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What are the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal?

Sun, 2006-01-15 20:08 — Daniel

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 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).

Often, people who are reducing caffeine intake report being irritable, unable to work, nervous, restless, and feeling sleepy, as well as having a headache. In extreme cases, nausea and vomiting has also been reported.

References.

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.

Comments

Tue, 2010-08-31 14:24 — BusyMom (not verified)

Caffeine

I work and have three kids so I was sucking down the Redbull, soda, coffee and anything I could drink to get a little more energy to get through the day. This week I decided to cut back and try to drink more water, but I started having these weird feelings, nervous jitters, eye twitching and headaches that I could not get rid of. Not realizing it was the caffeine, I took sinus medication and tylenol, but the pain was still there and then nausea set in...ugh. For two days I suffered with this increasing headache thinking that I had some sort of growing tumor causing swelling of the brain...until this morning, I drank a Dr. Pepper. Sure enough, it was "just what the dr ordered" and I confirmed that I am addicted to caffeine. Within an hour of drinking it, the symptoms and pain are all but a memory and sweet relief is mine for the moment. However, now that I know this evil has taken hold of me, I must find a way to get out of it's grasp.
For those of you that have completed the journey and rid yourself of this drug, thank you for showing me it can be done.
I will begin weaning myself off of this drug on September 1st with hopes of full recovery by the New Year. Wish me luck!

Tue, 2010-08-31 11:38 — Joe (not verified)

quitting coffee

I used to drink 5 cups a day, then quit cold turkey in January of '08. The withdrawal effects were brutal for about a week. headaches, tiredness, crankiness. Just recently I started drinking coffee again. Big mistake. After about a week of 1 cup a day, I was getting headaches at night. So the decision was to either up the coffee amount (slow stream throughout the day) to keep the headaches at bay, or quit. I've chosen to quit. I'm now in the withdrawal stage. It's been two days, and the headaches are starting to weaken. Coffee just doesn't work for me. I don't seem to have problems with caffeine in chocolate, though.

Wed, 2010-08-25 12:06 — Cindy C (not verified)

Third day

I am on the third day of no caffeine. I usually drink 6-8 cans of diet coke a day. I am in hell. My head hurts, I have trouble focusing, I'm tired, irritable and nauseated. How much longer will this last? The up side is the thought of a diet coke makes me want to puke. I have taken 6 ibuprohen tables since last night. Not working really well.

Thu, 2010-08-26 22:29 — Anonymous (not verified)

I found that no pain killers

I found that no pain killers were working. A friend suggested a regime of extra strength excedrin... which has caffeine. I took the max daily dose for several days. Then started slowly cutting back the dose.

Thu, 2010-08-26 22:15 — Anonymous (not verified)

I am at a week. Still feel

I am at a week. Still feel like my head is about to explode 24/7.

Thu, 2010-08-26 13:03 — Another Kim (not verified)

Hi Cindy My thoughts are with

Hi Cindy
My thoughts are with you.
I'm on day 7 from drinking about the same amount of Diet Mt. Dew a day. Part of the day I have no headache, other times I have a DULL headache which I can tolerate. NOT like the first 4 days. I myself cannot wean myself, I don't have the discipline. Cold turkey is the best way but being patient is HARD. I say wait a full week. And ibuprophen doesn't work for me either plus it makes my stomach hurt. TONS of water. Your body will heal!!!! :) Let us know how your doing.
oh yes, and my nausea is gone, HATED that part.

Tue, 2010-08-24 07:07 — Anonymous (not verified)

I think your withdrawl will

I think your withdrawl will be less and easier to tolerate if you do a slow weening yourself off of it. If you drink 20 cups a day start at 19 for a week then 18 the next week etc etc so the symptoms aren't as bad. For me I was only having two cups a day so I didn't have anywhere to go really to ween myself off. I've not been able to stop yawning but I've been able to defeat the headache with Ibuprofin. Good luck all.

Sun, 2010-08-22 14:24 — diane (not verified)

It comforts me to know that I am not alone

I too have just quit caffeine, 5 days ago to be exact. I am very pleased to know I am not alone in my suffering. I really hope that this (headaches, nausea, aches and pains and sleepiness) is worth the pain and agony I have gone through. I quit because of health issues. My doctor believed that the cysts I had (mamogram) were because of the caffeine. I figured that I drank way too much coffee anyway and I would give quitting it a try. I had no idea that caffeine consumption effects your body in so many negative ways. I now am over the headaches (YEA) but I need to nurse my adrenal glands back to health. I actually started eating breakfast and lunch again, something that I never did for the last 30 years because of drinking so much caffeine every day. I can only hope that each day I get healthier and stronger. Hang in there everyone!

Sat, 2010-08-21 10:59 — Anonymous (not verified)

Caffeine withdrawal

This page REALLY helped. I've been having some of the worst symtoms you could have. I had the flu-type symtom (Diarrhea, Migrane, Stomach Ache, Etc.). On a daily basis I consume 1 - 2 cans of Monster (Energy drink) or RedBull. I've been caffeine free for a week now and it's really getting bad... Should I consult a doctor?

Thu, 2010-08-19 13:41 — Anonymous (not verified)

Do they have a rehab for this?

I think it would be best if i was under medical care at this point. I have not had any caffeine since Monday. I was drinking 3 large cups of coffee, at least 2 energy drinks plus a shot of the 5 hour energy stuff not to mention all the tea an diet cokes i sucked down. So needless to say last night was the worst. I literally thought i was dying and had no idea it would be this bad. I was sitting in a meeting at started getting a massive headache. Soon to follow was cold sweats, shaking, and more of the worst headache i have ever had. While on my way home (a one hour drive) i had to stop 4 times to throw up. Sorry to be graphic, but i thought for sure i had food poisoning until i found some other comments on this site.
The quiting of caffeine was brought on by my nutritionist who suggested i wasn't losing the weight like i could be if i quit caffeine. Wait till i see her again. This is the worst thing i have ever gone through.
Any advice would be great to get over all these symptoms without taking caffeine or any drugs with caffeine in them.
So i guess what i need is rehab for caffeine addicts. I certainly can't function like this.

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