Coffee and Caffeine FAQ

OK, for five years now I've had off and on strange symptoms, started with dizziness, loss of appetite, stomach problems, restlessness, being "shooken" awake, depression, etc..

I decided to quit caffeine about three years ago and noticed a big change. While I had general anxiety symptoms - I've been an anxious person most of my life, most of my scary symptoms started to dissipate. I began working again, have two jobs now and had a hearty appetite.

Then in December - after going back on caffeine, at least 3-4 cans of pop a day since the summer, if not more, I felt the symptoms hit back pretty hard. I got scared again, anxiety really crept in. I tried to quit caffeine but couldn't. palpitations, chest pain, GERD symptoms, twitchyness, numbness, flu-like nausea, anxiety through the roof.

I got back on caffeine and that was able to get me through somewhat. Until last Friday. I had my third pop (diet mtn dew this time) of the day at work (I work 15 hour double duty on Fri and Sat - I like to call it my nightmare weekend). I began to feel dizzy, confused, lightheaded, twitchy, panicky. I have klonopin, which I take only when I need to (and I've been taking a lot more of recently), and that settled me down.

I decided enough's enough and quit cold turkey. Needless to say most of my "scary" symptoms went away. The pains, twitching, numbness, chest pains and general anxiety haven't shown up since. I'm left with a set of new ones though. Saturday I had an awful headache all day and by Monday night I developed a pretty raw throat and cough that hasn't got worse, but hasn't got really any better. On top of that I'm quite tired and haven't been able to sleep that well and have had some shakes/anxiety. That said, I feel like I'm withdrawing rather than going nuts like I was when I was on caffeine. I'm pretty hopeful these new symptoms will dissipate as well as I stay off caffeine (and sugar for now) and they are definitely not as scary as the weird stuff I experienced drinking caffeine.

By the way, I also ordered a product called Well Tabs that I saw a commercial for. Generally I don't "fall" for such ads targeted at, well, the frustrated self-medicating depressed type. But I've had success with multi-herb formulas before and I've been taking it for two weeks or so with some nice results. At the very least it seems to keep your bowels regular and thats always a plus. I'll continue to try those (plus my daily intake of One-A-Day, Grape Seed, Flax Seed and Magnesium) as well as stay off caffeine and (for now) sugar. Despite my new sluggishness, I'm generally feeling a lot better about things.

I am only on my second day without coffee, I drank 2 or 3 cups a day. I recently saw a kinesiologist and he told me that caffeine (coffee) is one of the very worst things I could be putting into my body. I knew it was bad but have been putting quitting off. I have had pain in my right shoulder that my chiropractor cannot get rid off, nor other things I've tried- I have been doing hair for 27 years. The kinesiologist said that caffeine causes inflammation, or also something else in my diet. Also I am wondering how acidic my body is... I was wondering if anyone posting here got rid of a ache or pain in one area after getting off coffee? I thought for sure my trouble was from my job, but I guess you never know. And also I am so thankful to see all these posts about everyones withdrawals because I am already extremely foggy, sick feeling, all sorts of stuff already on day two, I feel like poop and feel sad/ depressed. Feeling this terrible makes me realize even more what this must have been doing to me. I tried a coffee substitute from the health food store but its gross.....

Kerry

Ok, I quit drinking coffee nearly 3 months ago. I was also taking a supplement to workout with called ripped fuel which has caffeine too. I averaged a latte or 2 a day and one pill. Ever since I have quit them both I have felt pretty bad. I went trough the normal withdrawal stuff but even now I am constantly foggy, pressure in my ears, headaches, tired, etc. Can anyone tell me if this is normal? I'm a bit concerned that it may be something else. I am a 28 yr old male, if that helps to know. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh, I have taken sudafed and a antihistamine in thoughts that it may be sinuses or congestion and neither do much good at all.

well, heck. WHERE did this feeling come from? 80+ days since I've had a cup of coffee...and I am feeling absolutely crazy today. LOTS of energy in my head invested in trying to talk me into going down the road for just a bit...and then there is the part saying "no, thank you" but it feels incredibly small today.

I suspect it is hormones. I woke up in the throes of a peri-menopausal hot flash/cold flash/morning sickness/emotional blah tornado...most of that has subsided but what is left is this intense, nagging, blinding headache and the craving for coffee.

Anyone else out there see any relationship between hormones & cravings for coffee?

so far, I'm staying strong...but today it seems less worth it somehow.

Vic