caffeine withdrawal
#46258 - 02/23/04 06:56 PM
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Well, I'm on day three of trying Heather's diet to get rid of chronic lower-right abdominal pain associated with C.
As a serious coffee-addict, I knew this would be hard, and frankly, I'm surprised that I'm surviving as well as I am so far.
I've switched to tea, in order to cut down the dose of caffeine and eliminate the coffee trigger. Then I plan to ease off of the tea altogether.
The peppermint tea, by the way, really does help a lot!!
So I'm pre-treating with soluble fiber and peppermint, and lots of water (of course), then taking my minimal tea-caffeine doses.
But I'm still suffering the headache withdrawal symptoms.
Any advice about what else I could do? [color:black] [/color]
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Maybe you've cut back on caff. too rapidly. When I did it, I reduced my intake by 5-10mg each day and this helped with the withdrawal symptoms. It took me about 2 weeks. Although, since it's for your IBS, you might just want to suffer the headaches (I know they're horrible!)if you are feeling better other than that. How much coffee were you drinking?
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--Julie
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Hi.
I'm a new poster -- have been lurking a while.
I started the "diet" right after the new year and gave up all caffiene cold turkey. It was horrible and I don't know how my family put up with me. I drank lots of water -- LOTS of water. I had terrible headaches that totally wiped me out. What helped was trying to stay on top of the pain by taking ibuprofen before I got a headache and then I took more throughout the day. It didn't alleviate the pain, but it sure dulled it.
My husband rubbed my head and this helped immensely! Of course the headache came back as soon as he stopped, but it didn't seem to hurt as much after. If no one is available to rub your head -- just do a scalp massage yourself. It does make a difference. Cold compresses also helped, and just trying to keep busy as long as I could before I was a wimpering mass on the couch -- which usually happened about seven every evening.
If it helps, I only had really bad headaches for about five days -- then they stopped. I'm so glad I quit caffiene. I was a serious coffee and cola drinker for many years and now I feel cleaner and free from addiction. And my tummy is better most of the time too.
Now if I could only do something about that chocolate craving!
Kellie
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Been There!
#46273 - 02/23/04 07:58 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Hi Marty,
I know what you're going through. 2-1/2 months ago I kicked a 42-year addiction to caffeine. I had been having severe cramps every day that lasted all day long. I was doubled over in pain while sipping my beloved cuppa! DUH. When Heather discovered what I was doing, with one post she got me to kick my habit immediately. And you know what? I felt better right away! I haven't had cramps ever since. Well, except for a few bad times when I screwed up.
Don't give up. It's well worth it, believe me. Oh, I still miss my joe, and it's very difficult whenever I smell coffee brewing -- I go crazy -- but nothing is worth those cramps!
You're doing all the right stuff; for me I got my caffeine fix from green tea and Constant Comment. I'm off both now, and enjoy Heather's peppermint tea with her acacia mixed in it. I'll never go back to drinking coffee EVER.
I'd say a few weeks should do it and you'll be okay. A little Bayer aspirin after your morning toast should help. Trust me, Marty, it IS worth it!
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Just wanted you to know you are not alone.
I'm a BIG coffee drinker and today is my 3rd day without coffee. Yeah, I still have the headaches, and the first two days I had to take an afternoon nap. I do believe that it is getting easier with each passing day. I drink a lot of fennel and peppermint tea.
Best to you,
Janet
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Hi again, Marty,
How you doin' today? You know, I just had another thought for you. I have become addicted to Soy Dream MOCHA FUDGE non-dairy frozen dessert. I have to have it during the day, never at night, because it keeps me awake all night long. I just figured out why! Duh. IT CONTAINS COFFEE!!
Yep -- you might give it a try. You have to get it at the health food store. It really does taste 100% like coffee -- maybe that's why I love it so much, ya think?!? Anywho.... on the listing of ingredients, coffee is way down there, so I don't think it's enough to really cause any cramping. At least it doesn't bother me -- although I try to keep my portion controlled to one scoop only.
Give it a try -- and let us know how you're doin' -- okay?
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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If a person weins themself off caffeine for headaches and then once in a great while has one how does it work? How long does a person have to take caffeine daily to become addicted. I know in the old days I used to drink them occasionally and never had headache problems. Then with hormone problems and menopause had more headaches and started taking caffeine daily to help with that. Now I'm hooked. Want to get off but also want to know if it is safe to have one on occasion if out and about and it is the only available beverage.
Edited by crampgirl (02/24/04 12:12 PM)
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Well, crampgirl, I wish I had answers to your very valid questions; in fact, I'd be curious about the answers myself.
I really don't dare have even one cup of the stuff because I'd be hooked immediately. About 20 years ago, when I discovered I had fibroid tissue in my breasts, I cut out all caffeine; it lasted only a few weeks, and I very soon returned to my beloved cuppa. Now that I've kicked it once again, I'm not going back, not even for one cup. It's just not worth it to me because when I quit this last time my IBS got SOOOOO much better!
However, I kinda cheat a little with my fave non-dairy frozen dessert -- Soy Dream Mocha Fudge -- it's got coffee in it, but way down on the ingredient list, and it doesn't cramp me up like coffee does. AND, it tastes SOOOO much like coffee, I just love it. Very satisfying. Check it out next down you're at the health food store!
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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What kind of headaches do you have? No matter what though, caffeine shouldn't be your first line of defense against a headache. That said, I've been there and I totally understand why you're using it. If it gives you any hope, I don't drink caffeine as a rule, but the occaisional tea or coffee (with lots of soymilk and never on an empty stomach) doesn't seem to bother me or make me feel like I'll get hooked again.
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--Julie
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Mine are migrane or cluster migrane. Last for days to weeks at a time. One time months. Usually more on one side and sometimes make me nauseas or dizzy. Just plain miserable. Also related to my hysterectomy and trying to cut or elminate hormones. Migrane meds upset my stomach so opted for caffeine. Thought it was Godsend till I tried to quit. But going to try again. Speaking of hormones, all this IBS stuff started at age 40 right when I was entering peri-menopause so I really feel it is related to hormones. Also at that time I was put on BC pills to even out my fading hormones and IMMEDIATELY got worse. Couldn't even take a glass of water without gas and cramps. Lived like that for about a month and doctor finally took me off the low dose hormones (a patch) (even though it shouldn't, per him, have anything to do with it) and it got immediately better. Has anyone else noticed a connection with this and change of life?
Edited by crampgirl (02/24/04 07:56 PM)
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