's the fat content in certain chocolate products that triggers IBS symptoms.
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What you said is very true. Although I think it's important to be aware of what we're consuming, I agree that that it's definitely not healthy to obsess over every little thing we eat. Thanks, Michelle, for the reality check! 
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I open mine the night before and let it go "flat," so there is no carbonation induced gassiness. I find that flat diet Gingerale eases a lot of my medication induced nausea. If I drank it with carbonation, the gas alone would probably trigger a D attack, or at least intense (& unnecessary) discomfort.
Kate, IBS-D.
Kate, IBS-D.
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and I absolutely know the causes, none of which are food. Usually it's something preventable too. My husband gets migraines, the bad kind with the aura and puking, and caffeine is not a trigger for him. In fact, it can help. Our bodies are all wacky!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I agree! I don't get the auras or throwing up, but my migraines are incapacitating and can last weeks even months at a time. Caffeine definitely help mine too, but in my case I think it's b/c my body is used to so much to begin with that when I start to feel one come on, it's usually b/c I haven't had any in a while and just a few sips of caffinated soda helps tremedously. I'm trying to cut back from 6 20oz bottles day. I'm down to 3 a day. I tried to go to 2 this week, but started to get those stupid migraines from that. Today I'm only having 2 and I'm on my 2nd bottle now. We'll see how that goes!
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Erin
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IBS-D, GERD...
I got it comin' outta 1 end or the other!
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Hey, I just wanted to wish you good luck with cutting back on soda. You're doing the right thing, and I hope you eventually get down to 0 bottles of soda.  Best wishes!
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Re: ErinB
#259490 - 04/21/06 11:49 AM
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ErinB
Reged: 04/11/06
Posts: 49
Loc: Raleigh, NC
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I'll tell ya what, if nothing else, at least I'll save on a lot of money! 
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Erin
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IBS-D, GERD...
I got it comin' outta 1 end or the other!
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As I've said, chocolate is a major trigger for migraines. However, if you view the link that I provided, you'll see that there can be many other possible triggers too. Obviously not every single person will get a migraine from every single trigger or every single time. I believe the link provides a list of the most common triggers.
Tension headaches are not the same as migraines. However, I wonder if the original poster truly knows what causes her headaches. There are migraine headaches, tension headaches, withdrawal headaches, allergy headaches, etc. Even though the doctor may call it a "tension headache," it's entirely possible it may be caused by something else (grinding teeth at night?), as some of the posters have suggested.
The soda is bad for you whether or not you have IBS. Outside of the IBS issue, the soda is full of sugar which is not good for anyone. Too much consumption of foods with added sugar can lead to overweight and, even worse, diabetes.
Or, if you're drinking sugar-free soda, it's full of awful chemicals used in artificial sweeteners. Some of those chemicals are cancer-causing! In my mind, sugar-free soda may be worse for your health than sugar-added soda!
One of our Canadian school teachers likes to demonstrate to her students first-hand how bad some sodas are. So she brings in a bottle of cola and drops a penny into the liquid. She then reseals the bottle and the kids watch over the ensuing weeks as the penny completely vanishes -- literally disintegrating in the soda! Yuck! I don't care how good cola tastes, I wouldn't want to drink it!
I still think what you are experiencing may be a caffeine-withdrawal headache. However, since you are prone to migraines, your withdrawal from the caffeine soda may be causing you a double-whammy -- a withdrawal headache and a migraine. Ouch!
The good thing is once you overcome that caffeine dependence, the headache should dissipate. By the way, are you getting any shakes (trembling hands, for example) as well? That's another common symptom of caffeine withdrawal.
I'm sorry if I sounded rude in my previous posting. My posting wasn't meant that way. I tend to be very direct in my messages so perhaps I am not always as diplomatic as I should be. It's just my writing style.
I hope you get off that soda very soon! You'll feel a lot better when you do. Try replacing it with a room temperature, non-carbonated bottled water (Evian, if you really want to splurge!) and cups of peppermint tea, fennel tea and camomile tea (the camomile only if you don't have any Hayfever/ragweed allergies).
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I can say that I could eat 12 chocolate bars in one sitting on any given day and not have a SINGLE bad reaction. Chocolate is one of those foods that I can eat when I can't eat anything else. Without fail! So to all the naysayers... we are all different!
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I seem to get more and more scared of foods.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Definitely, and I think, from my own experiences, that is true if you eat something on a regular basis that even though it can have a bad effect for a lot of people, your body kind of adjusts or maybe builds some kind of immunity to it so you don't have those reactions. Chocolate is like that for my headaches as well, but it does aggravate my IBS...however I didn't eat chocolate until I was about 21 years old and I've had IBS a heck of a lot longer than that. Maybe if I'd been a choco-holic like my mom since I was a kid it would be different, maybe not.
But the point is everyone is different and even though a large group of people might experience the same effects from 1 thing, there will always be exceptions.
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Erin
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IBS-D, GERD...
I got it comin' outta 1 end or the other!
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