Can coffee cause a headache? Or is it the creamer?!

Can coffee cause a headache? Or is it the creamer?

I have a friend who gets severe migraine when he drinks coffee regularly. It is not decaf and he uses a sweet liquid creamer - vanilla flavor I think. I've suggested it might be the creamer. Any ideas or experience? (He's a college student w/ heavy load.)

1 month ago
He says he can use energy drinks, tea & pain relivers w/ caffeine w/o this effect.

Well, if he can consume caffeine from other sources without getting migraines, then it's probably not the caffeine in the coffee that affects him. There are many other compounds in coffee that can have an effect on the body. It's possible that your friend is allergic/intolerant to some component in the coffee, and that this allergy is bringing on the migraines.

One other possibility I just thought of: Does the creamer that your friend uses contain aspartame or splenda? If it does, that could be the whole problem. Both sweeteners are known to cause toxic reactions in some people, and migraine headaches are among the possible side effects of both splenda and aspartame.