[Movingon69]

I didn't drink coffee until about 2 years ago except as a tradition at my grandmother's house when we would sit on the porch before everyone got up.

Once I started I drank one cup with my husband in the morning. Now, when I'm feeling low I can drink 4-5 cups. One reason is it keeps me awake so I don't sleep all day since I'm trying to get my sleep pattern regulated and when I'm down I can sleep all day and stay up all night.

Is there any medical thoughts out there on if caffeine is good or bad for BP?

[Blueberrybook]

I don't think the medical field feels that much coffee is good for anyone for anything, unfortunately.

My current pdoc and the pdoc I saw for 10 tens (retiring) seem to think caffeine is not good for BP. But like you, sometimes I just need it to stay awake. Though I got the caffeine about halfway from coffee and halfway from diet cherry Coke.

I agree with cln's response above, but in my case I don't find caffeine consumption too disturbing to my bipolar disorder, depending on when and how much is consumed. I think there are factors to consider, such as the medications one is on. For example, Lithium's effectiveness can be affected with caffeine consumption, when the caffeine is consumed, and the amounts all at one time. I also think some people are just more sensitive to certain substances than others.

I drink about 2-3 servings of caffeinated beverages each day, usually in the form of a morning cup of coffee, a mid-day or evening single espresso, and maybe a mid-day or evening glass of homemade iced tea, which isn't that high in caffeine. Spreading out like that is OK for me. I'm not taking Lithium right now, and I'm not overly sensitive to caffeine unless I consume too much in one sitting.

I'd try seeing if you do better with less, but if you're on Lithium I'd not make any major changes to the amounts. The best thing is to talk to your prescriber about your consumption, especially if on Lithium.

[Christopher1990]

I love coffee. I can't wake up without it. I drink a lot more when I am working.

I was told if you drink coffee after about 5pm it can definitely disrupt your sleep.

If you think it is disrupting your sleep I would cut down. Other then that I think coffee is harmless. But I do know some people are highly sensitive to caffeine. I'm not one of them.

[yellow_fleurs]

Coffee definitely affects me and depending on my mood and the amount can give me panic and jittery feelings. Thing is, I have concentration problems and it helps a lot so hard to do without. I think limiting intake to a cup of coffee a day seems to be okay for me, and the biggest thing is how early I drink it. I would say drinking it before the afternoon is probably best. Also making sure I eat, especially a good meal with protein and not all sugar, and don't just run the day on caffeine helps me, too. Half caff is also a good alternative to consider. Or tea.

[*Laurie*]

I drink coffee and espresso every day. It has never kept me less sleepy; it has never kept me awake. I can drink it right before going to sleep. Sometimes 3 shots of espresso will clear my mind and help me function better.

[Unrigged64072835]

I'm sensitive to caffeine. I become really anxious and I have migraines if I withdraw. It sucks because i love coffee, and not all the blends I like are available in decaf.

[~Christina]

I can drink it day or night with no problems

[Wonderfalls]

They go back and forth about whether coffee is bad for you or good for you or even extra good for you (the coffee, not the caffeine necessarily). The very last thing I read said coffee was great if it wasn't scalding hot (?). Of course, like everything in the world, moderation is probably the key.

[bewise93]

I posted something a few months ago. There was a Harvard study that showed that the more coffee depressed people drink, the lower their risk of suicide is.

[bewise93]

Originally Posted by bewise93

I posted something a few months ago. There was a Harvard study that showed that the more coffee depressed people drink, the lower their risk of suicide is.

So keep it up!

[lesunflower]

Originally Posted by bewise93

I posted something a few months ago. There was a Harvard study that showed that the more coffee depressed people drink, the lower their risk of suicide is.

I think I read this, too! I wonder though if that is more applicable to unipolar depression (don't recall from the paper) because it lifts mood, but could be too stimulating for some people with bipolar? Just a thought.

[A Hobbit]

I’ve been drinking copious amounts of coffee for three decades. And now my eldest daughter works at a well known coffee chain, so I drink really good coffee in copious amounts every morning for free, fresh from my Bunn coffee maker.

I love coffee. I mean, I really love coffee!

If a doctor told me to give it up I’d tell them to pound sand.

And coffee late at night knocks me out. I’ll fall asleep while drinking it. In fact, I have, and spilled it all over myself. That’ll wake you up.