caffeine withdrawal - not nice!

joyfull

Firstly, I hope this doesn't breach the 'medical issue' discussion ban.

I decided yesterday to stop my 1-2 daily coffee drinks (& anything containing caffeine) in order to help years of insomnia & extreme menopausal flushes.

All going OK until about 24hrs into it (today lunchtime) & developed the mother of all headaches, extreme nausea, upset bowels, sweating, shivering. It was scary & intense. I can tolerate a lot normally - but not this. I've since taken some caffeine to alleviate the symptoms & will, from tomorrow, adopt a gradual withdrawal, taking less & less caffeine over a period of time.

Considering this is a legal substance, & most people partake, it's kind of shocking how addictive it has become (in me). I do know of someone who lives on coffee & stopped it 'cold turkey' & had no symptoms. How different we all are.

I'd be interested in other's thoughts/experiences of this.

Thanks.

withabix

Try decaf - might be psychological?

(or the ten pints you had last night...)

got-it-spend-it

Wow, I'm really surprised that you had such severe symptoms from the withdrawal of such a small amount of caffeine. Is there anything else that could have caused the symptoms?

I stopped drinking caffeine when I fell pregnant last year and had previously consumed a similar amount to you. I was lucky and had no adverse reaction and can now take or leave it (although I am breastfeeding so mostly opt for decaf).

xxvickixx

I used to drink a lot of coffee and one day I stopped and experienced very unpleasant headaches as you described. I had a couple of cups and I was OK again. I learned the hard way that I had to cut down sloooow!
I only drink one cup in the morning now and can't see myself ever wanting to give that up lol!

_Layla_

I've been a complete Diet Pepsi addict for years.. drinking around 2 litres a day. I stopped cold turkey and had much the same symptoms with added dizziness so bad that i ended up going to the doctors and being send to A&E as he simply wouldn't believe it was caffeine withdrawal. Having since weaned myself off over a period of 3 months (done by switching to Diet Coke and alternating between that and Caffeine Free) I will never touch a caffeinated drink again! Evil stuff!

joyfull

got-it-spend-it wrote: »

Wow, I'm really surprised that you had such severe symptoms from the withdrawal of such a small amount of caffeine. Is there anything else that could have caused the symptoms?

I stopped drinking caffeine when I fell pregnant last year and had previously consumed a similar amount to you. I was lucky and had no adverse reaction and can now take or leave it (although I am breastfeeding so mostly opt for decaf).

I'm certain it was caffeine withdrawal. I'm a very light body weight & have a sensitive system in many ways. Will go down the decaff route ..... gradually.

fayhare

I had the same symptoms after stopping drinking all caffeine just over a year ago. I had a major diet coke/pepsi max habit and drank at least two litres a day. I actually had to take a few days off work as the headache/shaking/vomiting was terrible. I would say it took a week to clear and although it was terrible I am so glad I did it.

I now sleep much better, look/feel healthier and I would say it was one of the best things I have ever done. Cutting down gradually would never have worked for me as I am an all or nothing kinda girl. I will never drink a caffeine again thats for sure.

glowgirl_2

Hi, I'm amazed that someone is doing the same thing as me, I'm so sorry your struggling, I gave up caffeine last Thursday, I was on about 5 or 6 cups of coffee a day and the odd diet coke (about once every two weeks), however I am doing Atkins to try to loose a bit more weight and I had stalled, I did a bit of research and I read that caffeine and sugar substitute can slow your weight loss on Atkins, they were right, the first day I gave up I lost 3 pounds:DAnyway, I had similar symptoms to you just not as severe, the worst one being the headache but I feel fine now, I do really miss my morning coffee, I'm going to dry decaf coffee when I hit my target weight(can anyone recommend a decent one that doesn't taste too smokey?) but I am drinking large amounts of Red Bush Tea and actually enjoying it, I seem to have huge amounts of energy:j - might be a help if your finding things hard - best of luck:).

bulchy

I've just reduced my caffeine intake over the last 3 weeks, went from having 4-5 cups of Kenco blue (strong) to help with my pms symptoms which mainly consisted of painful breasts (sorry if too much info) started off with just having 2 cups a day, am now just having the one a day and the rest of the day have Carte Noire decaff, I've tried a few and thats the best tasting one imho. The only symptoms I got were headaches, I never suffered tham in the past so know its been the caffeine withdrawl to blame, still have a headache now but not half as bad as it was the first few days, not nice at all, and I honestly cant see myself going back to drinking that many cups ever again, but at the same time, couldnt see myself giving up that first caffeine fuelled coffee I have in the morning I know its helped with the pms as well, so it was worth the suffering.
Sue

glowgirl_2

to help with my pms symptoms which mainly consisted of painful breasts

Thanks for the advice, I liked normal Carte Noir so might give that a go, I know its off topic, sorry OP:o but with regard to the above can I suggest Evening Primrose Oil, I would recommend a very high dose, I take the high strength one from Boots, sometimes I take two a day. It has sorted out my very very constantly painful breasts (and they were lumpy:eek:) and as a nice little bonus, greatly reduced my PMT (and I'm baaad) and I have glowing skin, another poster on here suggested this too me (thanks Belfastgirl) and I honestly haven't looked back:).

richardvc

I gave up caffeine about 12 years ago and occasionally get the headaches after eating chocolate.

I hope you are all aware that caffeine is in loads of things to watch out for ie tea, some headache pills (if they say 'extra' the extra is usually caffeine), coke, loads of other soft drinks ie Dr Pepper, Irn-Bru and all of those like Red Bull.

I am amazed that there is no regulation in place with regard to caffeine and that so many things have it as an additive !