My love affair with an old friend is coming to a close...

[Joe the Destroyer]

DISCLAIMER: This is not a sob story.  I'm not writing this for sympathy; just for background and dramatic effect.  I mean, it's not like I'm quitting cocaine or anything. 

I've had a long going love affair with caffeine.  Started when my brother put Coke in my bottle at age 3 and told me it was called "p**s."  Later that day, I had a conversation with my dad:

Dad: What you drinking there?
Me: p**s!

It got my brother in trouble, but it also got me hooked on a sweet stimulant that I never was able to, or even wanted to, kick.

I first learned I was caffeine addicted when I had my first surgery to take out my cyst in 1997.  I thought that my headaches and fatigue were coming from the failed spinal block injection.  I went to the hospital, the hooked me up on an IV, and gave me two choices:

1) Either they've botched the spinal block from the surgery, and will have to drawn blood and painfully inject it onto my spine for it to coagulate,
or
2) I'm having caffeine withdrawals, and they're going to have my father run down stairs and pick me up a double shot latte. 

It wasn't a hard decision.

After drinking the latte, I felt better.  Any time I had withdrawals I fought them off with a Mountain Dew or a Pepsi or anything else that can be called a caffeine fist-f**k.  Where some people might drink maybe a can of soda a day, I drink somewhere from 4-6 cans a day, not to mention bottles that I purchase at work.  Saving money would be one perk of this venture.

Two years ago, I began to have severe lightheadedness and chest pains, both on separate occasions.  Nothing severe, but I wanted to make sure that they weren't anything like cancer or one of the many heart disorders.  I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic attacks.  Doctor said it was from drinking so much caffeine. 

I brought it on myself.  I told myself to stop drinking it, but how it feels like I'm developing ADHD-like symptoms.  I lack focus, I slur my speech now more than ever, I feel lethargic, my brain feels like it's full of constant static, I feel like I get agitated more easily, and I went from being a tiger in the bed to a three-toed sloth. 

After doing some research and being tired of the above symptoms, I've decided to end my affair with caffeine.  I realize that there's a chance that some of the above may not be related to caffeine, but I still feel like it's the right thing to do.

I'm not going cold turkey.  I've felt the effects of that before.  I think I'm going to go for a nice weaning method.  I did almost quit that way once, and I felt great afterward. 

I guess there's nothing else to say except the cliche wish me luck.

[Mr. DS]

Wow damn man, I've never heard of someone being hooked that badly to caffeine.  You have my sympathy and support.  Its funny because I usually have a cup of coffee once a day and hardly ever feel effects.  Hell, I could probably sleep after drinking one.  Soda I used to love but mainly for the taste.  I still get the occasional 12 pk.  I think my father in law has an addiction like yours.  He literally downs a half liter of Mountain Dew every day. 

As for advice I wish I could offer more.  Perhaps you could switch to a light roast to help you on your way. Either way, happy recovery.

[Leah]

Damn, a caffeine addict? and i thought i was bad cuz i have a car addiction

[Leah]

Karma for luck 

[Criswell]

Wow thats really bad. I hope you can make it threw. 

[retrorussell]

Don't quit caffeine completely.. just learn to pace yourself.
Get two 2-liters for a week.  (much cheaper than 12-packs too!)  I have a glass before work and a glass at night.  I'll drink ice water if I'm still thirsty.  This method works great for me.

[Fausto]

A karma for luck and support.

[SPazzo]

Good luck.  I hope you can kick it!  And have a bit of karma.

[Trevor]

Dad: What you drinking there?
Me: p**s!

Two years ago, I began to have severe lightheadedness and chest pains, both on separate occasions.  Nothing severe, but I wanted to make sure that they weren't anything like cancer or one of the many heart disorders.  I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic attacks.  Doctor said it was from drinking so much caffeine. 
After doing some research and being tired of the above symptoms, I've decided to end my affair with caffeine.  I realize that there's a chance that some of the above may not be related to caffeine, but I still feel like it's the right thing to do.

I guess there's nothing else to say except the cliche wish me luck.

Joe, I was diagnosed with a stress related illness last year and the docs have me on all sorts of pills and stuff that I have to take but hate to. I also drink a lot of coffee and cola drinks, so I'm going to try and wean myself off of it: maybe I won't need the tablets.

All the best and karma for you. 

[Psycho Circus]

I used to drink about 10 cups a day of the stuff, but now I've knocked it down to one a week. Good luck with it russell.

[Joe the Destroyer]

Thanks everyone!  I've reduced my intake quite a bit, and I'm already feeling some slight effect.  I get tired much more quickly.  I think if I remain mobile, I can keep my mind off it.

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

NOOOOOO! I live n fear of losing my cafeine.  good luck though

[the ghoul]

Perhaps you could switch to a light roast to help you on your way. Either way, happy recovery.

It's better to go with a half-caff.  Light roast coffees actually have more caffeine than dark roast ones.

[Rev. Powell]

Joe, you've just described my worst nightmare.  Good luck to you.  Glad to hear the early stages are going well. 

[Trevor]

I've managed to cut myself down to one cup of coffee a day so far but the cola drinks are another story. No caffeine before bed is another rule. 

Thanks JoeTD!