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.
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.
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.
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.
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 "cafeine" which he derived from the word "cafe" 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.
- Headache
- Sleepiness
- Irritability
- Fatigue, lethargy
- Constipation
- Depression
- Muscle stiffness, cramping
- Brain fog, Inability to focus
- Cold-like symptoms
- 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 "Sleep initiated fluid flux drives metabolite clearance from the adult brain." Science, October 18, 2013. DOI: 10.1126/science.1241224
User says
re: Dav, I am not sure whether
Dav, I am not sure whether the popping joints you mention are a noise or a sensation, but I definitely have had the sensation of joints popping and the noise as well with my neck joint, and I most definitely have had hair loss caused by caffeine withdrawal (for about the first 5 months or so. I suppose you are wise to get the Lyme test, but it is so difficult and I am fairly sure your symptoms are from caffeine.
jackie I know what you mean about two steps forward and one step back, I was sure my backache was gone a while ago, but it is of course back now.
So I hope we all can get this process behind as as soon as possible, I want to get back to being me and leave this horrid angry uncomfortable, ill, worn out person behind
Jackie from the U.K. says
re: Grace and Dav and Lisa and everyone
Hi, Grace, hope you're doing awap. I hadn't realised that you'd only been off caffeine for 2 months - I thought it was longer as you seem so focussed and determined - but also so supportive of others. Thanks 🙂 Yes, I would definitely go for organic dairy etc. My daughter still eats meat and limited dairy and we try to buy as much organic/free range as possible. She has a long-term illness, though, so tries to eat as well as possible. Anyway, how are you doing? I hope you're getting stronger every day and feeling better. I'm getting there but I sometimes feel like it's 2 steps forward then a step back or vice versa! But I guess that's the journey. Got to keep moving, I guess. I still haven't looked into the herbs but I will. Thanks, Grace. Jackie x P.S. Lovely name 🙂
Dav - you haven't posted for a while and I wondered how you were doing?
Lisa - hope you're hanging in there - keep going!
Good luck to all .
Jackie
User says
re: Jackie the reason I posted my
Jackie the reason I posted my 'harsh" response to Dave is because I would say or do anything that might get him to reconsider his decision to stay on anxiety meds, they ruined my and many many others' lives, and GP's are (in the main) absolutely ignorant about the side effects and the protracted nature of the withdrawal syndrome. Some people (I know 3) who have been ill for 2 years after only a few weeks use of them, and some people can be very badly affected by being on them for a few days. It depends on your metabolism and your genetic make up. So I don't apologise and I am not going to post again on the subject, I have done my best.
I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia since I came off caffeine, but thanks to this site, I know it is just caffeine withdrawal. But there again, if I went to my GP they wouldn't have a clue about caffeine withdrawal either.
User says
re: Lauren - AA doesn't encourage caffeine use
Lauren - congratulations on being sober for a year. I’m in AA too – I’ve been sober for over 20 years as part of the fellowship, so understand the recovery process well. I kind of understand what you’re saying about caffeine and sugar but I think you need to be careful about attributing the opinions held by individual members of AA as those of AA as an organisation.
In any group of people you will find individual members who will express a whole range (probably the full range) of opinions on any subject. AA is no different. I’m sure if I went to enough meetings I’d find someone who would tell me the earth was flat and the moon is really a balloon. But AA as an organisation expresses NO opinion on caffeine and sugar (or any other subject), in fact not expressing opinions is one of its “traditions”. It certainly doesn’t push or recommend anything as a “replacement” for alcohol addiction and if anyone is recommending caffeine is used for this, they are (in MY opinion) giving very bad advice.
That said, you will certainly find both sugar and caffeine used (and sometimes abused) in AA meetings. Both are mood altering and highly addictive, yet are viewed by most people as essentially harmless, so OK to use. The problem with those in AA meetings is that they are addicts. By nature they can’t easily control mind altering substances so often slip into caffeine and sugar addiction – those in recovery often find substitute addictions. This however is very different to AA actively pushing or recommending they do so. AA definitely does NOT do this.
Jackie from the U.K. says
re: To Anon number 2
Well, it was implicit that I actually meant there wouldn't be an active forum (or, rather, this thread) but, I agree, peace. I have only ever wanted to share my worries and fears etc with people who understand and, also, to try to offer support, if I can. That's why I replied to the original Anon post to Dav. to try to support him. So........how are you doing? Have you come off caffeine? How's it going? Best wishes. Jackie
User says
re: With all due respect saying
With all due respect saying "if we all emailed each other there wouldn't BE a forum" is incorrect. This website has been running for many years but occasionally gets taken over - just trying to support Dav that's all. Peace.
Jackie from the U.K. says
re: Lauren
First, congrats of being over 1 year sober - that is a massive achievement! I was really surprised to hear that AA pushed caffeine and sugar as a way of 'helping'. You're just swapping one problem for another. I've had a problem with the caffeine/sugar blood sugar roller coaster ride and it so hard to get off it. But I'm glad to have read that you're getting some help via your nutrition etc. I find that if I eat very simply - all whole fresh foods - then I don't get the cravings, unless, of course I DO have caffeine which spikes the blood sugar - and off you go again! Anyway, I'm doing much better and I hope things improve for you, too. Good health is attainable if we keep at it. Best of luck, Lauren. Jackie
Jackie from the U.K. says
re: To Anon number 2
Well, at the risk of being contentious, I'd say that it IS a discussion/support forum and that's why there are dozens of pages of discussion as people air their worries, share their problems and support each other. Most people do not want to make their email public for obvious reasons and so this open forum is way to discuss their caffeine addiction with people who are in the same situation, without putting their security at risk (you never know who might be lurking). If we all emailed each other, there wouldn't BE a forum. Looking through the last few pages, people are citing dozens of different symptoms and it seems clear that there is a main set of general withdrawal symptoms - physical and mental - but that some people do have some different reactions. as well. If you google 'withdrawal symptoms after stopping caffeine' or similar, hundreds of sites come up so it shouldn't be too difficult to find out information. If you want to ask for info or join in the discussion, jump in. I usually try to help, if I can, as do many others. Hope that helps. Best of luck. Jackie.
User says
re: Some people have put email
Some people have put email addresses on here, so not sure why much of the back and forth discussions are still taking up dozens of pages. If there ever was talk of alopecia and popping joints, I don't remember seeing it. Unless it got buried, so his post/questions makes sense.
Lauren F says
re: Certainly!
Around the time I was in the worst of my adrenal fatigue I sought out holistic nutritionists since conventional medical doctors didn't have any answers for me besides cocktails of antidepressants. I did my research an found out that food intolerances tax your system as well as stimulants. With that in mind, I employed a holistic nutritionist who had me tested for food intolerances. I tested positive for food intolerances like gluten (protein in wheat), dairy, corn and such.
This time around I am eating a Paleo diet. Not sure if you've heard of it but I only eat unadulterated meat, vegetables, some fruit, some nuts and good fats like coconut oil, butter (yes butter), and olive oil. That means no corn too (corn is actually a grain) or sugar. I'm not a 100% adherent though I am trying to be. Corn and coffee are what is called cross-reactants. What that means is that gluten, corn and coffee give me the same problems including taxing my adrenal glands.
There are different variants to the paleo diet; for instance, some drink coffee; but of course, I had to give that up. I also take a cocktail of supplements including fish oil, and spoonfulls of coconut oil. I received a lot of help, including a list of supplements from http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com. Her program includes the paleo diet but she is very strict in her guidelines. I take the information that works for me.
I hope this helps and good luck on your health journey. 🙂
Lisa says
re: Adrenal fatigue -Lauren
Lauren can you please tell me what symptoms you had from adrenal fatigue and what you did to combat it? I was thinking that may be what was going on with me as well as the caffeine withdrawl.. I'm 71 days off and struggling pretty bad.. Please tell me what you did to fight it.. I am breastfeeding an 8 month old baby as well, thanks, Lisa
Lauren F says
re: I'm back
Hey guys! It's been a while since I've visited this forum. I quit for a good 9 months back in 2009 and now I'm back. I had terrible adrenal fatigue at that time and even without the caffeine I was suffering miserably. What I know now that I didn't know then was that the heavy amount of sugar and maybe other foods I am intolerant of prohibited me from really making gains in alleviating my symptoms.
Above all my caffeine-induced problems, the most difficult is the clinical depression. It took me so long to give the caffeine up in order to get relief primarily because I couldn't deal with the crippling brain fog. Caffeine also helped me to be social since without it I'm pretty quiet.
Long story short, I've also been sober for a little more than a year with very little relief in depression. I'm a member of Alcoholics User and they love to push caffeine and candy to replace alcohol addiction. They were convinced that going through the steps was the key to relieving my depression and not getting rid of the caffeine.
So, I finally was able to see a clinical therapist who actually agreed with me that the high amounts of caffeine and sugar were also a problem and that I take a visit to Overeaters User to get help with my binge eating of these trigger foods. I've only been to one meeting but it helped tremendously.
I am now on Day #4 of no caffeine except for a cup of decaf on Day #3 and today. I haven't been to another OA meeting yet but I'm glad I got this far. The only problem I have is the lack of confidence I have in my incompetence because my brain is so foggy. And the little candy I've had doesn't help so I figure I'll tackle that next.
I do feel more serene, I just hope that I can tackle all of this and bring my brain back to homeostasis since I could not do that the first time I quit caffeine.
Thanks for listening to me, I didn't think I would type for so long 🙂
User says
re: He would have to read back
He would have to read back hundreds of posts - who has time for that? The same people post on here forever - it's tough for new folks to find there symptoms if they have to wade through pages of conversations that might be better taken off site - just a thought. Peace.
Jackie from the U.K. says
re: To Anon
To be honest, Anon, I thought this was very harsh. We are trying to support each other through a very difficult time. It's very hard for some people to be certain that their symptoms are coming from caffeine withdrawal - that's a natural anxiety to have - and we have to work through that anxiety, as well. And it is also imperative to make sure that there ISN'T any other underlying problem. I know you are struggling with your mood and irritability but this post seemed very hard and perhaps you should take your own advice. Do we really want to turn into the coffee drinkers on other threads who are constantly bickering and having arguments about grammar lol. Take care, Anon, and I hope you feel a little better soon. Jackie And good luck to everyone.
User says
re: David can't you read?
I have
David can't you read?
I have seen every single symptom that you complain of mentioned on this site, and i have had all of them myself, in fact my hair has only just stopped falling out after months of coming off caffeine. If you don't read the posts on this site properly, you might as well stay off it and continue with your ridiculous medications and tests etc
dav says
re: i guess the things that
i guess the things that bother me most are the symptoms i don't see on this site. Mostly all i've been having is shooting pains all throughout my body and my joints popping continously. my ears are ringing as i sit and write this. and i still have the muscle spasms occasionally. lately they havent be too bad but at time they were bad for days. How much caffeine were you consuming and for how long? Have you ever had severe back pain from this? Whatever is going on with my has even given my alopecia which is a round bald spot on your head caused by stress. I went to the dermatologist and after fifteen shots its finally starting to grow back. What scares me is i swear the rest of my hair is beginning to thin as well. Up until this started i never had any hair loss and my hair was very thick. Not sure if it is what is going on causing this or the stress of not knowing what is going on. Why would anyone ever start coffee again if this proves to be the cause. You would have to be an idiot. I like coffee allot but if this is the cause never again. I'm still going to go through with the best lymes test in the country but i am not going to rule out caffeine yet either. I wont even drink a soda till i get to the bottom of this. Another thing that continues to mess with me is that there has been several times where i felt good for awhile and then it all faded back again just as bad as before. Right when i think its over it just comes right back. Im not even excited when i feel good because i know it wont last. have you ever had this happen?
Lisa says
re: Symptoms
My gosh the list could go on and on.. I have some pretty weird sympoms like weird head aches, pressure in head , face, bad anxierty, some muscle pain, panic sometimes, eyes blurry, feel like I'm out of my body , disconnected, twitchy , insomnia is lifting a bit.. But I think it really triggered some of my old symptoms to come back from when I withdrew from the meds 2 years ago.. Get off those meds!!!! You need to taper and them just wait for healing .. It takes so long and it so disheartening .. I'm still scared everyday .. Im so dizzy and my symptoms change every hour.. I also have hotflashes and burning skin.. The anxiety is unreal:(. .. Very sensitive to stress, stimulus, my ears ring too, sweats.. Nervousness the list goes on
dav says
re: lisa what have your symptoms
lisa what have your symptoms been like? do you have them all the time or do they continually change throughout the day. I can have my neck hurt then it goes away. Then my back and it goes away then my knee then it turns into muscle spasms then they're gone. It seems like they stay the same but nothing hurts continually it just seems like my body is messing with me.
dav says
re: they put me on two different
they put me on two different ones. One is called citalopram and the other is called buspirone. He said they were non narcotic and they do help me with the panic attacks. im just hoping i wont need them after awhile. one of my main symptoms is my joints popping and joint pain and aches. I havent really seen much on here about the popping. When i wake up in the morning my whole back feels tense and when i twist side to side i swear every bone there is pops all the way up. I just hate to continue waiting for months hoping it is the caffeine only to find out that i have a case of lymes not showing any sign on the tests. I'm thinking about going on antibiotics just to see if it helps as well. The longer time goes by the harder it is to treat. The only reason why im worried about this as well is because i had a small ring right around the time this started.
User says
re: ringing in the ears, i forgot
ringing in the ears, i forgot to add that to my list of continuing symptoms after 9 months
User says
re: David and Sarah
I am worried
David and Sarah
I am worried about your meds, anxiety meds are highly addictive and very very difficult to get off. Like Lisa I am certain that all your symptoms David are caused by caffeine withdrawal. So I would forget about Lymes etc. The sooner you get off the anxiety meds the better, but it is ESSENTIAL to taper off them as cold turkeying off benzos and or Z drugs canresult in seizures. (there are several websites available if you google around). Several people on this site have taken more than a year to recover from coming off caffeine and I am unfortunately probably going to be one of them. But anxiety meds are a thousand times worse to come off and most GP's are unaware of this, and they are also unaware of the length of time it can take to recover from caffeine, so it is only online that you can get the "truth" and sensible advice.
I have been off caffeine for almost 9 months and still have got muscle spasms, GI problems, insomnia, palpitations, severe muscle pain and stiffness, tension, anxiety, irritability, headaches, bouts of nausea, balance problems etc etc. Time is the only healer.
Lisa says
re: Dave it's not lymes disease
You can be rest assured that you do not have lymes disease:).. I have self diagnosed myself as well but guess what.. Nothing is wrong with me.. Maybe Sam will chime in and tell you this is just a case of sensitized nerves from the caffeine.. .. What's medications are you taking? Lisa
dav says
re: After going to the doctor
After going to the doctor several times and having complete blood panels twice and getting checked for lymes four times i was running out of answers. Im having muscle spasms and aches in my joints. it feels like my entire body is constantly under tension like when you need to crack your knuckles. Its just keeps changing location and intensity. Ive also been having ringing in my ears and this wierd feeling like bubbles in my joints. It seems like i'm constantly cracking and popping. The doctors couldn't seem to find anything and said they thought it was anxiety. Ive never had anxiety in my life but anything is worth a try. I had quit drinking coffee just prior to this so i really cant answer that question but all it really did for me is get rid of the panic attacks. All my physical symptoms are still going on. Not sure if its lymes or from all the coffee i was drinking. All i know is the muscle spasms and panic attacks were going on while i was still drinking coffee so im not sure if its withdrawl. my stomach also seems to get very upset every time i eat and then seems to go away. Kinda seems like my symptoms increase during the time i would be drinking coffee but maybe its just in my head. This whole thing is driving me nuts. I really dont crave coffee or soda at all and havent been drinking either. Im going on two weeks and dont plan on drinking any more till i figure all of this out. The symptoms are just too close to lymes and the ticks were bad this year. The problem is lymes can be very tricky too diagnose and the tests are poor. sometimes people are tested several times before coming back positive. I dont know what to think
Sarah says
re: anxiety medication
I'm currently taking Lexapro for anxiety. Been on it for 6 months after a panic attack and recurring anxiety episodes. I've never been addicted to caffeine, but I suspect that underlying generalized anxiety plus stress and lots of cups of coffee leading up to my panic attack had my nerves all in a frazzle. In hindsight, I was primed for a panic attack. At the time, however, I had no understanding of anxiety and just felt like it was spiraling out of control, so I decided to go on medication. I was initially prescribed Xanax but only took that when I absolutely needed to. Then I got on Lexapro. Thanks to counseling, helpful books, and this online community, I have a much better understanding of anxiety. I know now that it won't kill you, that it's extremely uncomfortable and scary at times but overall harmless and treatable. Anxiety is a funny thing, isn't it? Seems like it manifests differently, depending on the situation. Sometimes I respond to my own thoughts with an increased heart rate. Other times, particularly if I'm hyper vigilant of any new physiological sensation (which has lately been the case since the panic attack) I feel the blood rise from my core to my head, as if I stood up too fast. When I was drinking coffee with my medication, the anxiety symptoms intensified and all the coping strategies I learned were put to the test. It took a long time (months) to realize that racing thoughts and fears were all part of anxiety-- from the various hormones that get excreted when we're anxious. I thought anxiety was just all the physical symptoms, so I began to fear the mental ones.
Thanks to Claire Weekes (as well as A Mindful Way Through Anxiety, and The Worry Cure - book titles), I can accept that working through this takes time, that it takes time to relax and stabilize our nerves. Sometimes I wish there was a quick fix, but I've never been one to shy away from a challenge. It's just that the challenge here is to be patient and to accept what is. Patience and acceptance without judgment. Yes, much easier said than done.
It is a process and not necessarily a linear one.
Be well friends.
Sarah
Lisa says
re: Exactly Sarah!!!
That is exactly why I think im going though this.. A sensitive cns is no good for stopping and starting any drug.. What meds are you on? Thanks Sarah for being so sweet!!
Lisa says
re: Anon
I gave to lose weight.. I was drinking massive amounts of caffeine and tons of sugar.. I was not taking care of my body.. I wasn't planning on stopping completely but when I cut down so much I had a massive panic attack that scared the crap out of me.. Then I stopped ct cause I freaked out.. Besides I think it was drainingy body. Sometimes I drank 10 cans a days!! That's like seriously 69 tbsp of sugar!! And I'm breastfeeding which caffeine is bad for my baby too.. I was eating so much sugar and chocolate .. I had no idea that cutting back would do that to me otherwise I would have gone much slower..
Lisa says
re: What medication are you
What medication are you taking? I came off anxiety meds about two years ago and I'm having a hell of withdrawl off caffeine.. It seems thy those medications can sensitize out bodies to react badly to other substances .. I have the weirdest symptoms too and I have been to the doc a bunch of times and nothing nothing.. We are not crazy .. It's definately the caffeine .. I'm 69 days off and I'm still having crazy symptoms like high anxiety, weird head stuff, dizziness, feel like I'm
Out of my body.. Caffeine is no joke!! Everyone in here says wait it out.. Our bodies will adjust we just don't know when .. I feel like im crazy everyday .. So freaked out by all this.. Did you ever have anxiety before this? Meds ever? I'd bet on anything it's the caffeine.. Let us know what stuff your taking , how long etc.. Hopefully this will go soon for you , Lisa.. Read through all the posts.. You'll be shocked how many people have problems coming off caffeine
Sarah says
re: Caffeine and medication?
David,
Are you still consuming caffeine while taking anti-anxiety medication? I ask because a few weeks after going on anti-anxiety medication, I had my first cup of coffee and a couple hours later immediately felt a flash of panic, racing heart, dizziness, etc. At the time, I didn't think that was triggered from caffeine but just an anxiety relapse. The same thing happened a week later when I drank of a cup of coffee. (Mind you, I consider my caffeine use to be fairly light to moderate.) So I gave up coffee for a couple months (which was easy because I wasn't addicted to caffeine) but then last week I thought what the heck I'll start drinking coffee again--just a cup a day. And the dizzy spells, racing heart and thoughts all returned. Before going on medication, I never reacted to caffeine like this. But now that I'm on these meds, it seems like caffeine reacts to it rather intensely. Just a thought.
User says
re: Why give up ?
Lisa - if you had zero anxiety before you stopped caffeine and now you seem to have a huge amount, why don't you continue using caffeine ? Am I missing something ?
dav says
re: Somebody please give me some advice-david
I ran across this site and i'm hoping that someone on here can give me some advice please. I'm a contractor and found myself drinking allot of coffee. When i would wake up in the morning i was putting eleven tablespoons into a pot and about one half to two thirds of a cup of sugar into my thermos every day. I know eleven tablespoons is way too much now, but i guess i didn't think coffee could really hurt me. It all started with a back pain that would'nt go away. Eventually i decided to come come and try to twist around and pop it or something to make it feel better. Eventually i swear i felt something move and ended up having what i think was a panic attack. I was in pain for the next couple of days, but then noticed i was starting to get random muscle spasms. At this point i went to the doctor and he said i sprained my back and gave me some muscle relaxers. Time went by and i thought all was well until i started having muscle spasms again so i went back to get checked for lymes disease. They gave me complete blood panels and multiple tests for lymes but all keep coming back negative. I was running out of answers and the symptoms kept getting worse. The only other thing i could think of was the coffee so i quit drinking caffeine for awhile and the muscle spasms persisted as well as headaches blurry vision tiredness panic attacks joint pain as well as popping joints all overy my body. I went on for two weeks thinking that after nine days i would feel better but nothing changed. Eventually i had another panic attack and figured if it was caffeine that maybe drinking some would make me feel better and it did. I was trying to quit cold turkey at the time so i thought that maybe i should still have some caffeine when i was feeling this way. More time went by and eventually i figured this wasn't what was wrong and just went back to drinking coffee, just not as strong. It wasn't until i found this site that i realized it might take much more than nine days to feel better. Meanwhile i had been tested for lymes again and the only thing the doctor could come up with is anxiety. I never had this before and actually never even knew what it was. After finding this site i decided to try and quit cold turkey again. None of this make any sense to me. It seems like my stomach get upset at specific times of the day. My joints are popping constantly and it feels like i constantly am under tension. Im still getting muscle spasms and twitching all throughout my body and strange headaches that radiate into a stiff neck. some days my ears will be ringing for long periods of time. Ive had heart palptations and adrenaline rushes. So many strange things i could go on for hours. Allot of the things i've read on this site are exactly what has been going on with me, but also seem to be symptoms of both lymes and anxiety. They put me on anxiety drugs but the only thing it seems to help with is the panic attacks otherwise i still have all the other symptoms. Ive been to the doctor so many times and spent so much time trying to figure this out i feel like i'm going crazy and driving everyone around me crazy. after reading this site it kinda give me hope but i don't see much about the popping joints and if my panic attacks and muscle spasms are possible while on the caffeine. I'm about to go to a lymes specialist, but i have already spent a couple of grand on all this. somehow in the mist of this all i've managed to get alopecia as well which is supposed to be from stress i guess. Someone please give me some advice?????????????
Grace says
re: Anon
Oh that is no good at all Anon. I will keep you in my prayers (if you don't mind?).
No, I am not fully recovered yet. I would say about 50%? It's hard to put a number on it, but I do have some days that are quite good now. Still patches of anxiety, but it is lessening in intensity as well... most of the time anyway lol.
I am about 2 months off caffeine now
Lisa says
re: Sam are you here??
I really need some words of inspiration here because I am still doing so rough and I am really trying to make it through this.. I am still in a high state of anxiety Sam.. It doesn't seem to be letting up.. All I know is that before this I had zero anxiety and not its completely taking over my life and making me feel crazy .. Im at 68 days.. Omg I'm still having a lot of sx.. Is this really normal ? Stress really seems to mess me up too:(((
User says
re: Grace
Thanks again Grace, but I had such a serious reaction to mint tea (for GI problems) made from fresh mint leaves, and another to loose chamomile, and another to passion flower, that I just dare not risk it at the moment, and anyway, I know the cause of my anxiety is caffeine withdrawal, and I honestly think time is the only cure for that.
I am not sure about you - are you completely recovered now?
Grace says
re: Sorry Anon
Sorry Anon! I just realised this was a post from you not Lisa. Duh!
Hope you are hanging in there okay.
Grace
Grace says
re: Lisa
Hi Lisa
I really do understand your reluctance. Please look into it though (there is a tonne of info on google), I have seen my father who has had debilitating anxiety for 17 years improve remarkably by using the herbs I mentioned.
Sorry if it seems like I am pestering you!!! I only mention it because my heart goes out to you and I would love to see you get some relief.
I won't say another word about it, I promise!
Best wishes, Grace xx
Grace says
re: Hi Jackie
I also share your concerns about pesticides, artificial hormones and who knows what else! I am lucky that I have access to organic dairy. I think in my experience it is still worth including some butter, and I would do so even if I couldn't get organic. I do respect your stance as a vegan. Just thought I'd put the idea out there!
Yes, herbs are wonderful. I haven't experimented much with essential oils although I have heard wonderful things about them!
How are you feeling Jackie? Hope you are feeling a little better.
Grace xx
Jackie from the U.K. says
re: Grace
Hi, Grace, thanks for your post. I will certainly look into this as I've had a lot of success from natural remedies, especially using aromatherapy oils for my sore joints. The difference was remarkable. Also, I was very interested in your suggestion about eating saturated fat as I do think there is still some controversy about what is 'good' and 'bad' for you. The scientists keep changing their minds! Or, more likely, their 'findings' are linked to consumerism. Funnily enough, there is an article on The Mail Online about this today and it is basically saying that some items do contain the protective stearic acid (red meat, chocolate) but that butter and coconut oil, less so. It says that stearic acid can protect against heart disease. But it does seem clear that the heat treated margerines are a no go area and that butter is better for you than those. The thing that concerns me about animal/dairy foods is the residues of toxins from growth hormones, antibiotics etc. In one form or another, we ingest so many toxins from pesticides, the foods industry, car fumes, paint, plastics - not to mention caffeine! - etc etc - the list is endless - so, for me trying to avoid these toxins is a real issue and if I ate meat, I would be very concerned about that. I am vegan, anyway, so I don't eat meat and get my EFAs from nuts, seeds, flax oil, evening primrose oil and avocados etc which do contain some saturated fat. However, I do know this, I would rather get my saturated fat from my organic nuts and flax oil etc than risk ingesting all the nasties from the meat and dairy industry. Also from what I've read over the past few years, moderation is still the key and we should have less than 20% saturated fat in our diet. Anyway, interesting stuff - if you find out any more info linked to this, I'd be very interested to hear. Thanks again, Grace. 🙂 Jackie Good luck to everyone and hope things improve for you all.
User says
re: Johnny V and Grace
Thank you for posting, I am too sensitive to try anything new at the moment, I react to so many things now.
Johnny V, I have pasted your post below, did you still have heart palps and anxiety 2 years after coming off caffeine? in a way that gives me hope and in a way it fills me with dread. Could you give us a little more info about your recovery after you last stopped drinking caffeine - how did it progress - in fits and starts, or was it a slow steady improvement?
Sat, 2013-10-26 04:21 — Johnny V (not verified)
Well, after I've made
Well, after I've made a... "recovery", I'm now back again since I'm going through a little relapse. Ever since I quit caffeine two years ago and beat my withdrawal symptoms early this year, I've felt pretty good. I still had anxiety and heart palpitations, but it was managable. Since I thought I made a recovery, I started drinking caffeine again (even though when I said I wouldn't), alcohol, and picked up smoking. I didn't notice any ill effects at first, but after a couple months, I noticed that I'm still sensitive to caffeine as well as nicotine. I stopped consuming both (but not alcohol) and after a month, I'm suffering a bit of a relapse. I feel the same symptoms I did two years ago, but stangely, it's more manageable this time now that I know what it is.
It's been 8-days since my withdrawal symptoms started, and even though I said it's manageable, it's stressing me out a bit. I noticed I'm angrier and more irratable than I was when I was just going through caffeine withdrawals two years ago. Must be the nicotine. Also, my heart palpitations are now triggered by certain things rather than having them coming and going at random. I really hope this goes away soon. Even though it's a more minor withdrawal, I don't want to deal with this again.
Grace says
re: Anon, Lisa, Jacquie and others
Hi everyone,
I haven't posted in a while, not sure if you remember me.
I'm so sad to read of your suffering Lisa and Anon.
I have a couple of suggestions. I have been studying herbs and nutrition and here is what I have done which has made me feel a LOT better.
First, there is a class of herbs called 'nervines'. They work by not only calming your nervous state (anxiety, insomnia etc... you know the stuff), but also by rebuilding your nerves over time. This is where herbs differ to pharmaceuticals. Herbs will actually build health. It takes time, but hey, we are familiar with that concept on this board lol.
Here are some of the most gentle ones: chamomile, lemon balm, skullcap, passionflower & gotu kola. They are NOT habit forming, but with all herbs it is good to take a break one day a week. I choose Sunday.
If you would like to give them a try, make sure you buy loose leaf rather than tablets. In our sensitive states, it is not uncommon to react to some of the fillers in tablets/capsules.
Buy as many as you can find and mix equal parts into a glass container of some sort. Just use a teaspoon of this mix per cup. You can have a cup before bed and also during the day. Within a week or two you should be noticing an improvement.
The other thing I was going to suggest is make sure you are eating some good fats: butter (yes, butter!), coconut oil etc. Our brains and nerves need saturated fat to feel healthy.
Don't just take my word for this, there is plenty of info on google. I just wanted to share what has helped me.
Please let me know if I can help out with any more info.
Thinking of you all, and praying for a quick recovery.
Grace
john01bohan says
re: Hi all!Im Johnny Bohan and I
Hi all!
Im Johnny Bohan and I am new to this forum. The reason why I joined this forum is because I am a certified coffee lover. This past few days, Ive been experiencing some vomiting and and I have a feeling that it is because of me, trying to cut down my coffee intake. This posts really helps me a lot. Looking forward to meeting you all soon.
User says
re: Thanks Jackie,
I know you are
Thanks Jackie,
I know you are right, I am just so exhausted and fed up. I am so stressed out I can't even listen to a relaxation tape, it just sounds so ridiculous to me when I am in this state. I am too agitated to rest.......... Hell on earth
Jackie from the U.K. says
re: Sarah
Hi, Sarah, I just wanted to say thanks for your recent posts as they've added some perspective and some important info which has helped me to be less hard on myself and, also, to try to look after myself, more - which can only aid the recovery process. For example, I recognised that I was completely exhausted, mentally, emotionally and physically, and have tried to adjust my life to allow for this a little. Anyway, thanks again, and I hope you're doing well, yourself. Jackie
Jackie from the U.K. says
re: Anon
Well, you do sound like you're in a rough place, Anon. So sorry for you as I know how hard this is and how it robs you of any joy in life. I would say that, from my experience of tapering, it was definitely easier in some ways because some of the physical/psychological symptoms (fatigue, sleeplessness, fear, anxiety etc) tapered, as well. However, the downside of tapering is that you never actually feel like you're finished with the damn drug. It's always looming as a possible temptation and you spend all your time thin king about it and being scared the temptation.....and because it's still in your system, your biochemistry is never fully recovering. I'm STILL having the odd one when I'm acutely stressed/or don't get any sleep but mainly having grain coffee or decaf. I read in the book, Maximum Willpower that when we're trying to exert our self-control all the time, that 'muscle' gets exhausted as it is like an energy reserve that can get used up, like any 'energy'. That's how I think we get - exhausted and out of energy to fight or feel ill any more. Now, thinking about it, I'd say to you that the drug has been out of your system for all this time and, having some again, might set off your addiction again and you'd be back to square 1. That's how it felt to me, sometimes.....I'd be doing well well and then, bang, it was like I'd be back at the beginning again. So, from my experience, I'd say try to keep going. You have said, yourself, that you have seen some improvement and the post you put up documents the PAWS state, so it makes sense to carry on, if you can. But, having said that, only you can decide. I too wish I'd never gone back on it again. I started drinking it again about 7 years ago - before that, I didn't even drink tea for many, many years - and felt fantastic! Ah, well, lesson learned, I guess. Anyway, hope you do see some improvement, soon. Best wishes to you and everyone here. How are you doing, Rob? Lisa, KEEP GOING! Jackie
User says
re: jackie
It's the irritable mood and fatigue I can't stand, Jackie you were so wise to taper off over 18 months, I wish I had done it over a longer period than 4 months, I am almost tempted to go back on it tonight (I am having another bout of insomnia). If only I had never heard of caffeine - I don't feel I can cope much longer, including the 4 months tapering this has been going on for over a year, and although I am slowly slowly improving, I feel very downhearted at the moment.
Lisa says
re: Thank you Sarah:)
I appreciate your sweet comment. Not feeling well
So I can't post a lot but I wanted to say thank you .. This is very hard and I also went though a seriios drug withdrawl 2 years ago off benzodiazepines which I am sure is what is messing with my central nervous system.. It's definately playing up my symptoms as I wasn't 100 percent healed.. I know others like me.. This is all so crazy.. I feel like I stepped into a time machine back to my wihdrawl off that poison:(.. Hope you are feeling good.. Sending hugs .. Keep on touch.. Some days I swear I won't make it:(..
User says
re: HERE is an earlier post from
HERE is an earlier post from this site which I find helps me a great deal:
Those all are symtoms of chemcal withdrawl
Anxiety, Depression, Flu symptoms, etc, and worrying about worrying are all normal symptoms of caffine withdrawl. Thats the incidious part of the whole process. And now you know why its hard to quit a substance once your body gets accustomed to it. You sounds like you are past the accute withdrawl symptoms and moved on to the Post Accute phase (PAWS). Some people get it, some people dont. And it varies from person to person how long it lasts. It took me 12 months to really feel like i was in the clear. Most of the things i have read say anywhere from 3 months to 2 years. During that time you will notice the symtoms fade but it's not going to just stop one day. Eventually they will be gone but it takes time and other events in your life can have an in fluence on the severity and length of PAWS. Think of it this way... Your brains got used to counteractiing a foreign substance in your body over a length of time by adjusting your other hormone levels to compensate. Since caffine is a stimulant it made you feel good and awake, so when i take that away its going to swing the other way until your body adjusts to the new levels. Anxiety is the brains way of making you go get some more of the chemical by making you uncomfortable . Coccaine,caffine,nicotine, etc... are all chemical substances that change the body's chemistry in some form. That part that gets past me is the lack of information about caffine but nocotine everyone knows about now. They just dump huge amounts of stimulants into drinks and food and nobody thinks there will be side effects. You will have to tough it out for the most part and maybe your doctor can give you something to offset the symptoms if they are too much to handle. I toughed it out but it was a horrible experience. I feel great now but it was a long hard road and it not for everyone. Some people may just want to keep drinking it and try to slowly cut back. You have to face the fact that you are addicted to a substance and now you have to deal with the concequences. It feels shitty when you find out that you may have avoided drugs your whole life and now you are hooked on one you didnt know about, but thats life and companies arent going to volunteer this information when it cuts into thier profits. Caffine is the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world. So people are going to look at you wierd if you tell them they are hooked on a stimulant, but facts are facts. Good luck whatever path you choose! And if you choose to quit then try and remember its not you its your brain pissed at you and it will pass with time unless you have some other disorder.
Rob says
re: To clarify....
Lisa - internet posting can be difficult as people can read things in different ways. The poster below picked out the "serious issues" phrase for example then said she felt exactly the same way as I do. It's not a big thing, I'm just saying things can be read in different ways and not always the way that was intended.
I didn't say anything about taking pills or other medication, all I was saying is that your reaction seems very extreme. It may be the caffeine, it may be that something else is happening, or (most likely) it could be a combination of lots of things. All I was trying to say was that it would be a good idea to get all the help you can with this, including ruling out that there's anything other than caffeine withdrawal happening.
Sounds like you may have done that. If you're sure it's just caffeine, then I guess there is little option but to just to wait it out. Our bodies adapt to drugs and it takes a while to adapt back to the normal drug-free way of operating. The length of time it seems to be taking you is extreme, but as you say, we're all different. Stick with it, I'm sure it will pass.
Lisa says
re: Rob
I had absolutely zero symptoms until
I stopped caffeine.. I swear to Jesus that 24 hours after I quit caffeine this all started.. Up till then I was a totally normal healthy person... so you know my baby is 8 months old now.. I breastfeed.. No history of any of this .. I am sick over this okay.. I am not crazy and none of this started till the caffeine.. I'm
Not going on freaking pills , Lisa . This has to pass.. Rob it took Sam 6 months to feel better a little .. I'm
At two months and everyone is different.. I don't want anything else in my head.. Docs said im healthy but I feel like im dyin everyday:(
Sarah says
re: No need to apologize
Dear Lisa and all,
You don't owe anyone an apology. I used to apologize all the time to my husband, feeling guilty and responsible for bringing him into this scary and unpleasant situation. For a long time, like me, he didn't understand what was happening to me. It was scary for both of us, BUT he told me I don't have to apologize to him. And he's right. It is what it is. You didn't ask for this; but it happened, is happening, and you're working through it. There's no need to apologize to anyone.
Lisa, you feel alone but you are not. If your boyfriend doesn't understand, consider speaking with a therapist/counselor. What about linking up with a friend and going for a walk? Bike ride? I've been going to yoga classes. In the beginning, the feeling of dread and fear would hover over me, but I stubbornly stayed on my mat. And breathed. And I keep going.
I just listened to one of Claire Weekes's books. Although her recommendations are simple, it takes practice and time. Because you feel physically and emotionally drained, anxiety is on your mind all the time. The more you try to distract, the more anxiety comes back and perhaps stronger each time. I know this vicious cycle quite well. It takes time, and just like Claire Weekes says, for those of us who are emotionally and physically fatigued or "overly sensitized," having to be patient and wait even longer seems impossible.
Unlike Rob, I don't think you have "serious issues." I think your mind and body are fried by anxiety - regardless of what the initial cause was (caffeine, postpartum, etc.). That said, consider speaking with a therapist/psychologist and explain your experiences. If your experiences are coupled from caffeine withdrawal and postpartum, they can offer guidance and recommendations.
It's a journey and we're not alone.
Sending more virtual hugs,
Sarah
Rob says
re: Maybe it's not caffeine ?
Lisa - I am concerned for you. I'm no doctor or expert, but I strongly suspect caffeine isn't the problem, or at least the sole problem. There's no doubt it's a strong drug that affects some people badly, but you sound to me like you have some serious issues that are unlikely to be caused solely by stopping caffeine. I don't know you and it's hard to tell the extent of your issues, or whether you're just prone to using dramatic language, but from what you write it sounds like you have serious anxiety and depression issues.
My advice would be to go and see someone qualified and get checked out/assessed. If you've had a baby a few months ago you may be suffering from post-natal depression or similar. My wife had it and it's not pleasant - anxiety, neurosis, depression like I've not seen before. Absolutely nothing to do with her caffeine intake, just a medical condition that was helped greatly by doctors.
The internet is great, but you can't self diagnose and (speaking for myself) there's no-one here who is qualified or has the information to diagnose or treat you. My experience with caffeine is that it's deeply unpleasant when I use it, nasty to get off and gives me side-effects, but they aren't massively debilitating and I can for the most part function through them, albeit with trouble in the first few days. By two months off it, I was 95% back to normal. You sound like you're in a different category and that's why I suspect caffeine isn't the main problem.
Please note I'm NOT saying caffeine is fine and you should go back to it ! I can't see how caffeine benefits anyone, I genuinely believe we'd all be far better off without it. You've taken a really positive step to give it up, it's just that you may need to take other steps too.