Caffeine-free...

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 3:39pm

Ugh... today is the second day of trying to break my caffeine... erm... addiction. I've been drinking coffee since I was 2 or 3 or 4 (don't know exactly when, but I was young), and I'm having some adverse effects to it. Nothing serious, but I believe/hope that things will improve once I'm off it. But oh my... I WANT my triple latte so bad right now.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 3:39pm

Be strong DD, Be strong!

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 3:41pm

I'm trying... I was about to go and get myself a latte just now, figured I'd post here instead.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 3:42pm

I am about to go work out, but am being remiss and posting here instead.

I think your distraction is bit better intended.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 3:44pm

hm... working out sounds good, except that I pass like 3 starbucks on the way there. *sigh*

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 4:33pm

DD- why don't you go to Starbucks and get a caffeine free drink?

You will at least be able to treat yourself...and keep up with your caffeine-free 'diet'

[liotte]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 4:41pm

Good luck DD!

I am caffeiene free and proof that you can survive and still have lots of energy without it!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 5:07pm

Caffeine isn't bad for you, you don't need to be totally free from it.

Totally caffeine free? How? You eat no chocolate or any foods with caffeine? Also, a handful of major over the counter meds have caffeine, namely some pain killers.

I don't care if I have a cup of coffee a day...it's fine.

I'm trying to quit smoking, and it's proving excrutiating.

I quit for 4 months last summer, then picked up again. I just joined a gym and I'm trying to substitute that with smoking, but it's so hard, so I feel your pain. I end up having atleast one cigarette a day because my headaches get so bad that I can't tolerate them. BLAH.

[mominator]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 5:40pm

DD, Best of luck!!! Remember that even some so called "caffeine free" may still have some caffeine still. We had to switch to a half-caf coffee because of the meds Dave is on. When we found Starbuck's Verona blend in Decaf we were thrilled! But found out it had more of a kick than the half-caf from Trader Joe's!

[starletta8]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 6:05pm

Just beware of the massive caffeine withdrawl headaches!

I went through major caffiene detox a few years ago after my freshman year of college. I was used to drinking 8 cups of coffee a day- totally unhealthy.

I've since moderated, and caffeine is actually a "good" drug for someone with chronic fatigue. Viva la coffee.

[AbbaRabbit]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 6:07pm

good luck :)
i haven't had one bit of caffeen in about 2 years.

[LucilleAndLeoFrank]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 6:17pm

I'm with you, Munkustrap. I stopped smoking last month and it's very hard. Every time I'm around someone having a cigarette I want one desperately. Right now, I smoke about two cigarettes a week, after nearly 5 years of smoking nearly a pack a day. As far as caffeine goes, I've never been much of a coffee drinker, but I have 2-3 cups of tea a day. I can't imagine giving that up.

[liotte]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 7:22pm

Munk, I meant that I don't drink coffee, soda, teas, or take any kinds of caffeine pills. I definitely eat chocolate!

[peggyandvelma]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 8:05pm

It's funny that I'm reading this thread whilst drinking a lovely cup of coffee. I seriously need to stop. I'm thinking of switching to green tea or something else. Any suggestions for a substitute (other than water..haha)?
But to those of you, like Munk, who are trying to quit smoking, good for you! Hang in there :)

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 9:41pm

Munk... there are added reasons why I need to stop drinking caffeine, not just because 'it's bad for me.' Well, actually, it is bad for me and that's why I'm taking this step. I was also going to try to quit smoking, but I'm going to take one addiction at a time.

And yes, I will avoid, as much as possible, taking anything with caffeine in it. But if I can at least stop the six shots I have a day, I will be happy.

I did try to caffeine free trick... not so much. I was told it takes only a few days, so I'm hopeful.

[Phantom23]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 10:45pm

I am fairly caffeine-free, myself. I drink no caffeinated sodas, teas, or coffees, and I limit my chocolate to chocolate products (like oreos or chocolate milk) because there is far less caffeine. I do take meds that have caffeine, though.

I have a friend that is completely caffeine-free, though, and I respect her very much for it. No chocolate at all, no meds with caffeine unless it's reallllly necessary, no caffeinated drinks... She and I both feel tons healthier for having kicked caffeine. Eight glasses of cold water a day, and we feel way more energized.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 10:46pm

That's what I'm told, phantom, that I'll feel better. But OMG it's difficult getting there.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 10:53pm

More power to you, I have tried to stop, but I can't.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 10:57pm

When I started drinking green tea, I went through about a six month period where I didn't drink coffee at all. I'm a barista. I have constant and free access to an espresso machine, but I had no desire. This is coming off of about 14 shots a day. Even though I eventually started drinking coffee again, it's nowhere near the volume of before.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 11:07pm

Wow... I don't know if I could do it working in a coffee shop.

I wish I liked tea. I've tried all kinds, and just can't stand it.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 11:11pm

I started drinking it on a friend's recommendation. It took about three days to get used to the flavor, but then I started craving it. After a couple of weeks, I just noticed that I felt "better". I hadn't been feeling bad before, but I felt great.

I don't drink it hot. I brew it by the gallon and keep it in the fridge. I've found I don't like flavors or sweeteners with it, either.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 11:17pm

When I was diagnosed with migraines my doctor told me that I needed to lighten my caffeine intake. I decided to quit cold turkey. Three days later I got the worst migraine I had ever had in my life. The medicine would barely touch it. My mom called the doc and his first question was if I had dropped ALL caffeine. He explained to my mom that it was basically a withdrawl headache. He said I should have weaned myself off. He should have told me.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/29/06 at 11:27pm

Hm... I might heed your dr.'s advice. Maybe switch to one single or double shot a day for a week or so.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 1:17am

Try to get some Welbutrin for the smoking!

I was told that Welbutrin decreases the need to an oral fixation, or the sensation of the smoke going through my lungs.

For me, it's not the nicotine that I crave - it's the feeling of something pushing down my lungs that I thrive for, as silly as it sounds. I used to smoke a few a day (when I lived upstate), but now that I live in the city, I'm lucky if I smoke a pack a day.

My friend gave me some Welbutrin, and I may start taking it to decrease the craving. I know it's possible to quit - I quit very easily and successfully last summer.

I found that when I couldn't sleep at night because my chest was so heavy, and when I'd wake up with sore lungs that it was time to give it up. I didn't even have to think about it - I just stopped - easy, obvious choice.

As said by the brilliant Ellen Burstyn...."You know when you cough through the night and you can't sleep that it's time to give up smoking."

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 4:12am

Thanks munk. My dr. recommended Wellbutrin as well. I am reluctant to continue taking drugs... actually the quitting caffeine has to do with my intent of getting off another drug. I quit once for 11 years, so I know I can do it. It's a matter of really wanting to. (insert evil grin here.) Once I'm done with the caffeine, I will tackle nicotine.

My biggest problem with smoking is that I actually enjoy smoking. And I don't smoke that much... about 1/2 pack a day, on average.