Coffee and Caffeine FAQ

I gave up a Diet Coke habit of 20 years-- lately only 20 oz per day-- cold turkey, but the withdrawal was unbelievable! I thought it would just be headaches, but the 3rd morning I woke up with cramps down my back and both legs, and could barely walk. I had chills and sweats, a terrible headache, nausea and severe GI distress. The next day was better but still had cramps. I thought I was reacting to the wrong dosage of a new prescription. How could that little Diet Coke make me feel so bad? I know people who drink much more soda than that. I would certainly not recommend cold turkey, and if I'd known I was going to be so sick, I might have thought twice about giving up Diet Coke at all.