[BioAdoptMom3]

If you do, does it create problems with your bipolar? Our 15 y/o daughter either drinks a cup of coffee or takes one of my OTC caffeine pills each morning because she says it helps her feel better and do better in school. Her BP is pretty well controlled with Lithium and Abilify and so far, no problems. The therapist at the residential treatment center where she was diagnosed told us caffeine should be very limited. Is this amount considered small? Do you think it will be harmful for her to continue to do this?

Thanks!

Nancy

[cashart10]

Originally Posted by BioAdoptMom3

If you do, does it create problems with your bipolar? Our 15 y/o daughter either drinks a cup of coffee or takes one of my OTC caffeine pills each morning because she says it helps her feel better and do better in school. Her BP is pretty well controlled with Lithium and Abilify and so far, no problems. The therapist at the residential treatment center where she was diagnosed told us caffeine should be very limited. Is this amount considered small? Do you think it will be harmful for her to continue to do this?

Thanks!

Nancy

Hi Nancy. I was diagnosed at 15 and drank 1 to 2 cups of coffee before school for those reasons and because I really like(d) coffee. I never had any problems but that was just my experience. Just thought I would share.

[BlackSheep79]

I am extremely sensitive to caffeine and sugar. I stay away from both as it has caused hypo mania for me. I also have major anxiety so it also causes problems with that as well. Does she have anxiety problems?

[Tucson]

Are used to drink one or 2 cups of coffee each day for years at Denny's. I had no problems with drinking coffee.

[jesusplay]

caffeine lowers lithium levels

I've worked in a coffeehouse for nearly eleven years. I love the taste of espresso. I always drank it because while the caffeine never made me feel spun out, it took the slightest edge off my morning medication slump. Eleven months ago, I had a severe breakdown. Part of the breakdown (a BIG part) has been extreme anxiety, especially in the morning. For many months I drank only a little bit of espresso, and only decaf. My meds have me stable enough now to be able to drink a half-caf (half regular, half decaf) latte in the morning. So just a little bit of caffeine.

I'm really not sure what to make of caffeine and how it affects people. One thing I've noticed is that the effects of caffeine vary widely from person to person...it is what's known as a "ragged drug". Something else to keep in mind is that green tea and white tea (as well as black) have caffeine in them. I often have a customer order a green tea "because I don't want the caffeine". Wrong. And, of course most sodas have caffeine in them, as does all chocolate.

I fully believe that caffeine might help keep your daughter's focus sharper, considering the meds she takes. Also, something I read about caffeine not too long ago is that research is showing that caffeine might help prevent type 2 diabetes. That said, I'm not in favor of people under age 18 or so consuming too much caffeine...it is a drug and does affect the brain.

[Curiosity77]

I drink one to two cups of coffee a day, but never past about 3 pm. It hasn't caused a problem for me.

[BipolaRNurse]

I drink so many caffeinated beverages in a day it's a wonder I'm not manic all the time. But then I'm an old bird who's been doing it since forever, not a young teen-aged girl whose brain is still developing.

If the girl is going to have caffeine, it's better if she actually drinks coffee, as opposed to taking caffeine pills.....those are unnatural synthetic products and offer no health benefits like coffee does.

[Road_to_recovery]

I drink too much coffee for me and yes, it does affect me but I get headaches without it. I'm hooked and not able/willing to give it up

[rollacoasta]

I find a connection between caffeine/sugar and hypomania.... Then again this can't really be confirmed. I just seem to notice my body more active and thoughts racing after a day with 2 or 3 coffee's.

I'm sorry to hear you are unable to give it up, Road_to_recovery... I'm not sure what to think of that, I guess there are worse things you could be addicted to.

[newtothis31]

I'd stay away from caffeine pills. They could cause BP to increase and lead to problems down the road. It sounds like you've been keeping an eye on her- and haven't noticed any problems- which is awesome!

That being said-to me a cup a day is pretty small. Pregnant women are allowed to have a cup a day of caffeine. As long as she is compliant with her treatment overall, I wouldn't dwell on it.

[loophole]

I can drink as much as one pot to one cup a day

[Angry1541]

Coffee doesn't really do much for me...it might (if I do ALOT of it, like 4-5 cups) trigger a hypomanic state...or mimic a hypomanic state.

But was really sets me off is Mt Dew -- I can drink non-sugar energy drinks (two of them) and just get the caffeine jitters. But you add large amounts of sugar and watch out!!!

Everyone is slightly different though.

[Nightside of Eden]

I'm a huge caffeine drinker. 4-5 cups of strong coffee a day plus a couple cups of caffeinated soda. I wish it made me hypomanic, lol. All it really does is make my ADD meds more effective.

ETA: I should add I'm one of those people who's not very sensitive to substances. It takes a LOT of anything to effect me, so coffee is pretty benign and just makes me a little more focused.

[Silent Void]

Copious quantities, both tea and coffee. I don't care how it affects my chemistry. I need it. It's one of a few things that soothe me.

[widgets]

I am 24 and sensitive to caffeine. I have one cup of coffee every morning before work, but if I have any more than that i feel weird, hyped up and anxious and sick

[Victoria'smom]

I consume about a 24 oz a day of mountain dew.

[turtleman59]

I drink 3 cups of coffee per day.

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[~Christina]

I drink lots of tea and coffee ..it doesnt have an adverse effects on me.. If your Daughter is having some coffee and its not giving her problems then I see no problems with it. The pills ? Ahhh NO they contain god knows what chemicals .

[Standup2me]

Originally Posted by widgets

I am 24 and sensitive to caffeine. I have one cup of coffee every morning before work, but if I have any more than that i feel weird, hyped up and anxious and sick

I used to be a major addict - a pot a day.
I have been trying to cut a lot of cr*p out of my diet, so
I kicked coffee.
Best thing I ever did, I don't feel that coffee wired up feeling all day

[unplugmealready]

I'm currently indulging in a double espresso choc and spend most of my time drinking energy drinks and coffee. Mainly to stay awake in my night shifts. I honestly think its not good for me and is probably causing all kinds of issues for me, but when you work the night shift alone in a sparse empty office you can go a little loopy anyway I guess. But a child drinking it would probably have some unwanted side effects.

[littlemiss1970]

I think anything in moderation can be ok. I usually have two cups of coffee a day, then a mocca frap from Starbucks and one can of soda. I agree with the others...I wouldn't recommend the caffeine pills either. At least coffee is natural

[Confusedinomicon]

unplug, caffeine has a half life of 10 hours so you should drink it at the beginning of your shift. I work overnights by myself, too, and the only time I consume coffee is in the first 2-3 hours because it's kept me awake before. I also use medication to sleep, though, because I'm wide awake half of the time when I get off.

It's true, though, sometimes I bother people all night to talk to me on facebook until 1-2 in the morning to curve the loneliness of working alone.

I drink 1 1/2- 2 cups when I do drink coffee. I don't recommend it for teenagers though because its habit forming.

[venusss]

One or two cups a day are not a big deal. If they are not making her edgy, it's fine, i think.

[unplugmealready]

Originally Posted by Confusedinomicon

unplug, caffeine has a half life of 10 hours so you should drink it at the beginning of your shift. I work overnights by myself, too, and the only time I consume coffee is in the first 2-3 hours because it's kept me awake before. I also use medication to sleep, though, because I'm wide awake half of the time when I get off.

It's true, though, sometimes I bother people all night to talk to me on facebook until 1-2 in the morning to curve the loneliness of working alone.

I drink 1 1/2- 2 cups when I do drink coffee. I don't recommend it for teenagers though because its habit forming.

I know that feeling. It can send you stir crazy at night. Thats some good advice though, thanks. I actually had trouble sleeping this morning and that was probably down to too much caffeine. I will make sure I try to just have it at the start of my shift and see how I get on