Questions about giving up soda

[GinnyEmma]

I think it really depends on the person. Caffeine is a drug and just like some people can stop smoking fairly easily, some people can take caffeine out of their diet and do fine. I have a very high pain tolerance(took only ibuprofen 12 hours after brain surgery), and I live with daily headaches as well as occasional migraines. My withdrawal from one Diet Mountain Dew per day was like two days of hell--a headache that even prescription meds did not take away, to the point that I could not get out of bed for two days, as well as body aches and nausea. Once I stopped, though, I haven't gone back. I don't have cravings at all.

BTW, I stopped drinking caffeine because my doctor through my headaches may be related, but no such luck. I even gave up aspartame for 2 weeks and that didn't work either. Splenda IS a big trigger for a migraine for me.

Fellow migraine sufferer. Sorry yours weren't helped.

Caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches, and a bit of substitution can help.

 

[torinsmom]

Fellow migraine sufferer. Sorry yours weren't helped.

Caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches, and a bit of substitution can help.

No substitution helped for me DURING withdrawal. Really, the caffeine was the only reason I was drinking the Diet MD. I much prefer my Sam's water.

I guess I HAVE had a lot fewer migraines, but the daily headaches haven't really improved. It is so expensive to track down what causes them!

 

[GinnyEmma]

No substitution helped for me DURING withdrawal. Really, the caffeine was the only reason I was drinking the Diet MD. I much prefer my Sam's water.

I guess I HAVE had a lot fewer migraines, but the daily headaches haven't really improved. It is so expensive to track down what causes them!

I don't know if it is worth it. (Says the gal who hasn't found an answer yet.)

I was thinking of a caffeine substitute. I think if I were going through it now, I would try a 'mint" like Jolt. Thankfully, I like my green tea, and it is good for me.

 

[mhsjax]

I have tried quitting soda countless times. I always go back to it. I always say it's the trifecta of addictions: caffeine, sugar, and carbonation. Every time I try to quit, I can barely function. I know that when I've cut back and drink more water instead, I do feel better all around and I sleep better and wake up better. However, I think I am going to wait until Spring Break to make another attempt to fully quit. I will work on cutting back before than, but I need to at least function throughout the day. The state testing period is NOT the time to be drowsy. Proctoring is dull enough without a caffeine infusion.



There may not be any proof, but I have found a correlation in my case. I don't know what the root cause is, however. It may be because if I am drinking more soda, I am drinking less water. It also could be that I crave more soda and junk food at certain times of the month, and it's really the hormones at play while it appears that the foods are the cause.

I am sure some people do have skin problems due to soda, just as some have extreme headaches due to the artificial sweeteners, my old boss did. And I would never tell someone not to give up sodas if they wanted to or thought they needed to. And yeah, stay on the caffeine until your testing is done. That would be trouble. lol

I just happen to love Diet Coke, so do most in my family, we all, so far, have lived very long lives, no problems what so ever with sodas. Yes people do have problems, but I just don't see them as the root of all evil that some do. And in fact I can guarantee you that if I went off soda, the world would be a much nastier place. It is one of my last remaining vises and unless life threatening, I won't be giving them up. But I do wish anyone that wants to, Good Luck and much success. I will raise my glass of Diet Coke to you. lol

PS, As far as sleep, I guess I am lucky. I can drink 2 BIG cups of coffee with caffeine and go straight to bed, no problem what so ever. My mom, couldn't have any caffeine past about 4:00 pm, or else she couldn't go to sleep.