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  • ร—
    Home ยป Caffeine FAQ

    Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms and Side Effects

    Are you wondering exactly much caffeine is in your cup of coffee. Trying to cut down a bit, or at least know how much caffeine you are ingesting each day with your morning cup of java or afternoon pick-me-up triple espresso Latte?

    A typical cup of coffee contains approximately one hundred and twelve milligrams of caffeine. There is a bit less caffeine in a shot of espresso - a typical espresso shot includes about ninety milligrams of caffeine.

    How much caffeine in coffee?

    This is important to keep in mind when making any espresso drinks.

    While these numbers are typical, the amount of caffeine in coffee can vary considerably based upon multiple factors. The primary factors affecting caffeine content of coffee and espresso include the genetics of the coffee bean varietal, the particular roasting given to the coffee beans and how the coffee  is brewed.

    If the coffee beans being used are Arabica coffee beans then one cup of coffee that is approximately one hundred and twenty milliliters of coffee, if it is drip-brewed, will have about 112 milligrams of caffeine.

    A 30 milliliter Espresso shot using Arabica coffee will have an estimated ninety milligrams of caffeine.

    How Does Roasting Affect Coffee Caffeine Content?

    When coffee is roasted it decreases the overall amount of caffeine in the coffee, but not significantly enough for it to be a serious way to reduce your caffeine intake.

    Caffeine did not undergo significant degradation with only 5.4% being lost under severe roasting.
    Source

    Choose your roast based on your personal preferences, not based on caffeine content.

    Roasting does have an effect on chlorogenic acid content - possibly what contributes to many of coffee's purported health effects, but another study also shows that caffeine is relatively unaffected by roast level.

    On the other hand the Robusta coffee plant varietal has significantly more caffeine than the Arabica varietal. Robusta coffee beans are used primarily for espresso blends and to make instant coffee.

    How Caffeine Metabolizes in the Human Body

    Once a person consumes caffeine the body starts to metabolize it and this takes place in the person's liver. The result is three different metabolites. These three metabolites include paraxanthine (84%), theobromine (12%) and theophylline (4%).

    In the first 45 minutes after consumption of the caffeine it is likely absorbed by the stomach and small intestine and begins to spread throughout the tissues of the human body.

    Caffeine's Classification by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

    Considered safe for human consumption by the FDA, caffeine is classified as a food substance with multiple uses.

    All About Caffeine in Coffee - Investigating the Side Effects of Caffeine and the Symptoms of Withdrawal from Caffeine continued:

    Caffeine is a stimulant and is known scientifically as a xanthine alkaloid. When it is isolated from its source it is a crystalline white substance and is very bitter.

    How does caffeine affect the human body?

    Caffeine affects the human body by creating chemical changes in the human brain with a whole variety of effects including an enhanced alertness and energy level.

    The way this is enhanced energy and alertness is achieved by the chemical caffeine is that the caffeine pretends, or mimics, another compound which is called adenosine.

    The caffeine then binds on to the adenosine receptors in the brain with the effect of halting the true adenosine from doing its job which normally would be to slow down the body's nerve impulses and bring a very sleepy feeling to the person, a natural drowsiness that is warded off by the effects of caffeine.

    Can Caffeine Increase the Effectiveness of Drugs?

    Yes, some drugs may have an enhanced effectiveness when affected by caffeine. For example, some headache drugs include caffeine in their contents in order to help the effectiveness. This may be related to the vasodilating effects of caffeine.

    Caffeine may be used in combination with ergotamine to treat cluster headaches and migraines. Some people prefer to use caffeine to overcome the sleepy qualities they feel when taking antihistamines.

    Does Caffeine Have Any Hepatoprotective Properties?

    Caffeine doesn't specifically, but coffee does.

    However, some people who have shown to be at high risk for liver disease have been shown to have less severe liver injury associated with increasing caffeine consumption. This may include people with obesity, hemochromatosis and alcoholisms. [source]

    Because of this, people who drink coffee but want to quit caffeine may want to look into decaf coffee instead of cutting out coffee entirely, so that they can continue to benefit from its health protecting properties.

    Does Caffeine Have Any Topical Uses?

    Yes, some studies completed on ex vivo hair follicles have shown that caffeine may decrease hair growth suppression in vitro due to testosterone. In this regard caffeine may be a potential therapeutic agent in Androgenic alopecia, and caffeine has been added by some companies to their soap and shampoos.

    What are the natural sources of caffeine?

    Caffeine is found in nature in a wide array of plants, and it is found in plant fruits as well as plant leaves. This includes: cocoa beans, tea leaves, coffee beans and kola nuts. Less common sources are yaupon holly, guaryusa, yerba mate and guarana berries.

    Caffeine often serves to help the plant by working as a natural pesticide against harmful predators on the plant such as insects.

    What Products Contain Caffeine, and How Much?

    A tablet of Excedrin contains about sixty-five milligrams of caffeine while a regular strength caffeine tablet has about one hundred milligrams of caffeine. There are two hundred milligrams of caffeine in an extra-strength caffeine tablet.

    Another example of a common product with plenty of caffeine in it is chocolate. There are about ten milligrams of caffeine in an average milk chocolate bar. Dark chocolate, by comparison, may have about 30 milligrams of caffeine.

    There are some dark chocolate bars that have as much as 160 milligrams of caffeine so it can vary considerably by the type and the quality of the chocolate.

    Six ounces of a typical green tea will contain about thirty milligrams of caffeine while the very same amount of black tea will have about fifty milligrams of caffeine.

    Amount of Caffeine in Coffee continued: You will get about thirty-four milligrams of caffeine from 12 ounces of Coke while a Mountain Dew will give you a whopping 54 milligrams of caffeine. A Red Bull energy drink has about eighty milligrams of caffeine while a Monster energy drink has about 160 milligrams of caffeine.

    Withdrawal from Caffeine and Human Tolerance To Caffeine

    People who consistently consume caffeine will gradually adapt to the continuous presence of the chemical in their body by increasing their overall number of adenosine receptors in their central nervous system. This occurs since caffeine functions as an antagonist to the receptors in the central nervous system for the neurotransmitter adenosine.

    Tolerance adaptation to caffeine has the effect over time of reducing the chemical's stimulatory effects. These adaptive responses to caffeine also have the effect of making the person more sensitive to adenosine, and thus when the intake of caffeine is reduced then the adenosine's natural physiological effects will create withdrawal symptoms.

    Of 49 symptom categories identified, the following 10 fulfilled validity criteria: headache, fatigue, decreased energy/activeness, decreased alertness, drowsiness, decreased contentedness, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and foggy/not clearheaded. In addition, flu-like symptoms, nausea/vomiting, and muscle pain/stiffness were judged likely to represent valid symptom categories.

    In experimental studies, the incidence of headache was 50% and the incidence of clinically significant distress or functional impairment was 13%. Typically, onset of symptoms occurred 12-24 h after abstinence, with peak intensity at 20-51 h, and for a duration of 2-9 days. In general, the incidence or severity of symptoms increased with increases in daily dose; abstinence from doses as low as 100 mg/day produced symptoms.

    Research is reviewed indicating that expectancies are not a prime determinant of caffeine withdrawal and that avoidance of withdrawal symptoms plays a central role in habitual caffeine consumption.

    Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15448977

    Debate Over Adenosine Receptors, Tolerance and Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms

    There is some debate in scientific circles about the increase in adenosine receptors being the main cause of building up tolerance to caffeine's stimulating effects, with some evidence pointing toward a conclusion that there are also other causes at work which help to explain people developing a tolerance to large doses of caffeine.

    The Discoverer of Caffeine

    The evidence is a bit fuzzy but some say that the stimulating effects of caffeine are mentioned in Chinese legends dating to about 3,000 years ago.

    Firmer evidence comes from 600 BCE as a Mayan pot dating to this time contains the first clear evidence of a cocoa bean, so we know caffeine was around by this time for sure.

    Who First Isolated Caffeine from Coffee?

    In 1819 the German chemist Friedlieb Runge became the first scientist to successfully isolate the chemical caffeine from coffee beans. Less than one year later the French chemist Pelletier and another scientist named Caventou also isolated the chemical caffeine, and Pelletier was the one to coin the word โ€œcafeineโ€ which he derived from the word โ€œcafeโ€ meaning coffee.

    Who Opened the First Coffee House?

    As early as 1530 there were coffeehouses in Damascus, Syria and Istanbul.

    What began the spread of coffee all around the world?

    In the 1600s the Dutch became the first people to carry coffee from the ancient port of Mocha. This movement of coffee by the Dutch began the rapid spread of coffee beans around the globe and it is still spreading, most recently growing rapidly in consumption in China and other emerging markets.

    The Dutch were also industrious in cultivating coffee in other locations, first in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1658.

    Caffeine withdrawal

    Regular caffeine consumption reduces sensitivity to caffeine. When caffeine intake is reduced, the body becomes oversensitive to adenosine. In response to this oversensitiveness, blood pressure drops dramatically, causing an excess of blood in the head (though not necessarily on the brain), leading to a caffeine withdrawal headache.

    This headache, well known among coffee drinkers, usually lasts from one to five days, and can be alleviated with analgesics such as aspirin. It is also alleviated with caffeine intake (in fact several analgesics contain caffeine dosages).

    Even small amounts of caffeine (such as a green tea, compared to a full coffee) can do wonders to alleviate a withdrawal-induced headache.

    The source of caffeine is important to consider as well. Coffee is generally considered to be healthy, due in part to its anti-oxidant properties. However, energy drinks and unregulated supplements may contain any number of other compounds that can have a negative impact, often working synergistically with caffeine.

    Caffeine on its own, particularly coffee, is associated with an overall decrease in all-cause-mortality [4]. Simply put, this means that people who drink coffee are less likely to die from all causes.

    Caffeine withdrawal symptoms

    Often, people who are reducing caffeine intake report being irritable, unable to work, nervous, restless, and feeling sleepy, as well as having a headache. Many of these symptoms mirror having the cold or flu.

    1. Headache
    2. Sleepiness
    3. Irritability
    4. Fatigue, lethargy
    5. Constipation
    6. Depression
    7. Muscle stiffness, cramping
    8. Brain fog, Inability to focus
    9. Cold-like symptoms
    10. Anxiety

    In extreme cases, nausea and vomiting has also been reported. These are very real experiences [1], and despite recurring jokes, can cause problems with normal functioning. If you experience severe symptoms, seek medical advice.

    Is Caffeine Withdrawal Real?

    In short: Yes. Negative effects from quitting caffeine have been scientifically documented in clinical studies.

    Of 49 symptom categories identified, the following 10 fulfilled validity criteria: headache, fatigue, decreased energy/activeness, decreased alertness, drowsiness, decreased contentedness, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and foggy/not clearheaded. In addition, flu-like symptoms, nausea/vomiting, and muscle pain/stiffness were judged likely to represent valid symptom categories. [1]

    Additionally, caffeine withdrawal is recognized by psychiatrists as a real disorder.

    Caffeine withdrawal is a recognized disorder and is listed in the DSM-5. (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)

    How Long Does Caffeine Withdrawal Last?

    The answer to this will depend on your level of consumption and the level you reduce your caffeine consumption to.

    In experimental studies, the incidence of headache was 50% and the incidence of clinically significant distress or functional impairment was 13%. Typically, onset of symptoms occurred 12-24 h after abstinence, with peak intensity at 20-51 h, and for a duration of 2-9 days. [1]

    That means you'll probably notice the start within 12-24 hours with the worst being the second day you after you quit. From there, it gradually gets better over the course of a week to a week and a half.

    Your brain is miraculously resilient and adapts to life without caffeine in just 2 short weeks. The psychological habit of drinking caffeine can take 3 to 4 weeks to break, but can also be replaced with decaf coffee or another low-caffeine drink (eg. tea).

    Reports of people having withdrawal symptoms months or years after quitting coffee or caffeine are more typically confused with general health maladies or other more drugs.

    Unrelated Symptoms

    Caffeine cessation is often associated with major lifestyle changes, and as such, it can be difficult to associated symptoms directly with caffeine withdrawal. As a best practice, you should isolate factors by making changes slowly, over time, unless under the advice and guidance of a medical professional.

    Compounding factors such as other medications, and major health events that lead to discontinuing caffeine, can have a misleading association with caffeine withdrawals.

    If symptoms such as kidney pain appears, seek immediate medical attention.

    Tingling

    There are no known mechanisms through which caffeine withdrawal may cause tingling. On the other hand, caffeine consumption can sometimes cause tingling due to restriction of blood flow to extremities.

    Back pain

    While back pain is not a symptom of caffeine withdrawal, symptoms may (re)appear when caffeine use is discontinued.

    This may be due to caffeine's reported analgesic affect on pain [3] - in english, caffeine might help alleviate (back) pain by amplifying the effect of pain killers. The re-ocurring presence of back pain may be due to synergistic effect being lost, but is unrelated to the temporary effects of withdrawal itself.

    Dealing with Caffeine Withdrawal

    The severity of caffeine withdrawal symptoms vary with how extreme the restriction, and a gradual reduction can do wonders in avoiding symptoms. Simply starting by replacing one cup of coffee with a decaf coffee or tea will provide a much smaller dose of caffeine, allowing your receptors to re-acclimate to lower levels. Drinking coffee (decaf) or other warm beverage (tea) instead of regular coffee helps psychologically with the well established habit.

    Timing large reductions in caffeine consumption is also a useful tool. Picking a time of rest and relaxation such as a weekend or vacation can lessen the burden of symptoms like brain fog and a lack of motivation.

    Hydration is also key - while coffee is a diuretic it's also mostly water, and cutting back on coffee may also inadvertently cut back on your fluid intake. Many symptoms of dehydration overlap with caffeine withdrawal including headaches, muscle soreness and leg cramping, irritability and lethargy.

    Without caffeine blocking your adenoseine receptors, your body's built up levels of adenosine will lead to a lot of sleepiness. Get lots of rest! Scientists are still puzzled by why humans need sleep, aside from getting tired. According to some research from the NIH (National Institutes of Health) has indicated that sleep enables your brain to drain built-up chemical by products of working so hard (you little genius), which is good for you!

    Advil or Tylenol can be an effective method of dealing with the coffee withdrawal headache and muscle pain. Other natural pain relievers such as running / exercise and even an orgasm can provide temporary relief by dilating blood vessels in the brain.

    The best solution may not be totally ceasing caffeine consumption though. Coffee does have health benefits, as it contains over 1000 known compounds, with many associated with lowering blood pressure and improving cardiac function, as well as liver protection [2]. Generally, the best coffees are grown at higher elevations will develop more healthy chlorogenic acids that are present in higher concentrations in light roasts than dark roasts. If you're a dark roast lover however, darker roasts cause less stomach acid production. A decaffeinated coffee with just 5-25 mg of caffeine will still retain a lot of its healthy chemicals and will provide health benefits in medium and dark roasts.

    With these tips you can reduce the caffeine in your body and avoid the rebound of a caffeine withdrawal.

    References

    [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15448977

    [2] Coffee Consumption Decreases Risks for Hepatic Fibrosis and Cirrhosis: A Meta-Analysis
    http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0142457

    [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22419343

    [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28697850

    Caffeine and Health. J. E. James, Academic Press, 1991. Progress in Clinical and Biological Research Volume 158. G. A. Spiller, Ed. Alan R. Liss Inc, 1984.

    Xie et al โ€œSleep initiated fluid flux drives metabolite clearance from the adult brain.โ€ Science, October 18, 2013. DOI: 10.1126/science.1241224

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. User

      April 27, 2011 at 4:36 pm

      re: Quit cold turkey on Easter Sunday

      I went cold turkey on Easter Sunday sort of by accident -- forgot about drinking any coffee while getting ready for company. Woke up Sunday morning after not drinking a cup for nearly 24 hours, and then it was too late. Intense, horrific headache, total nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, crushing muscle pains and sensitive skin, nerves. I could not eat or drink or sit up for more than a few minutes at a time, couldn't walk straight, dry heaves, etc. until about 6 pm that day. I am nearly 60 years old, a life long addict to coffee. I've quit many times. But this time I realised that coffee is going to kill me if I don't stop. It's been 3 days now, going on the 4th. The headache and nausea are mostly gone, but have horrific muscle pains that are frightening me, I've never had them before. I would love to know what the biochemical or metabolic pathways are that are causing this. I also wish I knew what percentage of the population has this much sensitivity. I also do believe that quitting means you have to quit all forms of caffeine. No caffeine, period. Otherwise you just wind up on a treadmill of chugging tea or craving chocolate all day long. Strange addiction. I wish all of you the very best success, hang in there, you can do it. I know the rewards are huge, as I did it once before, after about a month you begin to feel soooo great. Unfortunately I began to drink it again, just for the taste, thinking it was harmless. It is not. This is a powerful, powerful drug and you will become a slave to it. Take care.

      Reply
    2. Denise

      April 27, 2011 at 4:35 pm

      re: Hi Chris!

      Hello Chris - LOL, before I even respond to your post, I have to admit something pathetic. I already screwed this up! I've been traveling for the last week and unfortunately, I had 2 cups of coffee after midnight on a horrible long flight. But I'm picking up the pieces and going cold turkey tomorrow, April 28th.

      As for what to expect, I would have to say that it's not going to be pleasant, Chris, but you can do it! I'm sick of my own inability to just get rid of this crap once and for all and like you, I'm grateful to know that someone else is going to be toughing it out at the same time. I will check in with everyone next Thursday and let you know how it goes. Good luck to you and I hope we can both do this once and for all.

      Reply
    3. Ryan

      April 27, 2011 at 6:25 am

      re: Mt Dew withdrawal

      Mt Dew was my drug of chocie for 10 years, on and off, anywhere from a single 16 oz bottlr a day to 2+liters a day. I stopped cold turkey about April 1st. I had done this a few times in the past but slowly went back to it because it helps me work as a writer. The buzz helped me get work done! But now its 4/26 and for last 7 days or so I have been dealing with mild headache all day, and depression, or lack of ambition. Deadlines looming, but no energy or desire to do the work. General malaise, it sucks. I am glad I found this site, and I am sure its caffeine related. I have no urge for the green nectar of the Gods anymore, but want my ambition back! I am eating alot of dark chocolate, but more for the sweet tooth urge than for any caffeine that might be in it. I wonder if this will prolong the symptoms??

      Thanks everyone who has posted, its all helpful.

      Reply
    4. Chris

      April 27, 2011 at 5:11 am

      re: Hey, I was on this site

      Hey, I was on this site tonight browsing the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal because I am also quitting cold turkey tomorrow (4/27/11) and wanted to know what to expect. But I just wanted to wish you luck and support! For me, it makes it easier knowing someone else is going to be doing the same thing, and I just wanted to say stick to your guns!

      Reply
    5. Molly

      April 27, 2011 at 1:47 am

      re: I give everyone who is trying

      I give everyone who is trying to break this habit a lot of credit. A few years ago I went 17 days without caffeine and felt great. Looking back, I don't know why I starting drinking it again (I drink soda, not coffee). So, I am starting again as of today and have the worst headache ever. I took a codeine, which I have for extreme cramps once a month, and it hasn't helped! That's how bad this withdrawal is. I don't know how I will be able to get anything done until the symptoms are over. Here's hoping we all can persevere!

      Reply
    6. EW

      April 26, 2011 at 9:57 pm

      re: Caffeine withdrawal

      Hey Casey,

      I too have gone thru this since Christmas...I would love to talk to you please....

      My email is rubberbark@yahoo.com...Thanks in advance.

      Eric

      Reply
    7. Vincent

      April 24, 2011 at 11:54 pm

      re: It Can Take A While

      I was reading a few articles yesterday regarding the length of withdrawal symptoms and was surprised to find that for long-term users, it may take up to a year to really get over it. This would make sense for someone like me who never went a day without plenty of caffeine for 30+ years.

      I just completed my first month with absolutley 0 caffeine and many of the extreme symptoms are gone, but I believe that there may be many things going on inside me that I am not aware of such as adrenal fatigue and low sertonin levels etc that was caused by coffee. I am still quite anxious although I think I was kindof anxious even before I started drinking coffee, but never the less. I am committed to staying away for life and to tell you the truth I really dont miss it much now. I have a cup of substitute coffee every morning and it works out fine.

      FYI, I started "experimenting" with supplements for anxiety and if anyone is interested, I will report back with my findings in a few weeks.

      Reply
    8. Denise

      April 24, 2011 at 2:36 pm

      re: Thank you, Casey!

      Hi Casey - thank you so much for your thoughtful post. It's great that you have been successful quitting caffeine; you give hope to the rest of us. I've been reading and posting to this site for a very long time. My caffeine addiction has been part of my daily life since I started drinking black coffee when I was 15 years old. I am in my 40s now, and still battling the addiction. It embarrasses me to admit that I went through two pregnancies drinking coffee and I've "quit" more times than I can remember. I'm currently drinking a cup every morning, but honestly - it doesn't make me happy any more. I hate the coffee breath, the "need" to brew a pot every morning (even for only 1 cup) and the knowledge that I really, truly do still have an addiction.

      Although I've done this a zillion times before, I am hereby making a vow to all of you, my cyber buddies, that I'm going to go cold turkey again this coming Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Monday and Tuesday contain prior commitments which will include being sociable, i.e., drinking coffee. But beginning Wednesday, I'm going caffeine-free and I hope I can be like you, Casey, and Kikaida, and post here after a few months that I have once and for all given up the hot cup of pain. Thanks again for posting your success stories and giving hope to the rest of us who still suffer. Hugs to all. And thank you, Daniel. Denise in Wisconsin

      Reply
    9. Casey

      April 22, 2011 at 11:11 pm

      re: It gets better I swear!

      Hi all, I posted on here several months ago that I had given up a coffee habit that consisted of about 5-6 cups of coffee daily for many years. I basically went cold turkey after a stomach bug, and went through weeks of hell that included fatigue, headaches, depression, anxiety, hot and cold flashes, insomnia, inability to concentrate, nausea and no appetite, muscle and joint pains, dry mouth, etc. I have a history of anxiety and take a low dose of paxil (10mg) daily but this did NOTHING to minimize these symptoms. I couldn't believe this could all be from caffeine until I researched it some more and found this site among others. Unbelievable! Well I am now largely recovered from all of the above. I sleep great, wake up with no headache, dry mouth is completely gone, depression and anxiety have resolved (I also went back to therapy so I'm sure that helped) I still experience a little fatigue but I lead a very busy life and that certainly contributes. I drink a cup or two of decaf a day because I love the taste of coffee but I'm thinking I'm going to give that up soon as well. Every now and then I eat chocolate but I regret it afterwards. I know there's a little bit of caffeine in decaf but other than that I'm caffeine free which is amazing. Hang in there people! I suffered horribly and thought I was going to be committed but it really does pass...exercise, fresh air, and lots of water are also wonderful antidotes. Good luck!

      Reply
    10. hike2mountaintop

      April 22, 2011 at 10:58 pm

      re: Off caffeine now for 19 days.

      Things do improve once the withdrawals process is complete. I suggest that you try to get plenty of rest. Lay in bed even if you aren't sleeping. This will be a down time in your life and there will be hardcore body aches and general irritability, but hang in there. A lot of it will pass with time, though time will seem to go very slowly. Our bodies need to rest during this down time. I slept/laid in bed for many hours, got up, and then went back to sleep. I slept after work during the 1st week of quitting. Try to do things that you liked before quitting caffeine. Being part of a routine helped to keep me going. I tried to remember that I used to like these things before I quit caffeine. It's important to add new things to your life once the addiction is kicked so that you don't sit around hoping for the World to stimulate you. You'll have to find a way to do it on your own. I now have a lot more energy than before. Things aren't so intense, but there's a nice calmness around me. It takes time to get used to this feeling. Our fight or flight response will be there when we need or want it. We don't need it for a prolonged period of time like after we ingest caffeine. Caffeine is hard on the body by depleting it of its vital life force over time. Life always seems to turns on us. One day it seems good, and then the next day there could be a crisis. Just remember that everything always changes, including the pain of withdrawal. I truly believe that my life is now better without being so jacked up all the time. My mood and awareness is a lot more stable, and my body is feeling stronger than it has in years. I'm not jumping through things, just to get to the next thing. I once again enjoy the taste of water. I think that I was perpetually in a state of dehydration when I was so into caffeine. Best wishes to all those trying to quit caffeine.

      Reply
    11. John

      April 21, 2011 at 4:47 pm

      re: I think you are right

      I think this happens to a lot more than people realize. Often times it happnes in reverse to. We start drinking coffee to keep with lifes demands or to push harder than the next guy...only problem is nothing is free when it comes to our brains. Eventually the caffie starts effecting our sleep and pretty soon we find we are in a little funk. Now our old friend doesn't seem to work like it used to. Then if you try and quit cold turkey you find out that your brain is not very happen about the new state of affiars.

      Reply
    12. User

      April 21, 2011 at 3:24 pm

      re: #7 off the bean juice.

      At only 18yrs of age- It was time to give up the coffee!

      From having 10 hits of caffeine per day- to none!

      I have had headache's every day, hot and cold body, aching lower back and neck, biting finger nails, not to mention light headed feeling/diziness, constant sleepiness and blackouts.

      It is really really difficult.

      Especially as I drank coffee instead of eating because who has time to eat? Now I am off it- I'm like a normal hungry person....my body is yes, freaking out from food! starting to get better though ๐Ÿ™‚

      Is De-caf coffee ok? I was thinking about giving it a try as I love the taste of coffee...???????????

      Reply
    13. User

      April 21, 2011 at 2:24 pm

      re: It's not withdrawal.

      Hey gang. I've also kicked the cofee habit and can relate to a lot of what I'm reading, but there are a few threads talking about persistent withdrawals for months and this thread is even climing withdrawals for over a year. Let me set this straight. These are not withdrawal symptoms. You have not replaced your morning pick me up with a change in lifestyle and attitude.

      I have a PhD in medicinal chemsitry and drug addiction and withdrawal is an area that I have a lot of interest in. Your brain will rewire itself to not having cofee completely and totally within 2 weeks time. The bulk of it is done int he first 5 days. Consider that.

      So why are you still having these symptoms and what can you do to get rid of them? Well the single best way I have discovered to beat the blues is exercise. Get up first thing in the mornign and go do a hot yoga class at 6:00 am before work....I can almost gaurantee you that you will have a much lighter mood the rest of the day. If yoga is to 'eastern' for you then hit the gym first thing in the mornig before work. Bust your butt in there and it will have the same benefit.

      You see exercise causes your body to synthesis and release more of the exact same chemicals that coffee does. Namely dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. The adenosine pathway has long since reregulated itself. What you are missing now is the explosion of feel good chemicals that coffee gave you everyday. You became addicted not just to the physical efects of coffee but also to feeling great without having to work for it.... It's not natural to feel high on life without exerting some effort...Feeling depressed and blue is your bodies way of saying hey, I wasn't mean to sit in a cubile all day...give me a reason to live! Depression is a great tool for bringing about change in our lives...

      Cafiene addiciton is real, but don't make it more than it is. Anyone considering giving up the mornign joe should give a lot of consideration to relacing it with morning exercise. You will get far more REAL energy from it....and it will also help your brain repair itself much faster as the higher metabolism causes a much higher turn over rate of your brains natural amphetamines...

      Cheers

      Reply
    14. KennyM

      April 20, 2011 at 12:58 am

      re: I hear ya

      Hang in there. I've quit coffee several times. Always bad withdrawals. it's clear and beautiful on the other side. If you can kick cigs, you can do this. I am giving up coffee now for good. I'm sick of being a slave to the drug. Actually. I have a splitting headache and some anxiety to start. All the best to you.

      Reply
    15. KennyC

      April 20, 2011 at 12:38 am

      re: hang in there.
      drink lots of

      hang in there.

      drink lots of water. I quit coffee several times with lots of withdrawals. you gotta just hang in there and the symptoms will fade.

      Reply
    16. MikkiSkye

      April 19, 2011 at 5:43 pm

      re: Caffeine Substitute - Ginseng?

      I have been drinking 16-20 oz cup of coffee every morning for the last 18 years with the occasional latte in the afternoon and decided to quick cold turkey today. I am amazed I am doing ok, but I am sure it will hit tomorrow. I got my normal headache at 10am when I don't drink my coffee; took two advil and I am ok. I suffer with anxiety and take anti-anxiety medication everyday so I am hoping that might help with the anxiety side effects people are mentioning. I also hope by eliminating caffeine that I will be able to not take anti-anxiety medication any longer. I was wondering if anyone has switched to drinking or taking Ginseng in order to combat the fatigue and listless feeling of not having the caffeine. I definitely don't want to trade one habit for another but it seems to be healthy with a lot of good benefits. Thanks to everyone who has written there story, it helps so much to know people are out there going through the same situation.

      Reply
    17. Lisa

      April 19, 2011 at 2:49 pm

      re: Day 8

      Day 8 no coffee and I feel ok although still groggy in the morning. I have had to drink diet cola with caffeine at work but its about 26mg for half a bottle vs 300mg for a large dunkin donut coffee I was drinking. I have also drank green tea for a couple days but its just not the same. I am hoping to get to a point where I can wake up and feel rested and alert. I guess I still have a ways to go..

      Anne - regarding the anxiety- Could there possibly be other underlying issues of why you have anxiety? I suffer from it as well and had to really self-evaluate myself and my thoughts. I did this by going to therapy for a few sessions and she guided me towards a path of meditation which makes you observe your thoughts. You learn to view them objectively and not to let them take you down a path to panic.

      Reply
    18. kikaida

      April 18, 2011 at 8:33 am

      re: re: Great Job Kikaida

      Hi there,

      It's been 5 months now that I've been off caffeine and my depression/anxiety is gone. I don't have anymore cravings or withdrawals. I feel normal and happy again. I have eaten very small pieces of chocolate here and there but nothing more. No more caffeinated beverages for me. I don't want to ever go through caffeine withdrawals ever again. By remembering the hell that I had to go through with caffeine withdrawals has kept me clean and sober. I compare caffeine addiction to any other drug addication like alcohol or illegal drugs usage. One good thing about getting off caffeine is that I don't have to run the the restroom every hour throughout the day and night to pee. The only advice that I can give is that you have to have strong will power and distract yourself everytime you have a craving. Substituting another type of beverage instead of caffeine has helped me get over caffeine addiction. Hang in there folks.

      Kikaida

      Reply
    19. ml1227

      April 17, 2011 at 12:28 pm

      re: Great Job Kikaida

      Thats great that you made it through withdrawal. It was a long hard road for you. How is your depression and aniexty. I am still craving coffee. Where you able to get over the cravings. Thats the hardest part for me. The thought of not drinking coffee again depresses me.

      Reply
    20. anne

      April 16, 2011 at 5:50 am

      re: how are you now

      Hi

      How are going now? Are you improving at all?

      Reply
    21. anne

      April 16, 2011 at 2:36 am

      re: What do you think?

      It's 10 1/2 weeks since I had to go off caffeine. Don't want to talk about the symptoms but wondering if anyone else found the anxiety, panic and disrupted sleep lasting longer than the other symptoms. IT's almost 3 months now. You keep telling yourself you should be feeling better and should be more positive minded. Does the anxiety leave slowly or suddenly and does getting up and making yourself do things help?

      Reply
    22. anne

      April 16, 2011 at 2:20 am

      re: when did your anxiety go if you had any

      Hi So glad to hear your home and hosed. Free of symptomsรขโ‚ฌยฆ. how wonderful that sounds. Did you have panic and anxiety and if so when did it go?

      Reply
    23. User

      April 16, 2011 at 2:02 am

      re: I felt the tingling in my

      I felt the tingling in my head when I first started dirinking coffee. I work at a school and the school nurse ask me if I had coffee. She told me that would cause that feeling. I have given up coffee and feel miserable. I am dizzy and have nausea. I have slight headaches and feel anxious. I obviously should have listened to the nurse and stopped while I was ahead of this addiction.

      Reply
    24. Vincent

      April 14, 2011 at 3:27 pm

      re: Eliminate all sources of caffeine

      I appreciate your attempts to wean yourself off of coffee, but you have not really given up the drug until you actively eliminate all sources of caffeine. It's been 4 weeks for you and you have made great progress. I think it's time to consider going cold turkey at some point. If not, you may find yourself back at 20 cups a day in the future. I wish you the best!

      Reply
    25. Brian

      April 11, 2011 at 9:39 pm

      re: Great topic to blog on.
      I am

      Great topic to blog on.

      I am down to 1 cup of black and green tea, decaf coffee and chocolate.

      All of the symptoms I went through, flu-like, headache that lasted a week, dizziness, even stomach and leg twitched during a chess match game.

      At least without regular coffee, I am not getting that heartbeat racing thing, but my mind is still racing at times. One day at a time, I have cut back a little bit more every day. At first when I started quitting, yes I did drink coffee and tea just to get to sleep, after putting it off until late in the day.

      Reply
    26. Chris Tucker

      April 11, 2011 at 9:41 am

      re: Thankful for these comments

      I quite had been taking รขโ‚ฌล“No-Dozรขโ‚ฌย on top of several cups of coffee, soda, and energy drinks for months. I work full time, go to school fulltime, and have a demanding home life so I felt justified in consuming this quantity of caffeine. Well, I overdid it and one morning bottomed out with a severe anxiety attach. Crying and worrying that I was going to die and leave my son fatherless. This prompted me to dump the No-Doz. The nest week I kept drinking other caffeine products but realized I needed to stop that too. For 2 days I reduced my consumption to one cup of coffee in the AM then none. I have had severe headaches and anxiety attacks รขโ‚ฌโ€œ mostly in the middle of the night and in the morning. Yesterday I could not stand the pain and anxiety so I had half a Red Bull and just like magic felt fine. Today I will try to make it all day without help and use Tylenol to sooth the pain. My muscles and joints ache terrible รขโ‚ฌโ€œ esp. in my neck, shoulders, and lower back. I have zero ambition and cannot focus log enough to edit my essay that is due next week. I feel like I want to vomit all the time and there is constant pressure in my head. What a terrible combination of symptoms รขโ‚ฌโ€œ it does feel like the flu but worse. Funny thing is I quit smoking pot 2 years ago after heavy long term use and the withdrawal was almost exactly the same รขโ‚ฌโ€œ though there was more gastrointestinal distress when withdrawing from pot. Anyway, I thought I was losing my mind until I read these posts. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

      Reply
    27. Lisa

      April 10, 2011 at 5:12 pm

      re: The start of my journey

      I am starting my journey to get off coffee today after being addicted for 17 years. I am 34 yrs old, on 2 blood pressure pills and want to begin trying for a baby by the end of this year. I am sick of being dependant on caffeine. I am sick of the headaches and grogginess. I am sick of having to get up every morning and search for my "drug". Most of all, I want to be healthy and not have to succumb my baby to BP medications or caffeine. My main concern right now is being able to function at work where being accurate is very crucial. However, I need to do this. Thank you for all your comments. Here I go...

      Reply
    28. hike2mountaintop

      April 09, 2011 at 1:22 am

      re: Caffeine Withdrawals Are So Real

      I feel happy to know that I'm experiencing common caffeine withdrawals. Thanks for this website. Most websites aren't worth it, but this one is! Caffeine withdrawals are real tough! A lot of general uneasy feelings, from physical to mental. Physically, lot's of trouble sleeping. Lying in bed for hours, tossing and turning, and turning and turning. Leg cramps in bed, almost feeling like there's electricity flowing through my legs. Stretching doesn't help. Melatonin does not help. I would normally fall into a deep sleep with melatonin. Now, no affects at all! I had a headache the 1st day and that is now gone. There is still pressure in my chest and head, but not throbbing. All I've wanted to do for the past 5 days is to sleep...sleep...sleep. It's easier to sleep during the day because the leg cramps aren't as bad. Hot and then cold at night. Very little ambition to do much. I felt/feel like I have a terrible flu, weekness, muscle and joint stiffness. I'm an athlete and don't even feel like doing anything. I feel 20 years older than last month. I feel stiff like a board. Mentally, really tired in the brain, sloppy, sluggist, not well coordinated, not sad but definitely not happy, not knowing why I do any of it, and finding ordinary life simply a "bummer." I try to keep to my routines and this helps me to get through the day. I trust my routines and know that I will enjoy it all again once the withdrawals end. The body pain really stinks. I've always felt healthy for most of my life. I want to lay down bot know that won't ease the pain. 5 days without caffeine now. I was able to genuinely laugh today for the 1st time without caffeine...and feel it. I know that things will get better. I have been reading a lot about caffeine withdrawal and see that it's definitely withdrawing from a drug addiction. I wasn't drinking coffee, soda, or eating chocolate. I was drinking copious amounts of Yerba Mate. I had an infection from dental work and was taking pain killers. I drank more and more Yerba Mate to feel like myself, and burned my body out. All the companies who sell Yerba Mate love to talk it up and tell us how healthy it is, and how it has "matine" and not caffeine. That's hog wash! There are a lot of healthy minerals in it though...that's a fact. One serving is 6 grams which has 80 mg. of caffeine. Nobody drinks 6 gm.! 24 gm. is probably a typical serving which equates to 320 mg. of caffeine. Drink this a few times a day and one can easily consume 600-700 mg. a day. Funny how many people don't consider caffeine a drug. Here's a good website I found on the effects of caffeine. Here is one of the paragraphs from the article. "The effects of caffeine on the body are well researched, but you never hear about it in your newspaper. You never hear about it anywhere because the whole nation, if not the whole world, is addicted to caffeine. Doctors, journalists, scientists, writers, everyone drinks coffee. Those whose job is to inform us are usually heavy coffee drinkers. And few of them ever rise up to speak against this popular drug. But one did, his name is Stephen Cherniske, and he's a scientist who spent 10 years of his life researching the effects of caffeine on the body and compiling them in a shocking document, "Caffeine Blues."

      Anyway, thanks for the website!

      Reply
    29. Denise

      April 05, 2011 at 5:23 pm

      re: Hi Kikaida and Patrice!ร‚  Yes,

      Hi Kikaida and Patrice! Yes, congratulations to you, Kikaida! Good for you - it's nice to read that you've finally overcome the caffeine. Like Patrice, I've been drinking coffee again. ๐Ÿ™ I don't have a good reason other than I guess I'm just not strong enough yet. I allow myself exactly one cup each morning and that's it. Also, like Patrice, I've lost count of the number of times I've tried to quit "forever" ... I always come back to coffee. I'm not proud to post this, but I'm being honest. I've gotten to the point in my life where that one cup, although it's no good for me, makes me happy and not a cranky, tired and head-achy person ... miserable to be around.

      I hope that someday I can just walk away from caffeine, but not yet. My very best wishes to you all and again, Kikaida - way to go! Congratulations!

      Reply
    30. gordonbj

      April 05, 2011 at 3:00 pm

      re: Caffeine withdrawal

      Gave up coffee 4 weeks back. I drank about twenty cups of coffee and tea a day up to that point.I still drink tea but have been getting deep headaches above the eyes, also heavy eyed at times and began wearing sunglasses when looking at pc screen and reading under artificial light. Still occassionally, whilst out, buy myself a latte but only one a day. Question is should I give up tea as well at this point or just leave off the coffee till my body adjusts?

      Reply
    31. EDDIE

      April 04, 2011 at 9:28 pm

      re: IM TO AT MY 4TH MONTH OF CAFFEINE WITHDRAWAL

      ITS GOOD WE QUIT I FEEL HEALTHY ALSO AND I HAVENT HAD NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CAFFEINE SINCE JAN I QUIT FOR GOOD.ALSO DID YOU FEEL WEIRD WHEN YOU QUIT LIKE YOUR MIND WAS NOT RIGHT COULDNT FOCUS AT ALL AND YOU HEAD FEELS LIGHT AND CLEAR.I WAS DRINKING CAFFEINE HEAVY SINCE I WAS 16 IM 29 NOW. ALSO I CANT BELIEVE THAT 92% OF MY PAIN WENT AWAY. WHEN I QUIT IT STARTED OFF AS FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS THEN I WAS HAVING PANIC ATTACKS BECAUSE OFF THE SYMTOMS BUT NOW THERE GONE ALL THE WAY.IM DOING EVERYTHING I HAVE TO DO TAKING VITAMINS AND EXERCISING LIKE HELL AND IM SO HEALTHY NOW ITS SCARYYYYYYYYYYYYY.BUT ANYWAY IF YOU READ THIS JUST LET ME NO DID YOU FEEL SPACED OUT IN YOUR MIND LIKE ME THOUGHTS FELT DIFFERENT WHEN THE CAFFEINE WAS GONE THERE NOT RACING ANYMORE SO JUST GIVE ME A HOLLA BACK

      Reply
    32. Patricepl

      April 04, 2011 at 8:38 pm

      re: Congratulations Kikaida!

      I am so glad to hear that your symptoms are gone, and you are finally experiencing good health being caffeine free!! From your posts in the past, I know it has been a difficult journey for you.......so glad that you persevered.

      I, on the other hand, have gone back to drinking coffee again. (sigh)

      Today is the beginning of my caffeine free journey once again.........I lost count of the number of times I've tried to quit. I'm determined this time, because of some health issues that persist because of my caffeine consumption.

      You give me hope that I can do it. Four months seems so long from now, but it will be worth it in the end.

      You give me inspiration!!

      Patrice

      Reply
    33. kikaida

      April 02, 2011 at 4:44 pm

      re: Update: 4 months

      After 4 months of going through hell with caffeine withdrawals, my symptoms are gone. I feel normal. It wasn't easy at all, but it was worth it because now my health is even better than before. The one thing I like most is that my blood pressure is normal now after giving up caffeine. Thank God!

      Reply
    34. User

      April 02, 2011 at 2:03 pm

      re: eww I feel terrible

      Hey Everyone, thanks for the posts, they've really helped me figure this out.

      I got the flu last weekend so I decided that it'd be a good time to quit drinking coffee. It's been a ride. Night sweats, a real pressure in my head like its going to cave in, even my teeth hurt. I think the symptoms are partially because of my flu, but the mind raciness and anxiety are all too much. I just took tylenol to see if it would help with the pain but it hasn't done much. I'm also very hungry and lethargic. I could stare in space all day. It's weird. But I'm 7 days in today so there's no stopping now ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    35. User

      April 02, 2011 at 1:37 pm

      re: Insomnia

      Have you ever tried Melatonin. You can buy it in pill form and it helps you get to sleep.

      Reply
    36. banshee

      April 01, 2011 at 2:26 pm

      re: Caffeine Withdrawl

      I am not a coffee junkie but I was a Chocolate Junkie. I ate chocolate everyday for the last 5 years. I decided to quit cold turkey because I am trying to conceive and want to get my body healthy. Now I'm thinking was this a mistake. It has been 14 days and I suffer from anxiety everyday. I have a Panic attack every single day since I quit! I wake up with heart palpitations, sometimes I so feel depressed, I cry for no reason. My legs are restless and I feel like Im losing my mind.My anxiety is that bad that I have now developed a phobia driving in the car and fear public places. I wish I could sue those Cadbury money making pigs. I am walking 30 minutes a day and kicking boxing 20 minutes a day and the anxiety wont fade. I am hoping these symptoms fade soon. ๐Ÿ™

      Reply
    37. Anony-mouse

      April 01, 2011 at 12:11 am

      re: Thanks for such a strong post

      Thanks for such a strong post - I just gave up caffiene due to pregnancy, and figured that I'd resume coffee after the baby arrived, but your words have me considering making it a permanant improvement.

      Reply
    38. Matt

      March 31, 2011 at 8:57 pm

      re: Agreed, very well said.ร‚  I am

      Agreed, very well said. I am on day 2 of quitting caffeine for like the third time, and I am already feeling the full effects minus the headache (thank God). I slept for about 11 hours and am still groggy and feel very unmotivated, lethargic, and basically really irritable. Thanks for the encouragement.

      Reply
    39. Niki

      March 31, 2011 at 7:42 am

      re: caffeine problems

      Other than waking up today feeling like shit and vomiting a few times having a few ppl who drive by my sisters house say i looked like death, I was lowering my intake a little. But then I I had not had any for a few days.

      Reply
    40. Niki

      March 31, 2011 at 7:33 am

      re: I have been drinking mountain

      I have been drinking mountain dew for years. It was about 12 yrs ago i started drinking more frequently. 2:30 pm monday afternoon I had drank my last 24 oz bottle. I woke up on and off last night many times. And about 9:30 am or 10 I had to go to the bathroom for the first time for about 3 hrs and vomit. I felt at first it was just a regular old migraine. I realized later it could be caffeine w/d. I'd like to see how long it takes to get better. I do love MTN DEW. My headache got a little better cuz I took some excederin. But then later got to be moderately low pain. I also have congestion from allergies so that doesnt help either. Should I be seeing a doctor? I'm visiting a relative out of state.

      Reply
    41. Vincent

      March 30, 2011 at 9:34 pm

      re: 4 days ago .....

      I decided to give up any caffiene. I probably started drinking coffee in 1981 or so, and I have had some other bad habits during this time that I gave up like smokes and alchohol, I never thought much about how dangerous coffee and caffiene truly are. I was averaging about three cups a day. The reason I had to give it up is that I had an acid reflux "episode" and was informed that coffee was a big culprit.

      Well, I have had the usual withdrawal sysmptoms that many of you have descibed here. Fatigue and flu like symptoms being the most promenent. Of course, that splitting headache was on the first couple of days. Luckily I am retired and basically walk around the house like a zombie while I let this play out.

      I am drinking plenty of water and herb teas etc. I tried jogging today, as I am an avid jogger, and my legs felt like they were stuck in mud. It's incredible what a powerful drug this is and I think most people are not aware of this. Now, for some of us who have anxiety, this "poison" is a must NOT do, and I should have realized this many years ago.

      I have read that there may be thousands of people in mental inistitutions that may not need be there if they just cut out any caffiene. Can you believe that? I do! I know that some research came out recently about the benefits of coffee and I even heard Doctor Oz promote its use. I think if he took some time to study up on the negatives, he would change his mind. So coffee contains a few elements that may help with something. I bet cigs have a few of those elements too.

      Oh just to let you know, I spent the last two days reading almost every message in this thread. For those of you who posted and never thought anyone heard your voice, dont be dismayed. I have read your words and understand your pain. Thanks to Daniel for setting up this site. The many messages here have helped me be determined to give up this drug.

      One last word - as tough as this is right now with the withdrawals, it nowhere near matches how difficult it was for me to give up smokes many years ago, but thats a whole other story.

      Reply
    42. Paul

      March 30, 2011 at 8:20 pm

      re: caffeine withdrawal

      Allmost in tears writing this, I have a headache and am down in the dumps. This is day #2 without my morning 12oz cup but I know I gotta quit this time. From passed experience I know its gonna be a couple more days for me. The headaches hopefully will be gone then it will be another week or 2 before I start to feel really good again. Ive been here before. Ill quit for a couple weeks then start feeling good and think Ive killed this beast. Then I start again. After 4 or 5 days binging Im so jacked up nobody can stand me, I cant stand myself sometimes. It has effected my work and personal and spiritual life at times. I gotta do it this time. Had to go and get smokes to take the edge off. Good luck everyone and God bless. From the great Pac NW coffee capitol of the world, signing off.

      Reply
    43. User

      March 28, 2011 at 1:25 am

      re: Yes, sound like CW (Caffiene

      Yes, sound like CW (Caffiene Withdrawl), I would know because ive been on a battle with caffiene for a little while now, I used to drink 4 liters of pepsi a day, Yes it was that bad. I were you id hang in there but dont be scared to go see a doctor if you feel strange in anytype of way. Its better to be safe than sorry.

      Wish you the best of luck.

      John.

      Reply
    44. User

      March 25, 2011 at 5:17 pm

      re: caffeine and sugar withdrawal

      I quit sugar 18 days ago and then quit caffeine 7 days ago. The withdrawal symptoms (or what I'm HOPING are withdrawal symptoms and not signs of a real illness) are HORRID! I took up jogging at the same time as quitting sugar 18 days ago because I didn't do any exercise before and I decided 2 go on a bit of a health-kick and lose some weight. The symptoms I had a first with the sugar-withdrawal were slight but frequent headaches, bloating, painful trapped wind, constipation & anxiety (tightening of chest, heart pounding, light headedness, panic). After 3 days the bloating and trapped wind and constipation stopped as I introduced more fibre to my diet but the headaches and anxiety remained! which is why I decided to quit caffeine & switch to caffeine free green tea to try and calm the anxiety but as I say its been 7 days caffeine free and it hasnt helped at all! Since stopping caffeine my headaches have changed from mild and frequent to severe and almost CONSTANT, the anxiety has not improved at all. Before I started this health kick I did suffer from anxiety but only related to my phobia, so when my phobia crept up I would get panic attacks but on a day-to-day basis I never suffered from anxiety, now I have it every day especially at nights and in morning, it lessens during the day time but it still remains. I visited my doctor a few days ago and he told me to keep up the jogging despite the heart pounding and took a blood sample to test for hypothyroidism as a close relative has a thyroid issue and this sometimes runs in families but other than that he says he doesnt think I should be tested for anything more serious because he believes the symptoms are all related to the sugar and caffeine withdrawal! Ive read online and on this forum that some doctors have said that the physical symptoms of caffeine withdrawal should last no longer than 9 days and anything after that would be pyschological only so I have 2 days left of the 9 days, but the anxiety started from before the caffeine withdrawal anyway. Sorry this is very long but I am very confused about my symptoms. I'll update if anyone is interested when I get my blood rests from the doctor next week. Thanks for reading.

      Reply
    45. Matt

      March 25, 2011 at 1:02 pm

      re: Hang in there, it will get

      Hang in there, it will get better! I had all the symptoms you had, it seems like the only real cure is TIME. I wanted to be around my parents as well and I would cry over the smallest stuff. Just keep telling yourself you aren't going crazy, its just the withdrawals. Give it 2 months and you will start to feel better. I am about 2.5weeks in and I feel quite a bit better although the anxiety and depression have yet to totally leave me alone.

      GOOD LUCK!

      Reply
    46. Matt

      March 25, 2011 at 12:59 pm

      re: Hang in there! It WILL GET

      Hang in there! It WILL GET BETTER! I had all the same symptoms you had except I didn't have much of the headaches. I found that my anxiety was much worse in the morning. It was very hard to get breakfast down. I am about 2.5 weeks in and I am starting to feel alot better. Almost like I am back to normal although I do get anxiety and depression moments from time to time yet.

      I found that going to bed at a certain time every night and waking up at a certain time every morning helped. Also drink some chamomile tea at night before bed, that seemed to help relax me. I have also been taking 50mg of Benadryl at night to help me fall asleep. I slept pretty well the last couple days but last night was a struggle, I don't know why.

      Just be patient it does get better! Eat healthy, exersize, and drink lots of fluids and you will be ok! It doesn't hurt to have a strong prayer life either! Good luck!

      Reply
    47. Matt

      March 25, 2011 at 12:52 pm

      re: Hang in there! It gets

      Hang in there! It gets better. I was actually feeling normal for the past couple of days but now I am getting anxiety again, I dunno what it is. It seems like once it hits you, its hard to get rid of it. I find it much worse in the morning when I didn't sleep well the night before. I have been taking a multivitamin every morning just to make sure I get the right stuff in my body. I find it very hard to eat when I have anxiety, it makes me nauseous. I think the anxiety is also worsened by the fact that there isnt much food in your system. All I can say is be patient and it will get better eventually. I am a little over 2 weeks in, and it has gotten much better but I do still get anxiety from time to time which is annoying.

      Reply
    48. SuperAuthor

      March 24, 2011 at 2:14 pm

      re: EXPERiMENTAL

      I'm quitting Pepsi, my lifelong mistress, and this is only days one. I'm going cold turkey, just water, no juices or weaning. I'm not expecting the bouts of depression but I'm curious to see just how long these withdrawal symptoms will last.

      Some background: I'm twenty-two years old, have been drinking Pepsi since childhood, about 2 or 3 years old. I grew up in a Pepsi household since my mom was raised on Pepsi as well, so it was just THE drink. Growing I drank little water. What water I did get was from Pepsi, or school water fountains. I never drank water bottles or went out of my way to pour a glass. If a glass was filled, it was with - you guessed it - Pepsi. So here I am today (or, rather, yesterday) drinking roughly two 2 Litre bottles a day, or about ten cans a day, give or take a couple. This is roughly 1600 calories a day, 48,000 calories a month. That's 13.7 pounds of body fat a month. I'm REALLY hoping that my body will recognize the mathematic defficiency in calories as I have and shed some of these pounds ๐Ÿ™‚ I don't even WANT to imagine how much caffeine and/or sugar because I don't want to know what damage I've done to my body. I'm just hoping that biology and nature is on my side and I can repair any harm with time.

      One thing I'm curious about; my demeanor. I was a quiet kid, not over-active, and I've always had a calm, focused mind; never scattered, never racing, never had a snappy or irritable attitude (one of those super optimistic people that makes you sick.) So will I just get completely lethargic?

      Well I'll let you all know how it went. I'm hoping that I can be a success story like the people on these responses that have inspired me! Thank you all for the stories and experiences ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    49. Say No To Joe

      March 23, 2011 at 4:53 pm

      re: Well said, Eddie.

      Well said, Eddie.

      Reply
    50. User

      March 22, 2011 at 11:24 pm

      re: This explains a lot, I was on

      This explains a lot, I was on fat burners for about a month so I was consuming around 1000 mg of caffeine a day. When I stopped taking them I thought I had a really terrible cold/flu. My whole body felt week and all my muscles were tense, not to mention a terrible headache. It's been about 5 days now and I feel a whole lot better.

      Reply
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