Caffeine Withdrawal...

[DrivenHeart85]

I'm going to quit caffeine, at least for a month to see how I feel. Reasons: decrease anxiety issues, I hate being dependent on a mood altering substance, money and also because it's become torture for me to get out of bed in the morning when my alarm clock says so. No, I don't judge caffeine proponents...I just want OFF this ride for a bit. lol I would do a gradual decrease but I'm addicted to it and if I have a little, I want to have a lot...kinda like I was with booze. haha

Now, after doing some internet perusing, I found the following tidbits to be commonly noted about cold-turkey caffeine withdrawal: 1.) It lasts up to 2 weeks but the first 3 or 4 days are the worst. 2.) You should quit it during time off from work since you'll be able to lay around all day. 3.) It won't truly be out of your system and your body won't have fully reverted to pre-caffeine conditions for a whole 6 months.

Doesn't that all seem a tad bit over the top to anyone else? I read all of this and then started to whine and moan about how awful it would be. But I've gone through alcohol withdrawal more than 3 times...and I'm worried about caffeine withdrawal??? lol I didn't even take off time from work for quitting alcohol, though I did have 1/2 a sick day the last time for the dizziness. But does anyone else think that quitting caffeine is probably way easier than what I described above? I'd think you'd just get a headache for a day or two, be really tired for a week or so but nothing tragic and bam, done.

What do YOU think?

[ChopperTS]

Yeah a bit much if you ask me. Headaches were the main problem and mild irritablity. I just took some painkillers and got on with it.

[Ghostly]

In my experience it wasn't just head aches, it was excruciating head pain. It did last for about 2-3 days. That was with tapering off. If I had quit out right my head would have imploded. Although they do make pain killers that are supposed to help with this particular issue, but things like ibuprofen did NOTHING for me.

As far as the three points above you are asking about. Only three seemed odd to me, but I just don't know if it's true. It doesn't seem unbelievable to me.

The head aches and being tired though are the main issues, and I wouldn't compare what a lot of people go through with alcohol withdrawal to caffeine withdrawal.

Good luck.

[Ghostly]

Double post.

[Fandy]

why don't you use 1/2 caf. coffee for a few days and see how you feel?

if you take Excedrin for headaches it contains caffeine.

Personally, I drink about 6 cups of high octane every morning but nothing with caffeine after 12noon. if I'm sick and miss the coffee for a day or 2, it's not a problem.

[DrivenHeart85]

Ok, I think I'm ready to do this. I'm not getting good sleep at night and I'm not the "moderating" type when it comes to addictions. lol It really is just like alcohol for me...I would've never been able to taper down from beer and I'll never be able to taper down with caffeine, nor do I think it's really worth it. I'd rather rip the bandaid off in the first 3 days.

After doing some "research" online I found that taking amino acids like L-Phenylalanine during the quit can help with withdrawal symptoms. I think I'll be sure to also stay on top of my B, C, and D vitamins and drink swimming pool sized amounts of water. Salt and ibuprofen for the headaches. And for the fatigue, who gives a rip...fatigue is the reason I'm quitting caffeine...I don't have insomnia but I don't get deep sleep anymore and waking up is so hard I want to cry. lol Plus when I don't have an alarm clock to wake me up, I will sleep for something like 12-14 hours; this is why I think I'm not getting deep enough sleep. Also a teeny tiny bladder, and caffeine doesn't help with that either.

[Ghostly]

drink swimming pool sized amounts of water

+

Also a teeny tiny bladder

=

That should be interesting.

[DrivenHeart85]

Very interesting indeed! lol And it's a long trip from my work area to the bathroom!

[DrivenHeart85]

I mentioned the amino acid L-Phenylalanine to aid in caffeine withdrawal but it turns out these amino acid buddies are helpful in all sorts of addictions. Nutrition : The Addiction Recovery Guide

[neferkamichael]

I'm beginning to believe that nicotine, caffeine, and sugar are more addicting than, cocaine, alcohol, and pot.

[Tippingpoint]

Interesting. Ever since quitting drinking I've noticed a real spike in my intake of sugar and caffeine. The sugar doesn't bother me so much as I'm not really gaining any weight...but I wonder what the caffeine is doing to me.

[MrSilver]

As others have said, I found the head pain to be very tough. In fact if I don't get enough caffeine I start to get head pain and feel very tired. I should really cut back on my soda intake (2-3 cans a day average) because of how unhealthy it is. However I am hooked on the cafeine.