boshemia Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Does anyone else here have a caffeine withdrawal story? After fifteen years of a six pack or more a day I am quitting. I didn't exactly make a decision, I just got a really bad kidney infection, high fever, and nausea... and couldn't even think about anything but water for a few days. The anti-biotic worked on the infection and it is pretty much gone. The fevers stopped, and the infection started feeling better I was still nauseous, and I had this terrible headache. For three days straight I felt like my head was going to explode, it's the worst headache I have ever had. I couldn't even move my head. Not even prescription pain killers would budge it. Today I did drink a glass of watered down iced tea, and the headache subsided. It's still there a little, but it's barely noticible now. Last night I started in with muscle aches, and my legs were in terrible pain last night. I looked it up and they said this is all normal for caffeine withdrawls, and the more you used... the worse they are. So I guess I really earned this one. I am determined to give it up for good now... anything that can make me feel this lousy coming OUT of my system shouldn't be IN my system in the first place. I refuse to go through this again. Has anyone else had this much trouble giving up caffeine? Any tips on dealing with the symptoms? Link to post Share on other sites
amaysngrace Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Oh so that's where you been...you been sleeping! I'm sorry I can't help you out. If I don't get at least two 16 ouncers in a day it brings me a headache, not the other way around. I've heard that caffeine causes migraines though. Even in chocolate. Link to post Share on other sites
lovelorcet Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 I have had times where I drink a lot of coffee and then when I stop I get the head pains... At least for me... It takes about a week for the headache to go away and that is with 0 caf. If you drink some it will only prolong it. Stay off the stuff for at least 1-2 months and I find that kind of resets my system. I have limited myself to 1-2 cups a day now. One in the morning and about once a week one in the afternoon. I find for me, that this is an ok level, my morning coffee gets me going but if I miss it then I still feel fine. BTW... drinking soda is really bad for you, americans totally underestimate how awful these drinks are. Hope this helps. Link to post Share on other sites
lonelybird Posted August 9, 2007 Share Posted August 9, 2007 One day my coffee gone out, so I got severe headache and wanted to throw up, then decided not to let coffee control my life like this, I quited it. I replaced the thick tea with coffee, headache continued 3 days, then I reduced the tea as well. Now I am completely free. Link to post Share on other sites
Author boshemia Posted November 7, 2007 Author Share Posted November 7, 2007 I almost forgot about this post. Now several months post addiction I can honestly say it was worth it. At first I was sleepy (smiles) and had a huge mid-day lag but now I don't feel anything like that. What I did notice the biggest difference in was sleeping. Not only can I fall asleep fater, and actually stay asleep but I'm not up several times a night going to the bathroom. In fact I don't spend all day going to the bathroom anymore either. I always though my constant need to pee was from having kids! lol... Anyhow... I just thought I'd update you and let you know, the getting it out of your system is hell but it is totally worth it. I can't even think about touching the stuff now without remembering that awful headache! Link to post Share on other sites
jargon28 Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 How long did it take you to feel normal again? Link to post Share on other sites
PWSX3 Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 CONGRATS boshemia!!! I haven't had pop for over a year & a half now (never did drink coffee) & it really does make a difference in how you feel I think. It took a while to just go to drinking water, but now I drink water all day, I don't drink much with my meals so you don't have that urge to have a pop with food & the longer you go the easier it is.... I've tried drinking some of the tea stuff but the only one I like is Lipton Green tea w/citrus because all the rest taste like you just got done raking your leaves out of your yard, but it is full of corn syrup so I don't think that is good either. Anyway good luck with staying away from the caffeine. Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Caffeine and cocaine are quite similar in their chemical structure, hence the similar effects, addictive tendencies, and difficulty "giving up". Good for you for stopping! I am not much of a caffeine fan these days, more than one cup a day stops me sleeping properly. Link to post Share on other sites
Author boshemia Posted December 19, 2007 Author Share Posted December 19, 2007 Sorry it took so long to answer... It took maybe two weeks for the headaches to stop. Within a month I felt pretty stablized and not so much like something was missing. The longest effect is going to the store and finding myself reaching for a Code Red, and then just standing there trying to decide what else I wanted.... Sometimes I still just stand there looking blankly at the soda case. I switched to root beer when I really want a soda, but water tastes pretty good too. Link to post Share on other sites
jargon28 Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Thanks.... Link to post Share on other sites
Saxis Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 I'm surprised I never went through something like that when I was in high school/college. I worked at a coffee shop for about 8 years. I used to drink anywhere from 6-12 shots of espresso per day. I would get slight headaches on my days off when I wouldn't drink as much, but usually fixable with an aspirin. I only drink a couple cups of drip coffee with an occasional latte in the mornings now. I never really thought of it as an addiction, but I really don't know why I thought I needed that much in a day! Link to post Share on other sites
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