Hi. My name is Janet, and I'm a caffeine addict.
Seriously, I am, and I've decided I don't like the endless cycle of needing it, so I'm going off of it, cold turkey. Today is Day 2. Yesterday was HORRIBLE with a migraine so bad..well, I've never had one so bad. Today is OK, so far. But I'm wondering, how many days does it usually take before the headaches go away? When do I start feeling like it's actually worth all this? TIA!

By Palmbchprincess on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 01:00 pm:

I REALLY don't suggest going off it cold turkey. I weaned down a few times, but I am a soda addict, so I get right back up to the same addicted level! (Honestly, I could drink caf-free soda, so I need to start weaning again!) As far as the headaches, they aren't as bad if you step down slowly, but basing it just on other withdrawl symptoms, I would say day 3 is the hump. Get past day 3, and GENERALLY you're good to go! Good luck Janet!!

By Vicki on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 01:12 pm:

Oh boy.. I tried that once and the headache was so terrible that I couldn't take it. I made a pot of coffee and sucked it down and the headache was gone. Not anxious to ever try that again. GOod luck to you.

By Boxzgrl on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 01:27 pm:

Good Luck...

My name is Melissa and *I* am a caffeine addict.

Coffee and Rockstar energy drinks keeps me going. I tried to wean and was getting headaches and now my wisdom teeth are coming in so the headaches were even worse so I continue with caffeine and take a lot of Tylenol! What will I ever do when I get pregnant again???

By Sunny on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 01:27 pm:

I gave up caffeine 10 years ago. It took me a few weeks before the headaches and irritability passed. How long your symptoms last depends on how dependent you are on it. It is a drug and stays in your fatty tissue long after you stop ingesting it, so if you are heavily addicted, it could take a while!
I used to drink Coke everyday and came to depend on it. I still have caffeine occasionally, but now when I drink a caffeinated beverage, I feel its effects instantly and it stays with me for a a couple of days! Good luck!

By Debbie on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 02:02 pm:

I gave up caffeine several years ago. I would definitely not do cold turkey. It is much easier if you gradually cut down. I gradually cut it out of my diet and the headaches weren't too bad.

By Tink on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 03:03 pm:

I'm with Melissa. I can't imagine giving up my energy drinks. I'm definitely addicted to them. When I have gone without, I've had terrible headaches and temper issues. My mom had to go off caffeine and she said the worst of it was over in 5 days but that it took weeks to really feel herself again.

By Cat on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 04:42 pm:

Nope. Never have. Don't see it happening any time soon.

By Janet on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 06:19 pm:

Well, I've already committed to the cold turkey, so there's no going back. And yes, it was awful. But today wasn't so bad. I just wondered how many days to expect to feel "not quite right."

By Kaye on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 07:26 pm:

Janet I have gone off cold turkey and really it takes about a week (5 days or so). What I found was the secret is to stay very hydrated, maybe even some gatorade and just take some advil as a preventative..LOL

By Boxzgrl on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 08:25 pm:

Hey Tink it seems like we have a lot in common, as long as there are no politics involved!!!

By Tink on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 08:41 pm:

I've noticed that, too! Really, if we have to have a difference of opinions, that is an easy subject to avoid!

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 08:42 pm:

We drink less caffeine in our house than we used to. We only buy caffeine-free soda for at home, but when we go out, not every place has caffeine-free diet soda, so I get it sometimes and sometimes I don't. I usually don't have headaches, but I can tell when I have had too much and then don't get it again and I will get a minor headache.

By Mrsheidi on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 10:43 pm:

I was off of caffeine for a week but just had a diet dr pepper yesterday. i have one a week now that i'm on atkins. headaches went away on the 4th day. love that advil!

By Kristie on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 12:45 am:

For the saftey of my loved ones, innocent people in Walmart, and annoying drivers, I will never quit coffee. If I'm out my DH will call people and knock on neighbors doors to find some for me. I LOVE COFFEE, and will probley never stop unless it is seriously medically nessisary. But Good luck Janet, you are a very strong woman to do be able to do this.

By Missmudd on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 12:50 am:

Make sure to take your vitamins too with plenty of water, that seems to help. GL

By Feona on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 07:07 am:

It is pretty hard to stop drinking coffee, but I hope you do it. Then you can tell the rest of us addicts how to do it.

By Colette on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 07:24 am:

LOL Kristie.

Good luck Janet, I'd try cutting back if cold turkey is painful. Make you coffee a little weaker or cut out a cup a day. I find that if I drink TONS of water (I try for 100 oz per day) I don't need caffeine.

By Children03 on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 09:07 am:

I use to drink about 4 -5 sodas a day. Last year I started the weight watchers diet and they were 3 points a peice and so I stopped drinking them. I would only drink one as a treat every now and then. I am glad that I did it because I still only drink one as a treat. I did start having horrible headaches, but they were not all related to that. I am happy about the choice that I made just because there is so much sugar and caffenine in a soda and it isn't all that good for me anyway. Your body will begin to adjust to it after a few weeks if you stick to it.

By Cocoabutter on Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 12:47 am:

DEFINITELY do not quit cold turkey.

I decided a couple of weeks ago that since I had a bad cold, the last thing I needed was Coca Cola, my absolute favorite. So I drank a lot of water and hot cocoa.

I got a headache, but figured it was my sinuses.

THREE DAYS LATER I had taken FOUR TIMES the recommended dosage on the bottle of ibuprofen, and I STILL had this headache. I had a pop with lunch, and it went away almost immediately.

Then I felt stupid for wasting three days feeling absolutely miserable!

By Janet on Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 09:29 am:

Too late, LOL! I am on Day Four and feel absolutely wonderful! Not going back, not nohow, not noway!!!