Stress Center Peer Support

I am still waiting for my program to arrive. When I listened to one of the introductory recordings, it said that we need to stop using caffeine. I'm wondering if you all really stopped drinking coffee. I enjoy one cup per day in the morning, and I'm wondering how necessary it will be to cease. Gee, I'm feeling deprived already, and I haven't even received the package yet.

Happy New Year to you all...
Linda

You took the words right out of my mouth, Linda! I actually have started my program (just this week) and trying hard to lessen the intake of caffine. The way I am understanding the reason is because of the effects it has on anexity and stress. Me being pretty stressed I decided to try and cut WAY back if not stop caffine completely. I drink several cups of coffee in the morning and then in the evening either drink ice tea (which has caffine) or a couple of cups of coffee so I have a long way to go to kick this habit. If you only drink 1 cup of coffee a day and that is the extent of your caffine, I would probably make giving that 1 cup up a very low proity. Again, I am new to the program as well, so someone with longer in the program may have better advice. I think the program is worth a try so please don't let this issue discourage you too much

You ABSOLUTELY need to stop drinking Caffeine. I haven't received my packet yet but I had already stopped drinking caffeine 2 years ago. Occassionally I will have a diet coke but that usually sets off my anxiety. This is coming from someone who used to drink countless cups of coffee and no less than four Red Bull's a day. I hardly ever drink caffeine and I don't eat chocolate either. Its not that bad really. Caffeine is so bad for you anyway. If I have a taste for coffee, I grab a cup of decaf (that is rare though).

Originally posted by Linda1056:
I'm wondering if you all really stopped drinking coffee.

Yep. I stopped the day my anxiety came back. If I'm REALLY craving coffee, I'll have decaf.

Originally posted by Linda1056:
I'm wondering how necessary it will be to cease.

Well, caffeine is a stimulant and as far as I can see, we don't need any extra stimulation. It could be contributing to your anxiety but the choice is ultimately yours.

Thank you all for your replies to my inquiry about caffeine. I needed to hear the validation that it makes a difference for you. I still haven't received my program, but my plan now is to use 1/2 decaf for a few days, and gradually go down from there. Thanks so much for the input, and Happy New Year to you all.

Linda

I was a coffeholic. I probably drank on average 3/4 of a pot of coffee a day doing office work. I think it is part of the reason I got sick. I can remember having lunch with co-workers and drinking it then and getting sick to my stomach. I took in way too much caffeine. Took me over a year to get off of the real stuff. Been off of it for over 20 years. I'd like to be able to drink the real thing once in a while, but I don't need to so I don't. My system is just too sensitive to stand much of it. I'd rather not have the complications. Same thing with alcohol also.

Think about it this way. You can still have decaff. I'd suggest cutting back to half cup real and half cup decaf. See how that goes. Maybe you can stay there. If not, cut to a quarter real and if you need to then go totally off of the real thing. Half a cup of the real stuff is not a lot for one day. But some of us are very sensitive to it. I'm better off without any of the real thing.

Thank you "don57", I appreciate your input. I too used to drink nearly one pot a day at work, quit doing that years ago. For some reason I really look forward to that one cup in the morning. I've tried 1/2 decaf for 2 days now and doing okay so far. I did have a minor headache yesterday, but it passed.

Thanks for your input - I see you've been registered since 2002, you must be a veteran in this program.

Happy New Year to you!
Linda

Just got my program today, Cut out caffeine now for 2 weeks and I can tell a huge differance, I was a diet coke junkie, One big glass on the way to work, one with lunch etc.... it adds up, If I need a pop I'll get a decaff, It's truely very addicting with real with draws.
I figure it's a small sacrifice to start feeling better!

frankieg

Anxiety is living in the future, Depression is living in the past.

What an awesome quote. So obvious yet so true...