Giving up caffeine

[pilchardthecat]

I haven't had any caffeine for 24 hours, having drunk a fair amount of tea/coffee every day for at least 20 years.

Today (i think) i have had some really severe withdrawl symptoms, including irritability, anxiety, lack of concentration, general clammy and stinkyness (more than usual). I'm now suffering from headaches, i've been starving hungry all day and have eaten about 50% more than usual. It's most unexpected.

I'm so short of concentration i'm not even sure what the point of this post is. fk it i'll click submit and see what happens

[Marf]

Wiki said:

Withdrawal symptoms — possibly including headache, irritability, an inability to concentrate, drowsiness, insomnia and pain in the stomach, upper body, and joints[84] — may appear within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuation of caffeine intake, peak at roughly 48 hours, and usually last from one to five days, representing the time required for the number of adenosine receptors in the brain to revert to "normal" levels, uninfluenced by caffeine consumption. Analgesics, such as aspirin, can relieve the pain symptoms, as can a small dose of caffeine.[85] Most effective is a combination of both an analgesic and a small amount of caffeine.

Sounds about right. You're jonesing a goodun

Edited by Marf on Wednesday 21st April 21:57

[Poledriver]

Why?

[pilchardthecat]

Marf said:

Wiki said:

Withdrawal symptoms — possibly including headache, irritability, an inability to concentrate, drowsiness, insomnia and pain in the stomach, upper body, and joints[84] — may appear within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuation of caffeine intake, peak at roughly 48 hours, and usually last from one to five days, representing the time required for the number of adenosine receptors in the brain to revert to "normal" levels, uninfluenced by caffeine consumption. Analgesics, such as aspirin, can relieve the pain symptoms, as can a small dose of caffeine.[85] Most effective is a combination of both an analgesic and a small amount of caffeine.

Sounds about right. Your jonesing a goodun

Oh god, it's going to get worse.

I'm thinking i might be taking a "small amount of caffeine" in the AM

[pilchardthecat]

Poledriver said:

Why?

Attempting to establish whether or not it helps with a medical complaint, in order to assist with a diagnosis

[Herbie58]

I did the same, for IBS. The first two days aren't great but once you are past those, it's fine.

I've been drinking de-caff for about 8 weeks and I don't miss normal coffee at all.

[Marf]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Weird.
I drink half a jug of *strong* coffee in my office week days.
Very rarely touch a drop of Caffeine on a weekend - makes no difference to me.

Try avoiding it on the Monday and Tuesday following a weekend.

[pilchardthecat]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Weird.
I drink half a jug of *strong* coffee in my office week days.
Very rarely touch a drop of Caffeine on a weekend - makes no difference to me.

It might have something to do with the fact that you regularly go without. I drink at least as much coffee as you, and have done every day without fail for more than 20 years.

[E21_Ross]

why not just try reducing your normal dose before going cold turkey, so to speak? you're not going to die from it, but it might just help you a little bit.