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
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 129 NO CAFFEINE - DIAGNOSING SELF
I like how Mandy describes one of her caffeine withdrawal symptoms as "diagnosing self with all kinds of catastrophic diseases". I still struggle with this even though not as frequently as before. Each time I have physical symptoms occur, my mind starts analyzing it and fears the worse case scenario. Considering caffeine is a psychoactive drug, I find it fascinating that coming off of caffeine 129 days later can still have me thinking like this. I can see why the medical community can't make the connection. I can't make the connection and only believe it because I am experiencing it along with others on here. It's hard to understand why the "diagnosing self" symptom happens during the withdrawal period and not while I was actually consuming caffeine. I'm not asking anyone to explain it. I'm just sharing my thoughts.
The neuropathy that I experience has lessened over the past month. But, when the neuropathy increases for a day or two, I begin to worry about the possibility that it's MS. I know that the neuropathy didn't start until I stopped caffeine and later diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency, so logically the odds of coincidentally having a two issues (Vitamin D deficiency and MS) that share the same symptoms must be very very remote. The only thing that seems to explain the "diagnosing self with catastrophic diseases" is that the depression that I felt in the 1st 60 days is still present on a much lower level under the surface and this depression distorts my perceptions. I'm probably overthinking it, but this is what is on my mind on day 129.
Along with MS, I've begun to worry about congestive heart failure. Pressure in the lower part of my calf has me worrying that I have fluid retention. I've only begun to worry about my heart in the past couple of days. I exercise 2 to 3 hours almost everyday, so it's crazy for me to think this. Plus, other than this weird filling, there is no evidence that it is fluid retention. I press on the skin of my calf and the color resumes to normal quickly. I just keep reminding myself that this "diagnosing self with catastrophic diseases" is part of my caffeine recovery process.
Reading about what others go through on this website helps so much. I appreciate everyone's contribution.
User with 60 year habit says
re: Mandy it is good news, it
Mandy it is good news, it makes me feel envious and hopeful at the same time. I am 18 months off and can't wait to be able to say that I am feeling really really good.
At the moment I would say that I have recovered by about 45% on the fatigue (it fluctuates still, but 45% is on a good day)
My mood (depending on the amount of stress life throws at me) is about 55% improved. The weird burning and other strange sensations in my feet have completely stopped although they do still feel a tiny bit numb, and I still occasionally get cramps in my legs but not my feet any more. I still get back ache, but that has also improved by about 50%, and I still get the shakes and I am still clumsy, all improved by about 45%.
Insomnia is about 45% improved, and my gut problems are about 50% improved. The woman who wrote "Welcome to the Dance" said that she still had fatigue at 2 years and 3 months off, but most of the other symptoms had stopped.
I am a bit confused by your last remarks about your insomnia, I think there must be a few typos there, and I would like to know how your improvement went regarding insomnia, if you have the time to post it.
Oh and I still have itchy eyes a lot of the time too.
I expect I have forgotten something, but that's all for now. I hope you go on feeling better and better as other people have reported. I also share your feelings about my friends when I see them knocking their huge coffees back, but its a waste of time going on about it, especially as I can't tell them that I feel wonderful for coming off it, YET!!!!!!!
Mandy says
re: hi and thank you for sending
hi and thank you for sending me congrats, it is important to come back and share progress i think mostly because when i felt at my worst i was on here all the time getting the reassurance i needed, ive read every single message, several times, and the relief i felt when i recognised the similarities with others. i am sounding a bit OTT perhaps but it was a tough time. so yeah i felt i had come through it at six months but its only for the last two or three weeks that ive felt good, good enough to recognise feeling good, and i still have the mildest versions of the symtoms but they are so mild now i only just notice, like the funny head swimmy feelings that were always one of the worst for me. it was years of diet coke for me, two litres a day, for 17 years ish - i went out to lunch with five friends today and four of them had coke with their lunch and i wanted to say: its a drug!!! its changing your brain chemistry, you must be addicted at some level to even think you enjoy it, its noxious chemical gas and poison ! but i didnt say any of that. am just glad yo be free. if it helps i had: panic attacks, headaches, insomnia, weird head feelings that scared me no end, trembling, anxiety stuff like derealisation depersonalisation, twitching muscles, stiff muscles, little phobic things like eating food with a napkin held round having thoughts of contamination and dizziness with major light headedness and weird glycemic things getting anxious about must eat while not being hungry because of these things i developed a thought that i would collapse, and it all came on within a couple of hours of quitting, major intensity and then week by week it lessened, but some symptoms were like a acute surge so the insomnis lasted as bout five weeks at the three month mark, and now hardly anything.....bit of funny head stuff yeah but hardly, its worth it worth it worth it
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 123 NO CAFFEINE - TWITCH MUSCLES
.......and Mandy, strangely only recently have I started having the twitchy muscles that you mentioned. Seems odd that it waited until now to start! I'm hoping it's a good sign.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 123 NO CAFFEINE
Hello Mandy. That is awesome to hear. Congrats!! I'm so happy for you. And, I'm happy to hear a number like six months when you finally made it past the withdrawal period. Gives me something to shoot for. However, I feel like I've made a lot of progress the past week. It sounds like many people share similar withdrawal symptoms while at the same time many of the same people have their own unique symptoms and challenges to overcome.
The first number I shot for was 60 days. It seemed to be quite the milestone. Now I'm marking 180 days as my next milestone. And since you're at 8 months, it sounds like you've been doing great for the past 2 months. Am I understanding you correctly? Great job!! And thanks for coming back and sharing.
Mandy says
re: eight months free and clear
eight months free and clear and finally i am feeling good, sometimes i think ive not felt as well in years, its such a relief, good luck to evryone else, from my point of view its well worth quitting and i was terrified by the withdrawal i experienced diagnosing myself with all kinds of catastrophic illnesses in addition to loads of strange mini syptoms like phobias, twitchy muscles and mild allergic reactions, lt was also six months out of my life and im picking up the pieces now, my friends, my hobbies, i had only been manging the bare minimum at work, but its all coming back now. phew its over. i know how hard it is, i am proud even in awe of myself for getting through it and you will too. best wishes.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 121 NO CAFFEINE
Yes 60 Year Habit, I agree. You have waited quite long enough for several people combined. I am hopeful that one day soon you will be posting about how your improving. It's hard to remember and keep track of all that you've gone through and all of the things that you have tried, but anyone new to this site might take the time to read all of your previous posts. Many things that you've written either to me directly, or elsewhere on this site, have given me encouragement and hope.
For me, today is a pretty decent feeling day. I woke up feeling a little fatigue, but once I started working out and eating my increase caloric diet, I'm feeling better. I figure that I'll share my good days as well as my not so good days. 🙂
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 120 NO CAFFEINE - BRONCHODILATOR
Hi Interested Reader: Thanks for the information on caffeine being a weak bronchodilator. What you wrote makes sense and seems to be consistent with my breathing issues. In turn, it sounds like the breathing issues are partly responsible for the fatigue. If the body doesn't get enough oxygen, the body has to work harder. Of course, it's just a guess on my part.
In any case, the information that you shared with me really does help me.
And thanks for the support about rude comments. I was trying to give the person the benefit of the doubt that it just came across wrong when it was put out there in writing. It happens to me occasionally.
I've tried to keep the day number in the subject line with each post for easy reference for anyone wanting to compare how they are feeling and experiencing in the same time frame after quitting caffeine.
I'm sure there is a combination of physical, emotional, and psychological elements at play.
I did notice a big difference at the 60 day mark where things were much better. Even though I still struggle some, it's nowhere near as tough as the 1st 60 days. And I just happen to notice that today is my 2nd complete 60 day period of being off of caffeine. Yay!!!
Seems like I remember some other milestone after 60 days. Maybe 6 months. When I get some time, I need to go back and read many of the comments from my predecessors to find what that milestone is.
User with 60 year habit says
re: wow, what a lot of action
wow, what a lot of action since I last visited. Yes, we do have to wait, but I feel that I have already waited quite long enough!
interested reader says
re: Please, with the rudeness
Please keep the rude comments to yourself. I (among many) would like to know what people are experiencing after they discontinue caffeine. I'd be astonished if you could tell me exactly what caffeine does to everyone's individual makeup in their individual circumstances.
Caffeine has been scientifically proven to have bronchodilator effects. "A bronchodilator is a substance that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing resistance in the respiratory airway and increasing airflow to the lungs." per Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronchodilator
Also "Caffeine has a variety of pharmacological effects; it is a weak bronchodilator and it also reduces respiratory muscle fatigue. It is chemically related to the drug theophylline which is used to treat asthma. It has been suggested that caffeine may reduce asthma symptoms and interest has been expressed in its potential role as an asthma treatment." per a scientific study, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0010864/
Therefore it's reasonable to conclude that breathing changes upon cessation of a caffeine habit could be related.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 120 NO CAFFEINE - You're right.
You're right in that there is definitely a psychological aspect with the caffeine withdrawal. Many people worry when coming off of caffeine. I'm satisfied now that there is nothing wrong with me other than caffeine withdrawal and Vitamin D deficiency. I'm no longer worried about it. I was especially worried some about pancreatic cancer considering that's how my mom died and she quit caffeine shortly before her diagnosis. I'm probably still a little traumatized by her death. The CT scan has reassured me that my pancreas is fine. I appreciate your input. It is a valid point.
User says
re: Maybe a psychiatrist ?
Perhaps you should include a psychiatric assessment among the barrage of medical tests you're having ? You could maybe get them to check for advanced hypochondria and neurosis ?
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 119 NO CAFFEINE - BREATHING, CT SCAN, ENDOCRINOLOGIST
Hello again 60 Year Habit: I've been thinking, my breathing issue feels more like my body isn't getting enough oxygen rather my nostrils feeling like they're blocked. As I drift off to sleep for a nap during the day, I frequently quickly wake up gasping for air like I was suffocating. It's not sleep apnea. I don't snore and I'm not over weight at all. 148 lbs. It could still be caffeine related and my body is adjusting.
My CT Scan found nothing. My pancreas, adrenal glands, etc. all look good. At least, I don't have to worry about that. Xrays of my lungs show that they are good.
I also saw an endocrinologist today. He tells me that my Vitamin D3 treatment is the right amount. He confirms that there is nothing wrong with any of my endocrine system. So, I'm good there.
So, it's just my body adjusting to life without caffeine and a Vitamin D deficiency. I just need to be patient and wait out all of the symptoms.
User with 60 year habit says
re: that's good (i mean that it
that's good (i mean that it is reassuring), and of course I meant that caffeine is a vasoconstrictor not a dilator!!
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 113 NO CAFFEINE - VASOLDILATOR CAFFEINE
Thanks. It's really vitamin B12 and C deficiencies have that this symptom, not the vitamin D deficiency.... from what I've read. But, I'm sure that it still doesn't apply to you. My shortness of breath happens even during the day. Today it was while I was taking a nap at lunch.
It's reassuring to hear that it can also be connected to the caffeine withdrawals. It helps keep my mind from developing awfulized scenarios of what else it could be. 🙂
User with 60 year habit says
re: Hello again, yes I am having
Hello again, yes I am having breathing issues at the moment funnily enough, similar to yours, but they happen during the day as well. I put it down to the fact that caffeine is a vasodilator and is apparently good for asthmatics because of this. I have had them on and off ever since I came off caffeine, but they have been particularly bad during the last week. In my case I know it is not linked to vit d, because my levels were 88 recentlY, and even in winter I get sunshine whenever it is about for 10 minutes around noon.
At the moment my breathing is impeded by my nostrils feeling blocked (there is no mucous or discharge) so I am sure it is the lack of the vasodilator caffeine…….
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 113 NO CAFFEINE - BREATHING ISSUES
Hello 60 Year Habit: I've recently started having more problems breathing and getting enough oxygen. Have you had anything like this during your caffeine withdrawal?? I don't drink alcohol, smoke, or do drugs. I don't even snore. However, I do notice as I'm drifting to sleep for a nap, I'll suddenly wake up in a panic breathing heavier trying to get air.
I suspect this is related to my vitamin deficiencies which are connected to caffeine. I'm just curious if you experienced the breathing issue and made a connection to the caffeine.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 113 NO CAFFEINE - VDR's
Hi 60 Year Habit: Thank you for sharing that information about VDR's. It makes perfect sense with everything that's going on with me. It could also explain my acute episode of fatigue once in December and again on April 4th when I gave up caffeine. My instinct to give up caffeine both in December and April could have been my body telling me what was going on. 🙂
On a related note, the neuropathy that began in April and intensified in July has nearly vanished now that I'm taking Vitamin D3 and spending time in the sun. 🙂
I'm still struggling with mild fatigue that comes and goes, but it seems to get better when I take B12. Since the fatigue seems to connected to vitamin deficiencies, I'm still going to the endocrinologist next week.... just to hear from an expert.
Even though there are all these symptoms spread out all over the place, it's amazing how almost all of them trace back to caffeine. I can understand why it's hard for doctors to buy into it, but the timing of my symptoms is too coincidental to not be connected to caffeine.
TommyGirl says
re: diagnosis
Your problems are likely due to adrenaline exhaustion like mine, low back pain is a classic symptom along with complete exhaustian, low blood pressure and low blood sugar. Blood work shows all the signs of addisons disease . I would get your thyroid and adrenal checked ASAP. I am getting admitted into the hospital. I probabaly suffered from adrenal fatigue for quite some time but the caffiene pushed me over the edge. I read about addisons disease and I had ALL the early signs as well as the late signs. Doctors don't give adrenal glands enough credit. It's why I have been so sick from the muscle aches (due to muscuskeletal breakdown) to numbness and tingling from electrolyte unbalances
User with 60 year habit says
re: Tommy girl, I found this on
Tommy girl, I found this on another website today:
July 6, 2014 at 9:35 pm
i have been a long time coffee drinker. Especially Dunkin donuts coffee, but I noticed lately that it is keeping me up later and later and i’m having trouble sleeping right away like I used to. Well, this past Thursday I had a med. coffee at DD on an empty stomach as usual.. i’m never hungry in the morning. I went to the gym afterwards and worked out on the weight machines, I left the gym and did not hydrate with water at all! half way home I got light headed and my fingers started to feel like I had pins and needles… to the point where my hand closed shut and seized up, I could not open them, i got so scared i sent myself to the hospital, when i got there my whole body and legs, stomach cramped up and even my ear lobs had pins and needles… I don’t know if the caffeine affected me in such a bad way due to being dehydrated OR if the caffeine triggered a panic attack which I NEVER EVER had one… to days later, I had coffee again on an empty stomach and an hour later the same thing happened, very scary! I am NOT longer drinking coffee or caffeine, after all these years it finally it starting to bother me, thanks for your great story… hope i start feeling better real soon!
User with 60 year habit says
re: I don't know why you say
I don't know why you say "caffeine doesn't usually cause this" because it certainly has in my case, I have every single symptom you mention and I have had them all since I came off caffeine over a year ago. They are all improving, and the numbness and burning have almoat stopped (apart from occasionally my feet still feel numb), but in my case I know they are all caused by caffeine wd, so I wouldn't worry about them too much. Good idea to get them checked out in case there is something else going on…….
TommyGirl says
re: Nerve Pain
Has anybody figured out what could be causing numbness, tingling, burning, pins and needles (paresthesias) after cutting out caffeine? I overdosed on 300 mg at caffeine at once in February and have been having strange symptoms ever since. I have chronic low back pain, weakness, myoclonic jerks, body aches, and etc. Overall just a lot of pain. I am so confused because caffeine usually doesn't cause this. I strongly believe adrenal exhaustion might be the cause of all my problems. Its just too hard for me to believe that this is all withdrawal. Another thing I noticed is that all my symptoms are IDENTICAL to those who withdraw from benzos (check out benzobuddies). Caffeine can actually inhibit GABA transmission in large doses which can cause symptoms identical to benzo withdrawal. I The last theories I have is that caffeine withdrawal can leave the nerves inflamed or perhaps muscles tight causing these symptoms. I too thought of b12 deficiency but it doesnt make sense, my nerve pain started I kid u not the next day after I took caffeine. Also, the shooting electric pain I got was all over. B 12 deficiency nerve problems start slowly, they are not that acute. I dont know for sure. I must be extremely sensitive to caffeine but I have stopped intake, what is going on with my body? I am honestly so scared. I am getting an EMG/NCS of my extremeties.
User with 60 year habit says
re: well thank goodness you
well thank goodness you didn't take 50,000 iu which some gP"s prescribe……
Here are a few entries re Vit D and caffeine:
Caffeine inhibits vitamin D receptors, which limit the amount that will be absorbed. Because vitamin D is important in the absorption and use of calcium in building bone, this could also decrease bone mineral density, resulting in an increased risk for osteoporosis.
Iron
Caffeine interferes with the body’s absorption of iron, which is necessary for red blood cell production. Drinking caffeine at the same time as an iron source can reduce absorption by up to 80%, according to the Nutrition Desk Reference. Any beverage containing caffeine should be separated from iron-containing foods or supplements by at least one hour.
and:
The study investigated the interaction between caffeine and Vitamin D receptor. It concluded that Intakes of caffeine in amounts >300 mg/d ( approximately 514 g, or 18 oz, brewed coffee) accelerate bone loss at the spine in elderly post menopausal women. Furthermore, women with the tt genetic variant of VDR appear to be at a greater risk for this deleterious effect of caffeine on bone."
The last comment should be of special concern to those whose parents or grandparents had Osteopenia or Osteoporosis, or if they were never diagnosed the fracture of a hip or loss of height as they aged can be taken as an indication that theydid have Osteoporosis.
and:
Caffeine may interfere with your body's metabolism of vitamin D, according to a 2007 "Journal of Steroid Biochemistry & Molecular Biology" study. You have vitamin D receptors, or VDRs, in your osteoblast cells. These large cells are responsible for the mineralization and synthesis of bone in your body. They create a sheet on the surface of your bones. The D receptors are nuclear hormone receptors that control the action of vitamin D-3 by controlling hormone-sensitive gene expression. These receptors are critical to good bone health. For example, a vitamin D metabolism disorder in which
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 104 NO CAFFEINE - Vitamin D
Hello 60 Year Habit: I'm going to follow what the doctor told me to do. Unfortunately, it happens to the be same 2000 IU that you did. Is this something that you just tried on your own? My D level is around 12. Considering this is a caffeine forum, I'm wondering if there is any connection to caffeine at all?? I've not been able to find anywhere that a person's Vitamin D level drops while on caffeine or after stopping. All things considered, I prefer this to the solution to my chronic fatigue. Time will tell. Your message did help me resist doing more than 2000 IU. I've read so much how up to 10,000 IU per day is okay, but because of your message, I'll follow the doctor's orders exactly. Thanks.
User with 60 year habit says
re: Well I don't expect you will
Well I don't expect you will listen, but do go carefully, I made myself very ill with Vit D, and it as a half life of 6 - 8 weeks so it can take months to get out of your system if you do experience side effects. I now get mine from 10 mins exposure to sunshine between 12 and 2 pm every day.
If you do feel you must take synthetic Vit D, I would start very low and don't do what I did,which was to take 2000 iu.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 104 OF NO CAFFEINE
Hello 60 Year Habit. The blood test came back. I'm severely Vitamin D deficient. I didn't really consider this, but it seems to explain the fatigue. I'm tired right now, but will write more in the coming week.
User (60 year habit) says
re: Hello 6 year habit, I am just
Hello 6 year habit, I am just caught up in a v stressful situation atm, so am not posting here. Nothing new to report, and as soon as I have the mental energy back I will catch up with you. It will be interesting to see how good or bad your b12 level is.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 96 OF NO CAFFEINE
Dear 60 Year Habit, I apologize, but I had forgotten that you mentioned that your B12 level is fine. I was so focused on the findings of my research that I forgot that you mentioned that. I still find the link interesting and the fact that they one can sometimes be connected to the other. It seems like there coulud be other connections with caffeine that no one knows about.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 95 NO CAFFEINE
You may be right 60 Year Habit. I do have another doctor's appointment and hope to get my B12 tested. Time will tell.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 95 OF NO CAFFEINE
I searched for a link between Vitamin B12 deficiency and caffeine. We can't trust much of what is on the internet, but I found articles saying that "coffee" can cause Vitamin B12 deficiency. There are 3 risk factors for Vitamin B12 deficiency: 1. Smoking (not me) 2. Vegetarian (me) 3. Over 50 (me). I was an unintentional Vegetarian because I ate protein bars for protein not knowing that meat was the main way to consume B12. Considering that I found articles about the link between Vitamin B12 deficiency and caffeine, I would guess that coffee drinkers who fall in one or more of the 3 risk groups listed above are even more likely to experience B12 deficiency whose symptoms may include constant fatigue, depression, brain fog, and tingling in feet and hand.
Dear 60 Year Habit, Maybe the above information might help. It seems very coincidental that so many symptoms of B12 deficiency match (or fit) so closely to caffeine related symptoms. Just more thoughts. I would love to hear someday you've started feeling better.
User (60 year habit) says
re: no they had no symptoms of wd
no they had no symptoms of wd or of being on caffeine.
My B12 level is fine, I think you need to get yours tested before you think your symptoms are caused by B12, IMHO they are all caused by caffeine wd.
6 Year Habit says
re: No symptoms of withdrawal?
No symptoms of withdrawal? Or no symptoms of being on caffeine?
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 91 OF NO CAFFEINE - (DAY 6 OF NO LEMON WATER)
Dear 60 Year Habit,
Lemon water appears to only bit a piece of the puzzle for me. This morning, I felt some mild fatigue coming on for the 1st time since stopping lemon water. A fact that I left out unintentionally about the day I stopped drinking lemon water is that I also started taking additional vitamins including B12 complex. My theory was that the lemon water had detoxed me of these vital nutrients. This morning, I didn't have time to take my sublingual B12 in liquid form, but brought it with me to work. Once I reached work, this is when the fatigue started creeping up on me rather quickly. It was the same time that I took the B12. For the first time, the fatigue quickly disappeared about an hour or two after taking the liquid sublingual B12 complex. This has lead me to believe that I've been B12 deficient.
I'm not sure that this is necessarily what is going on in your situation. I remember reading where you ate so much more red meat and meat is an excellent source of B12. I haven't ate much meat at all in the past year and have ate protein bars instead. Plus, on top of the fatigue, in recent months have had numbness in my right leg. The combination of not eating meat, being fatigued, and having numbness are all symptomatic of B12 deficiency. From what I've read, it will take a while for me to restore the balance and to overcome the symptoms. It's apparently a long process. In a way, it makes me think of how long it takes to recover from caffeine withdrawal and the similar symptoms. It would be a stretch though for me to connect dots and say that caffeine flushed the body of B12. I tried, but can't really make that theory stick.
Anyway, I thought that I would share more of my experience. Even though not drinking lemon water hasn't helped you yet, it could still be a part of the solution and not be the entire solution.
I'm assuming that you've been tested for your B12 levels.
User with 60 year habit says
re: PS, some of my friends tried
PS, some of my friends tried coming off caffeine too, nobody stuck it out beyond 2 weeks because they had no symptoms at all…...
User with 60 year habit says
re: Damn tired, if you are still
Damn tired, if you are still around I have remembered that I did have symptoms from caffeine pre my withdrawal which are still around or have changed a bit, I had developed a nasty dry cough in the year preceding my caffeine withdrawal which I still have and I had body aches and stiffness, which are v gradually lessening, which I think must mean that your fatigue could definitely be linked to your caffeine use.
6 year habit, I hope all your symptoms have nearly gone by now, and thanks for the info on lemon juice - amazing!!
It doesn't seem to make much difference to me going without it though.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 89 OF NO CAFFEINE - (DAY 4 OF NO LEMON WATER)
When I stopped drinking lemon water, I immediately started replacing electrolytes and added Vitamin B-12 complex and Vitamin C to the One A Day vitamins that I was already taking. The thought was to replace any lost nutrients as quickly as possible. I started to notice a substantial difference within 48 hours. Yesterday was my best day yet. I would say I felt better than 100%. I know mathematically that's not possible, but if I felt 100% some days while on lemon water, then this felt a lot better than that. It could still be a placebo effect or coincidence. It's too early to know for sure, I'm feeling pretty good.
My caffeine ordeal has motivated a friend to start backing off of her caffeine... slowly. Hopefully, others will learn from my mistakes as well.
User with 60 year habit says
re: I am glad you're feeling
I am glad you're feeling better and I hope it is the lemon juice - it would e good to be feeling better!
Re My lemon juice intake, I am wondering if that has contributed to my high iron levels (on top of giving up milk and tea), because vitamin c taken with food apparently increases iron absorption…….
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 88 - (DAY 3 OF NO LEMON WATER)
So far, I'm feeling a lot better. Yesterday I was feeling great. It's still too early to tell if it's coincidence, placebo effect, or it's really me cutting out the lemon water. It does make sense though because anything (like lemon) that detoxes the body is likely detoxing the body of both good and bad stuff. My fingers continue to be crossed.
I have not been tempted to go back to caffeine. Even if caffeine hasn't been the original source of my fatigue back in December, I feel so much better not drinking caffeine than I ever felt on caffeine! 🙂
User with 60 year habit says
re: Hello again, glad your bloods
Hello again, glad your bloods were ok, I hope the lack of lemon water helps. I haven't actually been drinking lemon water, only using instead of vinegar but I have been doing that for many years pre my caffeine wd fatigue, so I don't think there is a connection but will try not using it for a few days to see.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 87 - (DAY 2 OF NO LEMON WATER)
Negative side effects reported using too much lemon water over a prolonged period of time include vomiting, lethargy, extreme weakness, and fainting. I did a search for "Dangers of lemon water detox" to find articles on this. Considering that my 1st episode of fatigue happened 4 months before I stopped drinking caffeine, but 5 months after I started drinking 2 glasses of lemon water every morning when I wake up, there's a possibility that lemon water is actually stopping me from recovering from my caffeine withdrawal. I've been drinking lemon water for close to a year now. I'm sure everyone is different and I can't say for sure this will cure my feeling of weakness and fatigue, but I am going to give it a try. I'll report back here how things turn out.
In the mean time, I did go to the doctor this week and he ran a full set of blood tests and everything came back normal. I'm supposed to go back in two week for a follow up appointment.
@ 60 Year Habit: I know you've been drinking lemon water for a long time now. Because of this, I made a special point to share this information on this board. It may help you. It may not. It's just another angle to consider.
User with 60 year habit says
re: No I didn't have those issues
No I didn't have those issues but I did have depression, and I haven't had a day of depression since I stopped drinking caffeine.
In fact I had a sort of manic energy all the time which I now know was related to caffeine, and I used to walk so fast none of my friends could keep up with me.
DamnTired says
re: Thank you again, for your
Thank you again, for your reply! 🙂
Did you have issues with tiredness/fatigue and the blood sugar/shakes before quitting coffee? Or only through your withdrawal symptoms?
User with 60 year habit says
re: Well that sounds more hopeful
Well that sounds more hopeful to me, as if you may have found the answer to your fatigue. If you are anything like me, it will take you more than a year though….
I am still getting phases of having the shakes and sweating too, plus dreadful backache, and a lot of insomnia. i was amazed to find that caffeine wd was stopping me sleep!
I have noticed a very slight improvement, not much, of my level of fatigue, although my muscles are gradually getting stronger and I can walk further and faster. (I have had a few short periods of a week or so when the fatigue has improved, but not for ages).
I hope somebody with a similar experience to yours chimes in soon, that would really help you.
DamnTired says
re: Thanks for the reply.
I did
Thanks for the reply.
I did have withdrawl symptoms, mostly headaches for a good 4-5 days. I'm already exhausted so it's hard to tell if I was any more tired or not. Lack of caffeine in my system is also doing a number of my blood sugar, too. Cravings for junk if I don't get my cup in followed by my blood sugar dropping and getting the shakes. Not sure if the shakes are lack of no coffee, same with sweating.
I just would have thought being off it for almost a half a year would have shown me something. Looks like I'm going back off it for at least a year, now.
User with 60 year habit says
re: Did you have any withdrawal
Did you have any withdrawal symptoms at all? If not I would doubt it is the coffee, except it is strange about the timing being so coincidental.
I think the only way of finding out is to stay off for much longer, I have been off for over a year and still have severe fatigue, and I have read a book by someone who still had the fatigue after over 2 years of being caffeine free. although it did eventually stop. It apparently takes about 3 years for all the caffeine to leave your body.
DamnTired says
re: Caffeine causing my fatigue?
Hello all,
I have been reading through most of these posts and I cannot help be notice a trend in the way people feel while having their favorite drink. Mine, is Coffee. Anywhere from 4-10 cups a day for the past 9 years. I write because for the past 8 of those 9 years, my body has been in a constant state of tiredness. NO matter how much I sleep, I always feel exhausted. I have been to every doctor known to man, and spent Tens of thousands of dollars on co-pays, prescriptions, out of network visits, and holistic testing. You name the issue, I have tried it and and the drug that combats it. My only symptom, is fatigue/daytime sleepiness. I have had two sleep studies to rule out sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
I quit coffee/caffeine for about 5 months before and never felt any better, however I'm wondering if I didn't give my cleanse long enough for my body to recover. I can drink coffee and loads of it before bed and fall right to sleep, but I often wake and have crazy dreams through out the night.
Anyone else here like me? Anyone else recover from this?
DamnTired says
re: Caffeine causing my fatigue?
Hello all,
I have been reading through most of these posts and I cannot help be notice a trend in the way people feel while having their favorite drink. Mine, is Coffee. Anywhere from 4-10 cups a day for the past 9 years. I write because for the past 8 of those 9 years, my body has been in a constant state of tiredness. NO matter how much I sleep, I always feel exhausted. I have been to every doctor known to man, and spent Tens of thousands of dollars on co-pays, prescriptions, out of network visits, and holistic testing. You name the issue, I have tried it and and the drug that combats it. My only symptom, is fatigue/daytime sleepiness. I have had two sleep studies to rule out sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
I quit coffee/caffeine for about 5 months before and never felt any better, however I'm wondering if I didn't give my cleanse long enough for my body to recover. I can drink coffee and loads of it before bed and fall right to sleep, but I often wake and have crazy dreams through out the night.
Anyone else here like me? Anyone else recover from this?
User (60 year habit) says
re: I am sorry you are feeling
I am sorry you are feeling bad again, but it is just part of the recovery pattern, although it seems a little strange to have such a big setback after feeling well for ages.
Good idea to get yourself checked out, not so good the adrenal support supplement. How do you know your adrenals are the problem, if it is just caffeine wd, time is the only cure.
I treated my "adrenal problem" with a high protein diet and only got high iron from it, it didn't help my fatigue.
I have checked my ferritin levels on the web and they are at the extremely high end of the normal range, and not in the optimal range, so I have done myself no favours with the diet at all, and I suspect it would be the same with a supplement.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 83 - IRON AND FERRITIN
Hello 60 year habit,
I'm really glad that worked out to be something simple. I had never heard of ferritin before. I'm not sure what red meat has to do with it, but I don't eat red meat. I'm glad your panic is over. 🙂
Tomorrow when I go to the doctor, I'll ask about iron test and ferritin test. I don't think that's what is wrong with me, but it can't hurt to have it tested.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 83 - SET BACK
I feel absolutely terrible today. Absolute total fatigue and loss of appetite. A co-worker went to the store for me and bought me a blood glucose monitoring system in case it was low blood sugar. It wasn't low blood sugar. My coworkers were concerned and said I looked so pale. 🙁 I felt like just collapsing to the floor. I've made a doctor's appointment, but they couldn't get me in until tomorrow. I'm not expecting that they'll find anything, but I've got to try something.
I'm just disappointed. After 60 days, I was doing so well. I had several 100% days and was feeling pretty optimistic. Hopefully temporary set backs are normal. I'm having these gloom and doom thoughts again.
Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Good news is that a coworker who just started overheard my conversation and said that he had experienced the same type of thing. He started taking something that you can buy over the counter supplement to help his adrenal glands, but couldn't remember the name of it. He will let me know tomorrow. Likewise, I'll post on here what it is.