MigraineStatsSurvey Infographic Book

Symptoms|Treatments|Causes|Related Conditions

Caffeine

Thinking of trying "Caffeine"?

At CureTogether, thousands of people worldwide are sharing data (anonymously) on their experience with Migraine - and hundreds of other health conditions - to help each other better understand their health and find the right treatments.

In our live, online study of 1265 people with Migraine, 84% of 486 respondents have tried "Caffeine":

Tried "Caffeine" for Migraine?

What effect did "Caffeine" have on your Migraine?

much worse	(23)
slightly worse	(20)
no effect / uncertain	(156)
moderate improvement	(154)
major improvement	(15)

See how "Caffeine" compares with other Migraine treatments.

11 comments on Caffeine:

I do not do caffeine. Once while out of the country, I had a severe migraine that my normal rescue meds did not help. Out of desperation, I finally took 1 aspirin & 1 Tylenol, and drank a Coke. It took the pain away. I later tried it again and it didn't work.
Posted by: Joyful November 7, 2009 2:35 pm

When I have a migraine caffine will help. It seems to open up the blood vessels and helps the headaches other than that I limit the amount of caffine I have on a daily basis.
Posted by: horseperson October 12, 2009 4:59 pm

I went thru a 3 yr lifestyle/diet/medication study at my local hospital when I was in my late 20's early 30's. I tracked everything I ate,everything I drank and all medication for 1 solid year & half to look for any food or drink triggers. I was never able to find any. The closest we found was hormonal maybe and that was not even consistent enough to say 100% that it was hormonal. We could not find Alcohol to be a trigger either.I went a solid 6 months without a drop of Alocohol in this study and had them the same as with Alcohol.
Posted by: Debslife August 4, 2009 7:19 pm

My neurologist believes one cup of coffee is more that enough. After that it can actually cause headaches. I have weaned myself down to that.
Posted by: flyfishergal August 1, 2009 4:28 pm

Always helps lower the intensity except in the worst of cases, in which nothing but narcotics help. Decaf coffee is just as effective, because it contains enough caffeine to do the job, I've found it only takes a little to be effective.
Posted by: howreb June 27, 2009 9:00 pm

I gave up caffeine. It has a short term effect to help but basically it's no good long term. Like re-bound drugs. better option is to give it up..I used think I needed a cup a day. took me 3-6 months to not miss it and I did wean off by adding more milk and less coffee. Read 'Heal you headache..1-2-3 program' has a good explaination as to why to avoid. I feel this was major as well as dietary changes in helping my meds be more efective..And I feel better
Posted by: kquigs May 7, 2009 11:54 am

I read somewhere that caffeine helps speed drug absorption. If I need a quick fix, I'll take my abortive drugs with a soda or coffee. I drink a cup of coffee every morning to get those blood vessels in order for the day - but only one. Too much caffeine will make me sick. But I'm a firm believer in caffeine for the treatment of migraine.
Posted by: MM April 28, 2009 9:21 am

a strong cup of coffee at the outset of a migraine can often minimize its effect and lets me get on with my day.
Posted by: Anonymous April 20, 2009 2:38 pm

Excedrin Migraine contains caffeine, that's usually what I take.
Posted by: LynneElf April 20, 2009 10:18 am

A couple of tylenol ultra (with caffeine in it) taken early enough can save the work day, but I'll still be drained for the rest of the day. Too much caffeine makes it worse!
Posted by: cathoo March 28, 2009 9:51 am

I'm a decaf drinker, but caffeine does help a fraction of the time (even though it has nothing to do with an addiction/withdrawal-effects since I rarely drink it).
Posted by: farenflora December 30, 2008 1:06 pm