|
[ Addiction Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |
Day 1 was fine except for craving. Days 2 and 3 I suffered headaches and fatigue and drowsiness, felt similar to PMS. Day 4 was better and I thought I was clearing but then...
... day 5 I got one of the WORST headaches I've EVER had and I was close to wanting to go to the ER from the pain. That was yesterday, all day, worst at night.
Today was day 6 and I felt good in the morning but then began to get a lower-grade headache for the rest of the day. I've been taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen (I used to ingest caffeine to treat a headache.)
Yesterday, the pills didn't help at all. I'm afraid I may be getting rebound headaches just from the pain medication. I don't like to take it, but this withdrawal has been worse than I thought and I don't know when it is going to let up.
Am I really going to feel better within another week? Like, better than I felt when I was on caffeine? What benefits can I expect (please tell me what I have to look forward to after the suffering).
In Reply to: caffeine withdrawal has been rough posted by female on May 19, 2001 at 00:37:35:
You never answered about my other problem. I gained almost 5 pounds in 4 days after getting off caffeine. I feel terribly bloated. Since caffeine is a diuretic then does this mean I have to live my life with 5 lbs. of bloat every day from now on? I don't think it would be worth it, if that's the case. I feel fat and sluggish.
In Reply to: Forgot something, Dr. Stoll please answer this too posted by female on May 19, 2001 at 00:41:56:
Dear female:
I have been doing a yearly 'purge' for the month of January for the last 4 years where I try to eat more strictly (my regimen of choice is the blood-type diet)and drink nothing but water for a month. The rest of the year I drink coffee and tea although I do get water in there also. The first year, my withdrawal, similar to what you describe, lasted about 3 days. The next year it was 5 days and the last 2 years it lasted 7 days each. I didn't get the headaches the last time probably because I 'decaffeinated' myself in December. I don't intend to give up coffee or tea for good unless it creates a real health problem for me because it is one of life's little pleasures for me, but I do intend to continue giving my body a break from it all every so often. The rest of my diet is pretty healthy including vegetables, high quality protein and healthy fats. From what I read, I am sure it is healthier for you to not drink coffee, etc., but from my own experience, even after about 3 months (I went through March one year), I didn't feel any different by not drinking it.
You will probably get over the bloated feeling, especially if you're drinking water and exercising.
And as far as being worth it, that's exactly what I thought the first time I went through caffeine withdrawal. In fact, I was about to throw in the towel 'cause the body aches were so bad. But they did go away - it's the body adjusting. Give it a little more time - you can always 'go back' if it really isn't working.
Good luck!!!!
- Eileen
In Reply to: caffeine withdrawal has been rough posted by female on May 19, 2001 at 00:37:35:
all this from caffeine withdrawal???
i went from 6-10 cokes a day- a day! to one and then- none
you should have stepped it down a little and then gradually went to no caffeine.
if its tough now- you better endure it because its probably alot better than f***ing up your kidneys or wasting your bladder.
either youve got a weak system or you consumed ALOT of caffeine to have ended up in the hospital- that is pretty sad.
good thing youre not an alcy or hooked on nicotine-
In Reply to: Caffeine withdrawal posted by Eileen on May 19, 2001 at 04:45:23:
I actually found it relatively easy to cut back on coffee (2
cups a day). I replaced it with green tea (which has a
bitter taste like coffee). I found that coffee was making
me extremely nervous (I'm hyper to begin with) and I didn't
like needing to "pee so bad" every time I drank it. What
was harder for me was breaking the coffe sweetener habit (I
love French Vanilla). Now, when I treat myself to a cup of
coffee (1 cup twice a week), I use "Silk Soymilk Creamer
(French Vanilla)," made with organic soymilk. I also find
that since I've cut back on caffeine, I can't drink more
than 1 cup because it gets me too wired.
My "regimen of choice" is also the blood type diet. It
works well for me. Drinking lots of H2O and not eating
after 6 or 7 pm should help keep you from bloating.
Han
In Reply to: what???c posted by coke on May 19, 2001 at 09:49:34:
Yes, all this from caffeine withdrawal. Since you had such an easy time with it, maybe you were not physically addicted as I am. Dr. Stoll said somewhere that the definition of addiction is having symptoms upon withdrawal.
I did step down off the caffeine from about 4 cokes per day, to 3, then 2, then 1. As I said the first day at zero (completely off, no chocolate either), I did OK. Then hell began.
I didn't say I end up in the hospital. I need to read what I wrote again but I thought I said that I *wanted* to go to the ER from the pain. (I didn't actually go)
I don't know if I have a weak system, but I think I am extremely caffeine addicted and caffeine sensitive or allergic even. What else can explain this? I've never drank coffee or tea, only got the caffeine from Cokes and chocolate.
In Reply to: Caffeine withdrawal posted by Eileen on May 19, 2001 at 04:45:23:
Hi, I was never a coffee drinker, but totally into Cokes. Chocolate too. Maybe you are becoming more and more caffeine sensitive since each year your withdrawal gets longer?
I'm drinking water but also caffeine-free sodas. I haven't been exercising, and I know that I need to kick my butt in gear on that. I've just not had any energy.
Right now, I just want to get past this withdrawal. Then, I will focus on the next step for my health. That will be exercise. After I get that mastered into a good routine, then I will add more.
I wanted to take a diuretic for all this water weight gain. But I see that they contain caffeine. Thus the irony here.
In Reply to: Re: Caffeine withdrawal posted by Isabella on May 19, 2001 at 11:19:12:
I'll drink more water and stop eating after dinner. I think salt is affecting me whereas when I was on caffeine it didn't affect me at all. I wonder if there is something natural, such as a supplement, that will counteract the salt-bloat reaction the way caffeine used to for me.
In Reply to: caffeine withdrawal has been rough posted by female on May 19, 2001 at 00:37:35:
You can try Bromelain. One of its actions is painkilling.
There are herbal diuretics that contains no caffeine. Ask for help in a health food store or look it up yourself.
In Reply to: Re: caffeine withdrawal has been rough posted by R. on May 19, 2001 at 18:29:58:
Thank you. I've never heard of Bromelain. I will look for the herbal diuretics. I hope it will work. At least so far today I've had only a faint headache. This is the 7th day and Dr. Stoll said withdrawal can go on for up to 2 weeks. I'm hoping I am through the worst of it now. I guess my addiction was stronger than I thought. Must be why I've always failed in this attempt in the past.
In Reply to: Re: Caffeine withdrawal posted by Isabella on May 19, 2001 at 11:19:12:
Hmmm...I am a coffee drinker. I have four kids and never get to sleep on time, so I have half a cup of coffee around 7 or 8 am every morning. I feel like I'm addicted, simply because without it, I have no motivation to "get going" with my day. However, I don't LIKE to drink more than this. This little bit is great, but I get a bad taste in my mouth and a bad feeling in my stomach if I drink anymore. So my question is, is coffee okay in moderation like this? I haven't found anything else that helps, but I don't get headaches from it if I don't get a cup one day.
In Reply to: Re: Caffeine withdrawal posted by sarahw on May 20, 2001 at 18:12:21:
Hi - About 10 years ago I was very much addicted to coffee (the caffeine in it, I'm sure). I was drinking about 12 cups a day--always had a cup with me doing housework, etc.
When I complained to my internist that I was very nervous, he immediately suspected the amount of coffee I was drinking and said that if he drank even 2 cups it would land him in the hospital. I cut it way down and one day had none; I slept on and off the whole day. Then I decided never to drink coffee again. Recently, I have been having one cup a day and it doesn't bother me at all now. If I want more coffee, I have decaf. Like you, if I go a day without it I'm fine. My daughter-in-law also was advised to give up coffee because of hyperactive-feelings, but she has recently started having one cup a day. So, what I am saying is that one cup a day doesn't seem to cause addiction in my experience. Hope this helps! (I, too, look forward to it in the morning!)
In Reply to: Re: Caffeine withdrawal posted by Raisa on May 20, 2001 at 19:13:44:
I don't know what to do, I have headaches EVERY day and this is day 8 now. I haven't cheated at all but I'm getting worried that this is never going to stop.
In Reply to: caffeine withdrawal has been rough posted by female on May 19, 2001 at 00:37:35:
Hi, Isabella.
Congratulations on your efforts. As I have said, many times on this very BB, refined carbohydrate addiction is inextricably linked to caffeine adiction.
SO, if they are not done together every person will suffer as you are suffering.
Besides, the slightest trace of caffeine (or refined CHO) will trigger withdrawal for months. Decaffeinated coffee or tea has that trace in it.
You have chosen the most miserable way to do this that there is.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: caffeine withdrawal has been rough (Sigh!) posted by Walt Stoll on May 21, 2001 at 06:55:51:
I am NOT Isabella! I am posting as "female".
I'm not drinking decaf coffee or tea. Please read MY post that started this thread.
I didn't mention refined carbs in my post. But, I am sad to think that if I cannot give up caffeine and sugar at the same time than I shouldn't bother even trying to do anything. I am trying to help myself and have begun by giving up caffeine. I have done so PERFECTLY (no traces, whatsoever) now for 8 days (this is day 9).
When I have tried it your way (perfect whole foods), I have failed EVERY time. Forgive my frustration but I'm getting the impression that according to you, I might as well quit. If I can't do everything, I might as well do nothing? Would you ask an alcoholic to give up cigarrettes at the same time he quits alcohol, and if that's too much, well then forget it?
Sugar and caffeine are both addictions, strong ones. I have suffered greatly getting off caffeine. I just want to know why my headaches have been SO severe (was tempted to go to the hospital on day 5) and so persistent.
I've also had irregular heartbeats with a sensation of adrenaline when it happens, and muscle twitches the last 2 days.
I'm not ready to give up sugar yet. So, having given up caffeine perfectly, please tell me if you think there is something underlying wrong with me why I have had such severe persistent daily headaches this far into it. I was only bargaining for about 4 days of misery.
Thanks and excuse my frustration, I'm going through withdrawal!
In Reply to: Re: Caffeine withdrawal - STILL HAVING HEADACHES EVERY DAY! posted by female on May 20, 2001 at 19:36:48:
Maybe you should try having a little coffee (or cola, etc.) and test your body to see if the headaches go away. Everyone had different types of withdrawal symptoms, don't you think? Maybe your withdrawal symptoms are like mine were when I gave up nicotine--now that was HORRIBLE for me, but some people just quit and that's the end of it (I hate them!--just kidding). Of course, with cigarettes you can't even have one because the habit gets harder to break each time. I don't think that's the case with caffeine. But I did find that I couldn't quit cigarettes "cold turkey", so maybe it's the same with you with caffeine?
In Reply to: Re: caffeine withdrawal has been rough (Sigh!) - DR. STOLL!!! posted by female on May 21, 2001 at 09:58:23:
Caffeine withdrawal affects everyone differently. You may have headaches for a while. It may be weeks.
As for Dr. Stoll's post, it was a bit harsh. But for me personally, of the two caffeine to me is the lesser of two evils. If I had to pick one to give up first I would pick sugar (and other refined carbs) because I know the benefits to my body are so much more pronounced. Sugar is soooooo much worse for me. Giving up caffeine is OK, but it's not the big ugly physical addiction that I find refined carbs to be. I can have a cup of tea in the morning and not crave any for the rest of the day. That is not the case with sugar. Once I start eating it, it's a roller coaster all day and it's all I want to eat.
He is right in a sense, because sugar really does suck and is very bad for you. But if you feel like giving up caffeine first, don't be surprised if sugar addiction becomes a problem.
In Reply to: Re: Caffeine withdrawal - STILL HAVING HEADACHES EVERY DAY! posted by Raisa on May 21, 2001 at 16:50:31:
No, I can't do that. I was needing caffeine every day in order to not get headaches, which is why I am now off caffeine - to get out of that cycle. I think for me at this time, I need to avoid any trace of caffeine until my body lets go of the addiction totally. Dr. Stoll said before that I could "test" it after 6 months. I will probably test it in 3 months, with a little chocolate or something with low caffeine. But until then, I'm off caffeine 100%, and looking for a reason why the headaches have gone on this long.
In Reply to: Re: Caffeine withdrawal - STILL HAVING HEADACHES EVERY DAY! posted by female on May 21, 2001 at 20:54:13:
It sounds as though you are having an "addictive allergic
reaction." When an individual is made to go without the
food (here coffee), depression, headaches, fatigue,
aggression, extreme nervousness and other withdrawal-like
effects may appear. Having the food (coffee) may momentarily
alleviate the symptoms, only to aggravate them later. Over
time, the symptoms of the addictive allergy grow worse.
Intense cravings for particular foods usually result from
these hidden allergies. For example, drinking coffee may
really be "an attempt to stave off withdrawal-like symptoms
induced by going without" it (or any hidden food allergy for
that matter) for too long. The withdrawal symptoms may be
the headaches themselves. It may take some time for these
symptoms to disappear. To alleviate the headaches, drink
LOTS of H20 and practice LOTS of SR!! Hidden allergies can
temporarily impair the cells responsible for sending out the
signals your body needs to function properly. When you
drink coffee, the "thirst signal" is impaired. To help with
the cravings, start an exercise program (if you haven't done
so already). It increases the blood flow bringing needed
nutrients to the starved cells. I've also heard that
Vitamins C & B6 are helpful in blocking allergic reactions.
Caffeine and sugar destroy the B vitamins and the minerals,
magnesium and iron as well.
You may want to consult a holistic doctor who can prescribe
some homeopathic remedy. Good lu
In Reply to: Re: Caffeine withdrawal - STILL HAVING HEADACHES EVERY DAY! posted by female on May 21, 2001 at 20:54:13:
Hi - Well, I didn't realize you took the headaches BECAUSE you had tried before to get off the caffeine (sorry,guess I didn't read your post correctly). For you it is like a potent drug. I got addicted to Valium when it was given out like candy by the doctors. I only took one pill (10 mg) at night. Then one doctor told me that I shouldn't take it anymore, so I stopped. My withdrawal symptoms were as bad as I imagined a heroin or cocaine addict would have. When I realized that I was addicted, I was determined not to take another pill no matter what. It took months of anxious feelings, palpitations (I even went for a stress test because I was sure something was wrong), but gradually things got better and better. Afterwards, I felt so much better! I hadn't realized what the accumulation of that drug in my system had done to my personality (irritable, jumpy). It wasn't helping me at all! I have decided that I have an addictive personality. "Cold turkey" is the only way to go, but surely your doctor can help you with the headaches (besides doing SR, etc.) Maybe having massages would help. I wish you good luck! Raisa
In Reply to: Re: Caffeine withdrawal - STILL HAVING HEADACHES EVERY DAY! posted by Raisa on May 22, 2001 at 10:00:34:
Maybe if you have any leftover valium you could send it to me - haha.
I'm having another headache right now. I can't imagine enduring this for months! I guess I'll take some more motrin but I've noticed in the past that I get "rebound" headaches from motrin/aspirin.
A part of me thinks there is something wrong in my head causing all the headaches, since I needed caffeine to control them before and now look what's happening.
In Reply to: Re: Caffeine withdrawal - STILL HAVING HEADACHES EVERY DAY! posted by Isabella on May 22, 2001 at 09:22:18:
Your first paragraph pretty much sums up the situation. Thanks for the tips. I'm not ready to give up sugar until I stabilize off the caffeine. Even then, there are other things higher on my health to-do list, such as exercise. I need to take things a step at a time. Master one thing, then move on to another.
I have a headache again today. This is day 10. I think I miss the chocolate the most. Im afraid to even eat one oreo or tootsie roll or anything that might have caffeine.
In Reply to: Re: caffeine withdrawal has been rough (Sigh!) - DR. STOLL!!! posted by female on May 21, 2001 at 09:58:23:
Hi, female.
When you did the PWFD trial did you give up every trace of caffeine at the same time? If not, is no wonder you failed. There is a direct metabolic connection between the Kreb's Cycle effect of caffeine and refined carbohydrates.
This is not at all like giving up cigarettes and alcohol at the same time! If you had done your homework you would know that.
Besides, from what you are saying, and how you have chosen to say it, you need serious SR a lot more than changing your diet. It takes longer that way but...........
Walt
In Reply to: Re: caffeine withdrawal has been rough (Sigh!) - DR. STOLL!!! posted by Walt Stoll on May 23, 2001 at 08:35:07:
Yes. When I did PWF I totally eliminated caffeine. (I have the book). I think I am really addictive to both sugar and caffeine, so giving up both at the same time proved too much.
Cigarrettes and alcohol are both addictions that are hard to quit, which is why I used that as an example.
Yes, I do need SR. My frustration was from the unrelenting headaches. After this many days of suffering, I got a little testy.
In Reply to: Re: caffeine withdrawal has been rough (Sigh!) - DR. STOLL!!! posted by beth on May 21, 2001 at 17:48:42:
nmi
In Reply to: Re: Caffeine withdrawal - STILL HAVING HEADACHES EVERY DAY! posted by female on May 22, 2001 at 16:37:47:
Hi - I'll go try to find a dealer. :-) Have you tried extra-strength Tylenol? My daughter used to have stress headaches caused by her job, I think. She went to a doctor and came home to show me a "prescription" he had given her.
It was for Theragran!!! She had all kinds of symptoms--stomach pains, constipation, etc. She finally somehow got over whatever it was that was causing the stress and now she's fine, but still easily gets stressed out (so do I).
Don't you think that part of it is that you are constantly thinking about your headaches? That is not to say that you don't have them--but I know that when I dwell on some discomfort or pain I have, it gets worse. Since you are going through this, why not just give up the sugar, too? Easy for me to say, I realize, but what's the use to suffer like you are if you are just defeating the whole thing by having the sugar if cutting that out would solve the problem? Then at least you'll know if giving up both is the answer! My son has diabetes and can have no sugar (he doesn't like coffee but does have sugar-free sodas sometimes). He uses artificial sweeteners. Are those permitted? Just try it for a few days and see... Raisa
In Reply to: Re: caffeine withdrawal has been rough (Sigh!) posted by Walt Stoll on May 21, 2001 at 06:55:51:
Ya know what???? We're all addicted to somethin'." Whether
it be sugar, caffeine, alcohol, religion, gambling, food,
sex, work, etc. What helped me with my sugar, caffeine,
alcohol addiction was finding a PASSION!!!! Giving 100% in
something I truly love and believe in. For me, that is
martial arts, my family, health and spirituality...and
believe it or not, I still slip every now and again. I know
I'm not perfect and I have much to learn. Isn't that why we
have all gravitated to this cool website??? My
suggestion...Find what your PASSION is...and chill!!!
Love and Peace and Namaste!!!!
...
In Reply to: Hey Dr. Stoll & "Female"/Re: caffeine withdrawal has been rough (Sigh!) posted by Isabella on May 24, 2001 at 03:09:03:
EXCELLENT, Isabella!
Nothing wrong with any addiction so long as the benefits outweigh the damage. It is not a moral question but a practical consideration. The only way one can find out if their particular addiction is costing them more than it is helping is to get rid of it, carefully assess what your life is like and then go back to it and again assess.
Walt
In Reply to: caffeine withdrawal has been rough posted by female on May 19, 2001 at 00:37:35:
Only coke???
I"m not sure if you knew this or not.. but Coke has a LOT of caffeine in it. That's the definition of cola. Originally, a soft drink had to have a certain amount of caffeine in it to be considered cola. This marked it as something that could be used to help keep you awake or releive hangovers (back in the day).
|
[ Addiction Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |