what symptoms if you stop drinking caffeine?

[Grumpy's Gal]

does anyone know what symptoms you will have? anyone ever done this?

 

[Christine]

Usually it is headaches--pretty bad ones too (although not migraines).

 

[Spinning]

On the few occassions where I have stopped drinking caffine, due to none in the house LOL! I had
1. mild to dull headache
2. Slightly testy
3. tired

Then luckily I got my caffine fix and all was well again!

 

[melanie18]

It's a really, really bad headache for me.

 

[beckmrk04]

Depends on how much you're used to gettting... I got bad headaches for about a day. That was it.

 

[simba928]

When I cut back on pop (I mean majorly cut back, going from 3-4+ cans a day to 1), I got fairly bad headaches. If I don't drink at least one can of pop with caffeine in it, I still get headaches.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I get bad headaches for a good week. Since my migraines have gotten worse, if I were to give up caffeine now I would get migraines. Used to be I just got bad headaches.

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Egads, the headaches. Just a word of warning, once you are OFF caffeine and inadvertently have some (more than what you get in chocolate!), you ALSO get a headache. Mine were pretty bad, but not migraines (which I also have and which are totally different).

Good news, it CAN be done, but I would recommend slowly cutting back before going cold turkey.

I have been (mostly) caffeine free for almost four years, with only the occasional glass of iced tea and the inadvertent caffeinated coffee (after specifically requesting decaf - yes, the headache a couple of hours later is a SURE SIGN).

 

[LBAK]

I gave up caffine and I had the worst headache of my life. I serious thought I had a brain tumor or aneurysm, that's how bad it was. It lasted about a week and then I was fine.

 

[hentob]

Not to hijack, but I guess I am

But we can all learn from this question--

For those who gave up caffeine--Do you feel you are better for it? Do you feel healthier? What were your health benefits?

I consume waaaay too much caffeine. I am almost embarrassed top reveal how much

 

[Fredd's Girl]

I've quit and gone back several times. And each time I got horrible headaches, was exhausted and even got the shakes one time. But that's when I was younger and I lived on Coke Products. I try to limit myself now, but if I go too long without caffiene the headache will kick in.

I think I've read that for some people it's just like coming off of a drug.

 

[TheRatPack]

I had horrible headaches and just felt bla, almost nauseated. I usually only drink 2-2liters a week though, where as my husband drinks maybe 4-2 liters a week plus the 20oz he consumes during the work day. He drinks a LOT of caffeine drinks.

As far as feeling better for quitting. I did quit cold turkey a year ago and within 5-6 months I'd lost 7 pounds! I was also drinking more water though, so that could have been flushing out my system.

 

[mickeyboat]

I don't drink that much caffeine - I limit myself to about two sodas per day.

Before DH has had his coffee, no one can even talk to him, so I shudder to think what the symptoms would be in my house if he gave it up.

Denae

 

[Servants of Evan]

I was completely decaffinated for almost six months. I'll tell you, it was the worst six months of my life! Yes, you start with the headaches but then they'll go away after a week or so. The first day you'll beg someone to just pluck your eyes out with a spoon but it does get better... After a few weeks, I was doing fine. I think I was sleeping better and I know I didn't have to make that nightime visit to the bathroom. I woke up more refreshed, though I'll admit it was harder to motivate early in the morning without that dose of liquid wake-up...

 

[LiteBrite]

To answer the question about health benefits of giving up caffeine - I've been off of it for about 3 years. I'm sleeping better at night, and hubby (who gave it up at the same time as I did) found that his Restless Leg Syndrome almost completely went away. (If you haven't heard of Restless Leg, it's a condition where your legs twitch constantly when you lie down at night - very annoying!)

 

[LiteBrite]

To answer the question about health benefits of giving up caffeine - I've been off of it for about 3 years. I'm sleeping better at night, and hubby (who gave it up at the same time as I did) found that his Restless Leg Syndrome almost completely went away. (If you haven't heard of Restless Leg, it's a condition where your legs twitch constantly when you lie down at night - very annoying!) Also, there's the benefit of not needing the caffeine to feel awake, and not having a midafternoon headache when you don't have your 3:00 pick-me-up cup of coffee.

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

hentob -
I came off of caffeine b/c of pregnancy, so it's hard to tell you what changes have been caffeine related vs. new mommy related! What I can tell you is that I no longer **need** caffeine as a pick-me-up in the morning or late afternoon. I was somewhat dependent on it those many years ago. It has also encouraged (not forced) me to drink more water, which is certainly healthier. There are relatively few beverage choices when out dining that do not include caffeine. (Alcohol, on the other hand, . . . )

 

[puffkin]

I had a harder time giving up the sugar in my regular soda than the caffeine. Now that made me testy!

 

[jlaspoq]

I get a headache if I don't have caffeine - first realized it when I was getting headaches every weekend. I drank a cup of hot tea daily at work, but not at home. Took me awhile to figure that out. Now I'm very aware of it on weekends - I'll usually choose a caffeinated soda for lunch if I haven't had any up to that point.

When I went OFF caffeine (due to pregnancy) the headaches went away pretty quickly and then no more problems.

 

[maggs]

I drank lots but was instructed for health reasons (by the doctor) to give it up.
I had no problems at all. The biggest problem was finding a good decaff. I drink Starbucks decaff now (great coffee) but it costs a fortune.

Maggs