Quitting Coffee

[272BHP]

I quit coffee about 10 days ago as I suspected it was causing some gastric issues and I was getting a bit wired. I have noticed a few withdrawal symptoms:

1. A bit constipated, I think that maybe my system got used to the gastric emptying effect of the coffee.
2. Stomach a bit distended, probably due to the above.
3. Little urge to exercise and low energy when I do.
4. Ready to sleep at 10pm rather than my usual 11pm or so.

I am drinking tea instead of the coffee which still has some caffeine but my stomach seems to like it and it does not get me wired.
Do these side effects go away and how long does it take for them to go away?
What other surprises can I expect in the next few weeks?

[Barchettaman]

No headache?

Anyway, keep your fluids up to avoid the constipation.

Caffeine withdrawal symptoms are often unique to the individual so keep at it, and report back!

[mikewilliams79]

Eat lots of weatabix

[p4cks]

Yep, just keep drinking water. More water than you think you need and you'll be fine.

[VR99]

I gave up coffee many years back albeit temporarily...I don't recall experiencing all of the issues you had but deffo the low energy and 'clucking' for my fix! After about a week I was fine and my energy levels and sleep improved too. The ban never last long though......

[shirt]

i went to decaf a few months back due to gastric issues as i didn't want to give it up completely. worked a treat. my mrs bought me a hand nespresso press and capsules for work, i found that this plus not being able to get decaf at my usual lunch spot also reduced my overall consumption whilst still being able to enjoy a decent brew.

[Skyedriver]

Barchettaman said:

No headache?

Anyway, keep your fluids up to avoid the constipation.

Caffeine withdrawal symptoms are often unique to the individual so keep at it, and report back!

Must be over 30 year ago I tried giving up coffee, - horrendous headaches.
Went back on the coffee, enjoy in preference to tea
Forward to about 11 year ago, we were living at the inlaws for a few weeks. Couldn't understand the headaches until I discovered they were using decaf.
Usually go for Nescafe Gold Blend or that one in the Glass stoppered jar, but recently found Nescafe Espresso Instant which I like.
Local cafe does Turmeric coffee - really lovely.

[loskie]

always have a pint glass of water next to you and never let it be empty, you'll be surprised how much you drink, I also found it helped with stopping alcohol and therefore the crisps that came with that too although I have slipped of late.

[dave_s13]

fks sake....is is something else I need to add to the list of things I need to commit a month every year to stopping?

What the fek is wrong with drinking coffee?

[shirt]

dave_s13 said:

fks sake....is is something else I need to add to the list of things I need to commit a month every year to stopping?

What the fek is wrong with drinking coffee?

Nothing. I love coffee and it never used to affect me. Nowadays I am on regular medication and it made me feel wired and anxious to the point of vomiting which I would do frequently at work and home. Having narrowed it down to the coffee, and drinking decaf for a month which confirmed it, it was a choice that needed making. As said I went decaf rather than give it up completely, local company that does nespresso type pods. It’s not something I could give up the taste of, just the meds are here to stay unfortunately.

[272BHP]

I am struggling to work out why quitting coffee dehydrates the body. It is known to be very dehydrating so surely stopping should help?

Or is there a period were the body is adjusting - I am 12 days in now, when should things start to settle?

[Pit Pony]

dave_s13 said:

fks sake....is is something else I need to add to the list of things I need to commit a month every year to stopping?

What the fek is wrong with drinking coffee?

Nothing. In moderation.

I gave up coffee for 6 weeks about 4 years ago, when I started complaining to my wife that the coffee served in a restaurant was like piss.
It turned out I was drinking treacle black coffee, 15 times a day.
Withdrawal was painful. Headaches, lack of drive, feeling of depression. Really tired.
Since then, I drink decafe, mainly ground from.a perculator. The occassional real coffee, but 95% decafe. The odd cup of tea, decafe in our house, because normal tea gives wife a head ache.

I think it's just stabilised my moods, and I no longer have the highs or lows.

I definately don't get so angry.

[mikewilliams79]

So coffee causes anger now

[cqueen]

272BHP said:

I am struggling to work out why quitting coffee dehydrates the body. It is known to be very dehydrating so surely stopping should help?

Or is there a period were the body is adjusting - I am 12 days in now, when should things start to settle?

My guess would be your body has already adjusted itself to the diaretic effect of coffee, so when you remove it, your body needs to readjust again. Drink plenty of water with electrolytes.

[Dr Jekyll]

cqueen said:

272BHP said:

I am struggling to work out why quitting coffee dehydrates the body. It is known to be very dehydrating so surely stopping should help?

Or is there a period were the body is adjusting - I am 12 days in now, when should things start to settle?

My guess would be your body has already adjusted itself to the diaretic effect of coffee, so when you remove it, your body needs to readjust again. Drink plenty of water with electrolytes.

Caffeine is dehydrating but coffee isn't because the mug of water you have with the caffeine makes up for it. Roughly a cup of coffee is equivalent to 2/3 or 3/4 a cup of water in terms of hydration.

[Louis Balfour]

272BHP said:

I quit coffee about 10 days ago as I suspected it was causing some gastric issues and I was getting a bit wired. I have noticed a few withdrawal symptoms:

1. A bit constipated, I think that maybe my system got used to the gastric emptying effect of the coffee.
2. Stomach a bit distended, probably due to the above.
3. Little urge to exercise and low energy when I do.
4. Ready to sleep at 10pm rather than my usual 11pm or so.

I am drinking tea instead of the coffee which still has some caffeine but my stomach seems to like it and it does not get me wired.
Do these side effects go away and how long does it take for them to go away?
What other surprises can I expect in the next few weeks?

Giving up coffee entirely is really hard, isn't it!

I've done it a few times. The last time, I was still getting daily headaches after 6 weeks.

I have found that reducing to one cup per day (in the morning) mostly avoids the problem of withdrawal and lessens the problems associated with coffee consumption.

You mention gastric issues - I find that when I am not drinking coffee I am leaner. I think it is irritation of the colon, leading to water retention.

Good luck!

[Muzzer79]

dave_s13 said:

fks sake....is is something else I need to add to the list of things I need to commit a month every year to stopping?

What the fek is wrong with drinking coffee?

Nothing. I can't see anyone with a gun to your head telling you to stop drinking coffee.

But some people are really caffeine sensitive. I'm one of them.

Symptoms were pissing like a racehorse all the time, gastric issues, tension issues.

I went decaff around 4 years ago - best thing I ever did.

[LordGrover]

Apologies for bumping old thread.

How did it go OP, still off the coffee?

I'm starting to cut back with the aim of quitting.
I have only two (maybe three at weekend) cups of 'real' coffee and day, plus a few cups of instant in the office. Currently 15g/250 in clever dripper.
I'll be 'cutting' my fix with decaf beans. Day one; 14g +1g decaf, day two 13 +2g decaf, 12+3, 11+4, etc... may make it two or three days between cuts. Over the course of a month I should be down to zero caffeine and ready to quit completely.

My WiIfa Uniform grinder and Moccamaster brewer will be going cheap, in time for Christmas!

[Louis Balfour]

LordGrover said:

Apologies for bumping old thread.

How did it go OP, still off the coffee?

I'm starting to cut back with the aim of quitting.
I have only two (maybe three at weekend) cups of 'real' coffee and day, plus a few cups of instant in the office. Currently 15g/250 in clever dripper.
I'll be 'cutting' my fix with decaf beans. Day one; 14g +1g decaf, day two 13 +2g decaf, 12+3, 11+4, etc... may make it two or three days between cuts. Over the course of a month I should be down to zero caffeine and ready to quit completely.

My WiIfa Uniform grinder and Moccamaster brewer will be going cheap, in time for Christmas!

Morning Grover. Nice to see you again, hope you're well.

Casual observation: You always seem to be giving up something, usually not for the first time. Have you considered just embracing addiction?

[LordGrover]

True dat.

Fags and beer are a thing of the past, and I feel so much better for it. Well worth the sort-term 'pain'.

Almost forgot, gave up petrol too! I'm now an electric car wker!