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 (60 year habit) says
re: Thank you for your thoughtful
Thank you for your thoughtful and kind message - I am feeling a lot more hopeful and I find what you say very encouraging. I have been off 24 months now.
So glad you are feeling better and getting on with your life!
6 Year Habit says
re: ALMOST 11 MONTHS - NO CAFFEINE
Remind me how long you've now been off of caffeine 60 Year Habit. Seems like I remember the one book that you recommended said it would take 3 years for caffeine to completely leave our system. And it seems like you are, or were, around the 2 year mark. And even though the book said 3 years, that can not necessarily be 100% true for everyone. People's metabolism differs from person to person. I'm sure there are other contributing factors like length of usage, weight, diet, medical history, etc. I think that I got over mine so quick (quick being relative and being 7 to 8 months) just because I was on it only 6 years. Plus I lost nearly 50 pounds during those 8 months which may or may not have sped things up. I know vitamins store in our fat cells. Just don't be discouraged. People do overcome the after effects of caffeine all the time and I have faith that you will too!
RR says
re: Rob, Have you tried MSM? I
Rob, Have you tried MSM? I used Doctor's Best MSM 1000mg capsules during my last "quit" and felt it was much easier. I only took one a day but I am a small woman (115lbs) so you might need more. MSM and lots of water really made a difference for me. After two days of sips of coffee I simply drank a big glass of water whenever symptoms appeared. I mostly just had headache, irritability, and sleepiness. The MSM is easy to find on line on Amazon or Iherb but I have also seen it in Publix and I think Kroger as well. Hope you see improvements soon.
RR says
re: Haven't been back since I
Haven't been back since I quit. I just wanted to point out that when I wrote that I just started my "new caffeine free life" I was already past the point of needing a sip or or two of coffee to make the headache go away. The declaration I made was from a place of hope -my first day. I think the fact that you were so quick to "correct" me might be from your own caffeine withdrawal symptoms (caffeine irritation).
But, even if I had a small square of chocolate for Valentine's Day I still wouldn't restart my Caffeine Free ticker as there is a negligible amount in a bite of chocolate or a sip of coffee. If I had to have a bite or sip every day to stave off withdrawal symptoms I would rethink the decision to declare myself free of caffeine but since I no longer have symptoms and rarely have chocolate I just don't think it's worth getting anal over.
I'm certainly not above being muddled but I'm polite enough not to point it out in others.
Rob says
re: End of Week 1
I’m caffeine free for a week at the end of today : no coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate etc. I stopped cold turkey as that’s the only way that seems to work for me. It has been pretty unpleasant and sadly the unpleasantness continues. I expected the first 2-3 days to be rough but for things to be pretty much OK after that. They were rough as I expected – headaches, mental fogginess and a desire to sleep the main problems. However since the 4th day the headaches have continued (although milder) but have been joined by muscle aches, particularly my back and legs and a general anxiety. Rather than being desperate to sleep I am struggling to sleep at all. I don’t know if my reaction to caffeine is abnormal – maybe I’m allergic to it or something – and so it affects me in a way that it doesn’t affect “normal” people. For me it’s a serious drug that impacts my life in a major way, the strength of the withdrawal shows this. I gave up smoking many years ago and although time may have distorted my memory, I don’t remember it being anything like as hard as this.
Anyway, I’ll keep plugging on a day at a time and things will hopefully improve soon. My life has to be improved by removing a substance that makes me feel like this.
User (60 year habit) says
re: when you said you were going
when you said you were going to write the week off, I thought you were going to stay off work, so I do admire your stamina, and I hope it goes as well and as quickly as it has before.
Rob says
re: Caffeine withdrawal is a bitch
Well, I’m on day 2 of stopping caffeine cold turkey (again) and it’s hard. I’m at work but I’ve done very little for the last 2 days and can’t imagine I’ll get much done tomorrow either. I don’t mind though – I figure the increase in productivity through being able to think and focus more clearly will easily offset a couple of lost days. My head hurts, I can’t think, my leg muscles ache and keep spasming and most of all I just want to sleep. I'm getting very annoyed very easily too. Having done this a few times I know Day 2 tends to be the worst in terms of acute withdrawal – tomorrow should be more like Day 1, then from Day 4 onwards things should get progressively better (and easier).
I hope I’ve learned my lesson this time – caffeine and I just don’t mix. I don’t know why, despite the vast majority of people seeming to be able to use it with impunity, it screws me up royally. I think I’m far better off without it, I just need to stay away, a day at a time.
User (60 year habit) says
re: well that sounds wonderful to
well that sounds wonderful to me, (I am in despair thinking I will never recover from this ), so thank you for letting us know.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 307 - NO CAFFEINE - FEELING NORMAL AGAIN
I'm not sure how wonderful it is. It is very nice to not "need" caffeine to stay awake or wake up. I'm normally have no problem whatsoever going to sleep other than due to my recent ear infection. The only way that I can describe it is that I feel perfectly normal: not too much energy or too little energy. A year ago while on caffeine, my gym workouts could only last an average of 30 minutes. Now my average is between 2.5 hours and 3 hours. I guess it is "wonderful" to NOT be experiencing the fatigue, the neuropathy, the shortness of breath as I fall off to sleep, the depression, the worry of falling victim to catastrophic illnesses, etc... I just have a normal average energy level without being hyped up on caffeine. I no longer think much about how I feel being off of caffeine because it is so normal now. I'm not sure if this is what you you're requesting. But I do love keeping a nice even energy level all day long and not be experiencing the ups and downs throughout the day driving my need for caffeine.
User (60 year habit) says
re: thank you so much, so do
thank you so much, so do I!!!!
How do you feel now you are better? Is it as wonderful as people have described? or perhaps you are not quite there yet, do let us know…. (a blow by blow (symptom by symptom) description please)
So glad you are feeling better.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 306 - NO CAFFEINE - NOW I UNDERSTAND
Now I understand 60 year habit. Thanks. I look forward to the day when I come to this website and see that you're 100% recovered. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
User (60 year habit) says
re: Rob (and 6 yr habit) do check
Rob (and 6 yr habit) do check out the blog i got that "Answer" from, it is so helpful …. It will be so good when you are caffeine free and feeling well (if only, in my case too)
There are quite a few posts from ppl who have gone back on to no avail. Get some supples in for your week off, DVD's, good food etc etc. Thinking of you…
6 yr habit, I just found that quote explained why I felt so much worse after I came off even though I was allergic to it when I was still ingesting it, I think the allergy makes wd even more severe.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 306 OF NO CAFFEINE - ALLERGIC REACTION??
Hmmm... I'm not sure exactly what you mean with that quote 60 Year Habit. I recently had a severe allergic reaction for the first time ever to Neosporin and Neomycin ear drops. Both contain Neomycin. I didn't really think about a possible connection, but is this possibly connected to what you are saying? It's kind of hard to prove in my case since I'm not experiencing caffeine withdrawal symptoms any longer. However, I've never really used Neosporin or Neomycin in my life until now, so it may just be a coincidence. It's just that I've never been allergic to anything before until now.
6 Year Habit says
re: DAY 306 - NO CAFFEINE
I haven't been on here for a while and haven't been reading the posts. My motivation for looking at this sight everyday disappeared when my withdrawal symptoms disappeared. I'm just posting a comment to say that I'm still caffeine free. The first 6 months were hell. Months 7 and 8 were much better. Months 9 and 10 were absolutely symptom free with no relapses. I only drank coffee for 6 years, so I'm guessing that's why I recovered quicker than 60 Year Habit. For anyone suffering through the withdrawal symptoms, I just want you to know it does get better. Hang in there and the effort is worth it.
I recently suffered through 4 weeks of ear infections that greatly interfered in my ability to sleep much. I might have gotten 3 hours per night, but still resisted caffeine during the day. For the most part, I was able to stay awake fairly easily despite having no sleep and not drinking caffeine. I'm sure it would have been very difficult if I was still trying to break my addiction.
Having said all of that, I do still find myself tempted occasionally to have just a little caffeine, but then remind myself of the torture of coming off of it. I feel like I'm in AA and just taking it one day at a time. It's not as bad as that, but there is similarity.
Hang in there everyone!!
Rob says
re: Thanks
Thanks 60YH. I'm still drinking coffee, but not a huge amount - about 2/3 cups of strong black coffee a day. I've never drunk huge amounts, but even this fairly small amount doesn't make me feel good. I guess maybe I’m allergic to it – I don’t know how I’d prove it, but after many years of using it, I think I’ve (finally) proved to myself that caffeine and I are not a good combination. I am however addicted to caffeine – if I don’t use it I feel bad, so I rationalise and find reasons to keep drinking it to avoid withdrawal. I've been here lots of times before (not just with caffeine) and I know the answer. I simply have to stop.
In my experience, although tapering makes logical sense and sounds like a good way to go, I never stick with the taper plan. I start with good intentions, but once I’ve had any caffeine, I persuade myself that I may as well have a coffee and that I’ll give up tomorrow. This cycle repeats endlessly, for literally years. The only way that has ever worked for me is to just stop “cold turkey”. As a friend of mine is fond of saying, you stop doing something by stopping it. The only way out is through.
So tomorrow is my birthday. I’ll drink coffee but then stop all caffeine from Wednesday. No coffee, no tea, no caffeinated soft drinks or chocolate. I know what is going to happen and how I’m going to feel (I’ve done it enough times before to know…) but I’m just going to have to accept it and wait for it to pass. My experience has shown that it will; while there are lingering withdrawal symptoms, I’ve found the nastiest, immediate ones only last a few days. I’ve decided to write the week off from Wednesday – I don’t care if I get nothing done, as long as I stop caffeine.
User (60 year habit) says
re: rob here is an answer to your query
from yet another blog "how to go caffeine-free and beat the hellish withdrawals"
'Sean, Today, I gave up. I gave up to a cup of tea because I couldn’t take it any more but after drinking the cup of tea rather strange thing happened. I had the worst experience of my life. After 2 hours of drinking I thought, I should be able to feel like I used to feel before on caffeine but this was not the case, my heart starting pumping very fast, I thought I would die on the spot and my eyes started twitching also. Both of these symptoms happens when the intake of caffeine is too much but I only drank a cup. So, overall I still feel shitty and emotionless after drinking a cup.
You mentioned you gave in to coffee couple of times during withdrawal. Did you felt like before after drinking or you still felt the same ? Also, how far you were in withdrawal when you gave up ? Did your eyes twitched like crazy during the withdrawal. The reason I’m so paranoid because what if this is permanent.
You’ve been of so much help.
Thanks bud.'
this blog states that withdrawals from caffeine usually go on for months, not days.
hope this helps
User (60 year habit) says
re: "Allergy-type addiction is
"Allergy-type addiction is also fairly common, especially with coffee, but also with tea, chocolate, and cola. With allergy, withdrawal from the substance may lead to even worse symptoms."
User (60 year habit) says
re: from caffeine informer posted today
"mirandarichards75 • 15 hours ago
I am sensitive to large amounts of caffeine in any form, but particularly from coffee, much more so than tea. I drank a strong cup of coffee before a hike last week and thought I was having a heart attack: MAJOR heart palpitations, a feeling of impending doom and anxiety, racing thoughts. Coffee also gives me a mild form of OCD: sometimes I won't be able to stop what I'm doing or parlay into the next task. This only happens with coffee and not with tea. Also coffee causes facial numbness, and a worsening of a drooping of one side of my face (I have had an MRI, no stroke, Lyme or MS). So basically, coffee is bad news for me!"
User with 60 year habit says
re: I copied and pasted te last
I copied and pasted te last post "I used to be a really happy" etc. from another caffeine site, and I did it in such a hurry last night (I have been having problems with my broadband disappearing), that I didn't make that clear with quotes around it.
so I want to make it clear that it isn't a recent post , it was made about 5 years ago, and I have lost the link, but I was so relieved to read that I am not the only person experiencing weird OCD symptoms (even though I have only had them since I came off caffeine, and she had them whilst she was on it), that I had to paste it somewhere, and on this site is the best place for all this info. Her description of her discomfort and mood describes me exactly at the moment.
Apologies for any confusion.
User says
re: I used to be a really happy
I used to be a really happy girl. Never cared too too much about my weight, working out too much. I wasnt fat or anything but i was just happy and my body wasnt on my mind much. Then my dad started bringing a bunch of diet coke home...
I used to haaaate dieet soda. But the more I consumed it, just cause it was there, I started to notice i always got really happy when i had it. I would feel ambitious, hyper, excited.
But since then its been about a year and im totally different. Since those times, I've become OCD about my bod, cant have certain parts touching, cant stand to wear clothes, hate the way my legs feel when i sleep, stare in the mirror and obsess over really...really stupid things that deep down i know arent really real, but yet i cant stop myself from caring and getting really unbearably irritable about it.
And things like when my boyfriend is a minte late, i freak out. When he leaves town i freak out. If he says something the slightest bit weird i flip out, and he makes me feel annoyed when i know he isnt even being annoying, and it makes me sad because i love him and i dont want to be a crazy lady. I hate to hurt his feelings. I just cant control it.
Im only 20, i should be happy. not irritable, over-emotional, ocd, wacko.
Is this caffeine? I have about two a day. My gut tells me it is but im just wondering if anyone knows about it. I wanna get back to my old self,
User with 60 year habit says
re: Thanks for letting me know, I
Thanks for letting me know, I agree that it is better to focus on the positive and I do that myself, and I always include what I find has helped me - but I also feel that we need to be able to accept the more difficult things about our recovery, which absolutely does not mean that they are negative, they just are, and if we hide them they can go underground and run riot! So I also do everything I can to help my recovery - walking every day, diet, meditation etc etc. So when I say that I am feeling crap, it is the truth, but it is not "negative", it is just the way it is at the moment.
I don't even think the fact that I was feeling that I had to go back on caffeine was negative, it was just the way it was at that moment, and if i had gone back on I would have dealt with it. It is this blog that enables me, at least, to feel that I am not alone in my struggles with caffeine, and I do hope my posts are not perceived as "negative".
I think we do both agree about how to get through our recovery, but our perception is different. Thanks again, and I would love to know if you try the audio book solution to insomnia, and by the way I am glad to know that you are sleeping better, because I am too, in spite of waking up 2 or 3 times a night.
Jackie says
re: 60YH
Of course, it's Ok, 60 YH, thanks for your apology. Haven't got much time now so this is a quick reply - but didn't want to leave you in the lurch. I haven't processed everything you said but it struck me that we all deal with things differently. I find I'm better and cope better if I focus on the positive - that's why my healthy diet is so important to me - it makes me feel like I'm doing something very positive about my health (and I know it helps). If I focus on the negative when I write here, it pulls me back down e.g. i used to endlessly stress and beat myself up about how long I'd been trying to get off of caffeine ........now, I try not to think about the past and how long I'd been trying to wean off but focus on the future and being pro-active. That way just works better for me, now. Anyway, got to go - but will look at your post again tomorrow. TC JACKIE
User with 60 year habit says
re: ps Jackie I remember now
ps Jackie I remember now about your terrible fear etc. I had done a long much more sympathetic reply to your last post, but I pressed the wrong key and got blocked and lost every word of it, so my last reply is much shorter and less sympathetic, but I am and was too tired to repeat it, but I want you to know that I am VERY SORRY to have offended you, and I hope you will post asap that you have forgiven me.
My lost post took me an hour to write, sod it….
User with 60 year habit says
re: Jackie, I am sorry - I have
Jackie, I am sorry - I have been going by your recent posts, and I had forgotten your earlier ones Duhhhhh , but that is caffeine wd, I find it hard to concentrate atm.
I do accept my feelings of irritability and I think it is better to tell the truth on this blog, because I don't find constant "positivity" helpful, and I wonder if the need to pretend that everything is fine (even too yourself) is one of the reasons you have found it so difficult to get off caffeine in the past. Just because I tell the truth on this blog does not mean that I tell anyone in the real world
It isn't "taking it out on" anybody to be authentic about how one is feeling on this blog. The reason I am so open about how I am feeling is because I know how much the old (truthful) posts on this blog have helped me, and in the unlikely event that anyone else who still feels crap after being off caffeine for 21 months ever reads this blog in the future, what help would it be to them if I don't tell the truth? Knowledge is power.
I also wake up 2 or 3 times a night, and I have found having an audio book on cd helps me back to sleep (Anthony Trollope
is particularly soporific)
I hope you will be able to forgive me for saying that your last post to me has been far more helpful than any one of your posts where you have accentuated the positive, the authentic Jackie is the one I really admire and prefer, so thank you so much for posting and I hope you can forgive me my mistake.
Jackie says
re: 60YH
Well, obviously you have not been reading all of my posts as you would know that I've had terrible withdrawal symptoms and still do have some - like depression. anxiety, exhaustion (I feel better SOME mornings but feel terrible by pm- I woke up thus morning and felt like crap - ill, exhausted etc (and I have a full day of full-time care ahead of me), anger (but I don't take it out on people on here), hopelessness, fear(still), aches and pains, I do sleep better some nights but still wake up 2 or 3 times in the night and can't get back to sleep etc etc.
When I post on here I try to support people and I try to accentuate the positive to boost myself up and make me feel that I'm getting better. In view of all the posts I've put on here regarding what a terrible fight I've had with caffeine, I found what you said to me offensive and dismissive.
Maybe you should go to see the doctor or just accept that that's how you feel. After all, we did it to ourselves - we drank the caffeine which made us ill, cranky and exhausted. It's our responsibility.
User with 60 year habit says
re: Jackie
You don't seem to have a problem with caffeine (apart from the fact that you enjoy it, and see that as a problem), if it were a problem you would definitely be feeling worse and not better at this point, but you are not experiencing any withdrawal symptoms at all, so why on earth are you giving it up????
As for my anger it is purely and simply down to caffeine wd, and it will stop when it stops. It is impossible to describe, but it is so petty and so vast at the same time, it is nothing to do with anything big or psychological, it is just everything. My shoes irritate me, my hair irritates me, my fingernails irritate me, the way that man on the tv is going on irritates me, that mark o the carpet is driving me MAD!!! etc etc etc etc etc etc etc, it is so wearing and so B O R I N G . My backache is very tiring too, but not quite as bad as it was, and although the GI problems are unpleasant, I don't really mind them because they signify big changes that are happening generally. If you are not experiencing any of this, I don't think you need bother to come off caffeine because it doesn't really affect you - lucky you.
Jackie says
re: 60YH
Oh, dear, that sounds awful - I know what it's like to be angry and irritable (like I've said) and it makes you feel horrible - you don't want to feel that way. But maybe if you just let yourself feel that way and not try to get rid of it, it might die down on its own, sometimes. That's what I find - and don't feed it i.e. don't kick the cat, metaphorically speaking. Easier said than done. I know. I think that in view of the problems you've had in your life, it's understandable......so don't beat yourself up for feeling that way. Sometimes, when something goes wrong AGAIN, the added pressure sets you off. Sometimes there's just too much pressure.
At least you seem set that you won't go back on the caffeine. Remembering how it REALLY made you feel is a good way to stop you. You don't want any setbacks. I've been beset with them for so long that I feel time is running out.
One other thing I thought was that Mandy said that the caffeine addiction/withdrawal brings out other issues and I agree. Any repressed anger/ irritability/distress seems to surface. At our age, we've perhaps had more time to accumulate negative feelings....so it could be that, as well, and your life has been very difficult, as you've said. The good thing is, though, I've found that they do 'drain off' as time goes by. Hope that's how it is for you. It must also be very difficult when you feel so physically unwell, too. How are you sleeping these days? I'm definitely sleeping better and it does help. Well, I can't think of anything else to add - let us know bow you're doing.
Update for me: still having the odd bad day but didn't want any coffee this morning (again) so that's a good sign as I feel it's naturally waning. I only run to it when I'm so stressed, when I just can't take it all. I should take my own advice and let the stress 'drain off' lol.
Anyway, thinking of you and sending best wishes. We've got snow this morning - it looks lovely.
Hope everyone else is doing well. Jackie
User with 60 year habit says
re: Thanks Jackie, time to myself
Thanks Jackie, time to myself is a big problem at the moment, but I am angry all the time regardless of anything - I wish it would stop. I've got a horrible feeling that it wllll take me about 5 years to recover completely. Every time I am tempted to go back on, if I stop to remember how bad caffeine made me feel after losing my tolerance after only a week, I realise that it would be impossible to get back on the stuff now after nearly 2 years. I remember it made my throat bleed it was so sore, and the nausea was so bad I could hardly stand up…. I don't think I really have any choice, but it helps knowing you are there for support, so thanks again,
When Ii was tapering off my cold tea from the fridge, that's when my fatigue began, have you noticed anything like that happening to you? And that was when the OCD stuff started for me too, I was hoping that once I was off it would stop, but no such luck yet….
I sometimes feel that nobody believes me when I say I am still suffering after nearly 2 years, so your support is very important to me.
Jackie says
re: 60YH
So glad you had some help, even as you were going to the shops! Sometimes, just getting outside, even it's freezing cold, will lift your mood. I'll look at that letter when I've got a bit more time, thanks.
You've told me about how demanding your life is (like mine, so I do understand) and I wondered if you ever get any time to yourself? Sometimes, when I feel like I'm ALWAYS in demand - looking after absolutely everyone, with no time at all - I get very stressed - then irritable - then angry. When life is putting too many pressures on us, we do get frustrated and angry. That's why my time in the morning is so important to me. Anyway, try to have some time to yourself is the only thing I can come up with.
Update: I think my desire for coffee is finally waning. I woke up this morning and DIDN'T WANT ANY!!!! Hurrah! I still wanted a comforting milky drink so had a grain 'coffee' (Whole Earth's No-Caf - it's very good). I've noticed I've been sleeping a lot better, too, since I've been cutting down even more (albeit with the odd bad day). Had about 8 hours last night - which is a record for me (since I was a teenager!) Also, just the one milky drink is sufficient - later, I either have Redbush tea or fresh ginger tea (which I've taken quite a liking to). Diet is very good - and really enjoying it. For the first time, I'm genuinely looking forward to the spring /summer and a caffeine -free life. It feels good to be posting, here, without caffeine in my system (only had decaf yesterday).
Well, so glad you didn't have any. If you need to vent on here, any time, just do it. I look most days and will reply if you need a bit of support.
Hope everyone else is doing OK - Rob, Mandy, Sarah - and everyone. TC Jackie
User with 60 year habit says
re: Hello Jackie and Rob, well I
Hello Jackie and Rob, well I stumped off to buy some teabags, and I noticed how the frost was glittering in the sunshine, which for some strange reason cheered me up, then I remembered a letter which I cannot copy and paste but I will try and post a link, the letter is to a "Friend" from "withdrawal symptoms" and I found it on another site devoted to another drug, but it really helped me. My mood suddenly changed (for a while) the very next day, but I am back cursing and swearing today….
Now I will try and post the link from a website called Recovery Road.http://d2vqx76lplv3ab.cloudfront.net/9c/25/i99820956._szw1280h1280_.jpg
please dont get discouraged You will do it when you are ready.
Thanks so much for posting to me
its so strange because i am not depressed, just always angry and irritable…… weird
and as for the backache and GI probs…...
Jackie says
re: 60 year habit
Please let us know how you are. I'm sure you look on here every day so please post. If you have had caffeine, it's not the end of the world as you can decide to stop again, if you want to. Worried here, so please post 🙂 TC jACKIE
Jackie says
re: Rob
Hi, Rob, sorry to hear you're still struggling - it's like being on a treadmill, isn't it? You keep walking but don't really get anywhere. I've been doing better - having 1 decaf in the morning, generally - but then, on the odd day, the stress of my life gets me down and I have a bad day because I think I can 'run away' , have a good old cup of coffee which, as we all know, makes the world feel OK (for about ten seconds, now!)...and then it runs away with me and I over-indulge on everything. But doing better as a rule.
I wondered if you could concentrate on just giving up either sugar OR caffeine? Decide which one you'd rather do without and try to stick with that. Or you could try to keep your coffee to 2 a day (better than the 7 I was having) and then have some sugar but try to have it bound up with fibre so it doesn't spike your blood sugar so much e.g. flapjacks. I must admit, I can't eat chocolate (although it doesn't tempt me too much) as it turns me into a werewolf - I'm not kidding, I get very angry and hate everyone when I eat it lol- it must be the chemicals in it. If I can also say, I don't mean it to be critical (God knows, I've got no reason to be critical with my history) but when you post, it feels like your heart's not really in wanting to give up. Do you really want to give up? Someone on here once said to me, you'll give it up when you want to. Anyway, any thoughts? TC Jackie
Jackie says
re: 60YH
Well, I hope you don't! This is perhaps an understandable expression of all of your frustration and I do understand how you feel. But think how far you've come to get off it and, if you do go back on it, you will only end up feeling worse in the long run. As Rob said, the lift is very short term and then you end up feeling anxious and, in your situation, even more exhausted than you already are. Let us know how you're doing asap. TC Jackie
Rob says
re: How are you ?
AW60YH, how are you ? Not sure if that was a genuine post from you or someone messing around ? I am back on caffeine and have been for a few weeks after a couple of months off. I'm currently trying to limit myself to a couple of good quality coffees a day. I have been here before and if I'm honest it's just rationalising a bad habit...
I have 2 big health challenges in my life - caffeine and sugar. I spend alot of time in various permutations of which I'm going to give up - both all at once, just caffeine, just sugar etc. In the past I've given up caffeine, then started eating chocolate again which contains a small amount of caffeine and on it goes.
Anyway, hope you're OK. If you have used caffeine again it would be interesting to hear from you and what your experience has been - did it improve your mood ? My own experience is that it does, but only on a short term basis. The "energy" it gives is quickly replaced with anxiety and exhaustion. Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.
Rob says
re: How are you ?
AW60YH, how are you ? Not sure if that was a genuine post from you or someone messing around ? I am back on caffeine and have been for a few weeks after a couple of months off. I'm currently trying to limit myself to a couple of good quality coffees a day. I have been here before and if I'm honest it's just rationalising a bad habit...
I have 2 big health challenges in my life - caffeine and sugar. I spend alot of time in various permutations of which I'm going to give up - both all at once, just caffeine, just sugar etc. In the past I've given up caffeine, then started eating chocolate again which contains a small amount of caffeine and on it goes.
Anyway, hope you're OK. If you have used caffeine again it would be interesting to hear from you and what your experience has been - did it improve your mood ? My own experience is that it does, but only on a short term basis. The "energy" it gives is quickly replaced with anxiety and exhaustion. Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.
User with 60 year habit says
re: it's no good, I can't stand
it's no good, I can't stand being in a bad mood another day, i am going back on caffeine.
User says
re: Appetite
At what point did you get your appetite back if you lost it? I read one blog where the writer said it took two months for her to feel genuinely hungry
Sarah says
re: An update at 5 1/2 weeks.
The
An update at 5 1/2 weeks.
The over sensitivity has gone down but am still sensitive to highly processed foods. My hormone levels seem to have evened out a bit and feel less weak day to day.
Two discoveries I have found that I find really interesting:
1. Previously I thought my alcohol tolerance drastically lowered but I have concluded that I am just able to more accurately determine my level of intoxication. It seems caffeine masked my ability to realize my level and black out from drinking many nights (I do not have an alcohol problem but I am a typical college student and with basketball season in full swing it is bad luck to not have a beer in your hand).
2. It seems my sleep apnea has become more prevalent. I think it is because I am either sleeping longer consecutive hours or caffeine helped my sleep apnea. Sedatives and depressants (such as alcohol) in your system relax your throat muscles even more making sleep apnea worse so it would logically follow that stimulants would keep the throat muscles less relaxed, resulting in less instances a night.
Again, thank you so much for everyone sharing their stories! It really helps every day when I am tempted walking by a 7-11 or Starbucks. Have a great day!!
Sarah says
re: Update (from Sarah)...
Thanks
Update (from Sarah)...
Thanks so much for all of your help!
Slowly becoming less sensitive to things that were really hard at the beginning. I have found what I thought was a decrease in tolerance for alcohol was just a better ability to determine my level of intoxication without any caffeine in my system (ps Im just a typical college student and it is basketball season -- bad luck not to have a beer in your hand!). I am able to wake up faster in the morning instead of taking a few hours and caffeinated drinks to fully wake up but I am never as awake during the day as before. My nausea is almost all the way gone which is really exciting and am much less weak feeling.
Again, thank you so much for everyones posts on here. It really helps and I am finally feeling somewhat back to normal. I am still tempted every day to pick up a red bull but I am finding it easier to say no. Good luck to everyone in their efforts and have a great day!
User with 60 year habit says
re: Speaking of housework,
Speaking of housework, although I can't stand doing at the moment because of back ache and fatigue, I have developed a sort of ocd awareness of dust and dirt and untidiness, so I cannot stand any sort of mess (which is too bad, because there always is mess atm because I am so tired all the time), have you noticed anything at all similar Mandy? (Or anyone else). It is a complete pain. Plus atm I am having another patch ov etreme sensitivity to smell, so I can't stand any unpleasant smell either. Jayson said it took 2 years for his ocd symptoms to disappear, I fear it's going to take longer than that for me...
User (60 yr habit) says
re: I do too, but you cancreate
I do too, but you cancreate MSG yourself by long slow cooking, ie when making meat stocks (although I know you are vegan),
but barley malt and flour improvers are the same, so I have also to make my own bread using only wholemeal flour because of the additives in white flour unless you buy it in FRance where they don't fortify it.
My water filter was new and I only used it for 10 days before I had to stop…
this was a quick note so apologies for any typos…
yes I do put my sensitivities down to meds and caffeine wd
oh and skimmed milk contains MSg too but I am sure you know all this!
Jackie says
re: Mandy
Mandy, it seems you've had all the classic symptoms of caffeine withdrawal and this is obviously still affecting you. But, as you say you have a junk food habit, I am wondering if some of your present symptoms are coming from this. I know from experience and it's well documented that junk food with all its additives, preservatives, artificial flavours etc etc, saturated fat, added sugar/artificial sweeteners etc etc can make us feel really ill and I genuinely think that you can feel better if you eat better. There are hundreds of sites (and books) to explain healthy eating so you could have a look at some. I don't know if you work or have a family so don't know how much time you have to research, shop and cook - but here are some pointers for now, as best as I can.
* If you are eating a lot of junk food and processed food, it must seem like a mountain to climb, so climb it slowly.
* Start by introducing more fruits, vegetable and salads - aim for 5 a day to start with and then increase as your appetite changes (it will and you will want more!).
* Change your carbs from refined to whole e.g. brown rice, not white, wholemeal bread/pasta not white, potatoes with skins on.
* Cut out (or at least cut down) on processed main meals. Have good quality protein : chicken, fish (both white fish and oily - like salmon), beans/legumes. Have some good quality red meat (beef, lamb, pork) but try not to have it more than twice a week.
* Cut right down on sugar: cakes, biscuits, pastries etc Sugar, which is just as toxic as caffeine, is addictive and plays havoc with your blood sugar. Try fresh fruit or if you need something sweet, try low sugar/ fat flapjacks. You may get other ideas from books/the net. I haven't had desert for many, many years and it becomes a habit and I don't miss it (ironic, I know, considering my coffee habit!).
* Have less salt - processed food is loaded with salt etc.
*Cut down on saturated fat - cheese, fatty red meat and, above all, processed foods like luncheon meat, salami etc.
This seems like a list of 'you can't eat this and you can't eat that' but there are many delicious and tempting foods to eat, in their whole state. When I started to change my diet about 16-18 years ago, I bought books with titles like 'healing foods' which were illustrated and the wonderful array of colourful foods inspired me and made me realise that healthy food can be enjoyable. There are a ton of these books on the market today, with recipes etc.
I realise, as I said, that it's a mountain but research and introduce some changes gradually - you will not regret it. I would say that if you can only make 1 change for now - introduce 5 fruits/veggies. Good luck and feel free to ask me any questions. I would have tried to make this more specific but brain energy is running out. TC
Jackie says
re: Just a quick update - I'm
Just a quick update - I'm doing well on the tapering and cut down, again, this morning to just over half a teaspoon of coffee.
Normally when I have a whole teaspoon, I still get quite wired (as you can probably tell!). Now, I fell less manic but, more, I wish I could just stop. I do think, now, that my habit is purely psychological. When I woke up this morning, the mental craving to have the coffee and the (false) promise of a 'normal' life was all-consuming. It really is set in me and I would not have believed that such a psychological false belief could be created in a person. Anyway, I have become my own psychoanalyst and am finding ways to change it. Very determined with my food - I'm having so many super nutrients which will hopefully outweigh the effects of the coffee. Thanks, all, again.
How is everyone doing ?
Jackie says
re: 60 year habit
It seems you have become incredibly sensitive to just about everything, 60YH - that must be very difficult. I presume you think your sensitivity id due to the meds and caffeine? Well, I looked it all up and they say that you get tiny particles of charcoal of the water when the filter hasn't been changed as often as it should. I do use a water filter and glad you brought this to my attention as I must confess I have't been changing it as often as I should have been. Also, it said that the filter doesn't kill bacteria so it's important to change as per the instructions as the bacteria can build up and cling to the charcoal. I use the Brita one and I looked up an independent review and it said that it does remove chlorine and metals - so fingers crossed.
Also, I looked up truthlabelling. I did know about MSG causing problems but am careful to avoid it. I eat whole foods, anyway. so wouldn't come across it. I know you have to be very careful with processed food, tins etc.
Thanks for the tips, anyway, and hope you're doing awap.
Mandy says
re: thanks anon 60 yh i hope so
thanks anon 60 yh i hope so too! at least a decent gap before the next lot. its the faster eft by robert smith specifically which seems v different to the trad eft, hes charismatic though so maybe thats a factor. anyway next patch of brain fog i get im trying it, have been trying it on headaches and housework today with apprent success...brain fog remains elusive again today.
Mandy says
re: to reply to you jackie, i
to reply to you jackie, i drank diet coke only for about 17 yrs, so there was a bit of an aspartame and caffeine overlap in the wd symptoms. ive never drank coffee so there were some wd symptoms i never had like the muscular joint pain many desctibe. i had weird head feelings, headaches, sinus problems (i researched this one and found that caffeine is mucus inhibiting) dizziness, light headed, gi problems, panic attacks, anxiety, muscle twitches, being sensitised inc sore itchy eyes, sore scalp and getting a few rashes from products id been using no problem for years, brain fog, insomnia and scary head rushes when sleeping to wake me up they were vile, some brief phobia reaction about contamination i remeber holding some chips with a serviette to avoid using my hands, and lots of flu like stuff.
i completely agree with you that food will be the best medicine but this self care and nourishment stuff is all new to me and i have a junk food habit. you sound very knowledgeable about this kind of thing, if you suggest me a starting point I'll give it ago.
and i read youre feeling stronger again, good, any caffeine reduction is a sucess isnt it.
User (60 year habit) says
re: jackie I keep forgetting to
jackie I keep forgetting to tell you that I decided to drink filtered water again (after a long break) a year or so ago, but I had the most dreadful reaction to it, it took a long time to figure it out, but I googled something like "problems with charcoal filters" and I am not the only one, I only used it for 10 days and it took 2 or 3 months for my gut to get back to normal. The symptoms were severe nausea after eating and severe stomach pain, (which I of course thought must be something to do with caffeine). If you r interested I could find the link for you .
When I looked at the filtered water it did contain tiny particles of activated charcoal, and if you look up the side effects pf activated charcoal, you might get a bit of a shock (I did).
User (60 year habit) says
re: Jackie I am so glad you are
Jackie I am so glad you are feeling encouraged, but please don't think of doing a cold turkey, slow and steady is the easiest way for us oldies I think.
BTW, I am also v interested in nutrition and found a brilliant site called truthinlabelling about hidden MSG, it is a real eyeopener, and has helped me immensely because I am EXTREMELY sensitive to MSG. Let me know what you think if you do get time to check it out
I felt the same unwillingness to drink caffeine (cold tea) when I was tapering too, but it would have been an even longer recovery period for me if I hadn't tapered I am sure. (if I could have got through the dreadful depression etc)
Keep in touch, we worry when we don't hear from you.
Jackie says
re: P.S.
I'm perhaps getting too analytical here but I wanted to say that as my caffeine 'high' is falling away, the old thinking pattern of being unable to do it, being in a tug of war, feeling anxious, scared and uncertain etc - those feelings are all starting to creep back BUT the big difference is that there's a separate part of me that's aware of it! Wow, caffeine really does mess up your perception and brain function, does it not?! You've been right all along, 60 YH re this notion. I won't experience the clarity/reality etc until I'm off it. Makes me even more determined and want to take control. It's had this power over me for far too long - it's the time to take back my own power. I WILL do it this time. I'm 64 years old and it's time to get my life and health back.
Jackie says
re: Many 3
I just saw this, Mandy. I'd try anything if it helps. Also, I hope it's Ok to share this. Before I got up this morning and foolishly had my tapering amount - I did feel calm and in myself, as I said, despite feeling physically rubbish. I also felt that I've spent the last 3 years in this battle, always running round (both internally and externally), trying to fix myself. Last night, I felt really rough but then felt that maybe I needed to try to stop 'running' and try to be more still and 'listen' to my body or just let it be a bit and, of course, give my body and brain the chance to heal. Then this morning, I felt that calm etc. I guess I'm saying if we get off the caffeine, look after ourselves as much as we possibly can, then ways of helping ourselves might surface, intuitively - if that makes sense. I'm perhaps not explaining what I mean very well - but I believe there's sometimes an answer, inside, if we can 'listen'. Not sure if this is a help or not. TC