[muse]

I can't seem to drink coffee anymore; it makes me really dizzy and physically unsteady. I never used to get like that, and oddly it only happens with straight coffee (like the stuff I brew at home, then add cream and sugar to). Specailty drinks from Starbucks, Mountain Dew or Coke, for example, doesn't have this affect.

I believe this started (or at least became more serious) after I started taking Wellbutrin, but I've been off that drug for a couple of months now... do you think it's got anything to do with the weird chemicals in my brain that are causing some of my issues (anxiety, depression, etc.)? Anybody else had this problem?

thanks much,
~muse

[Juliana]

Hormonal changes can make you more sensitive to caffeine. If you're not consuming a lot of it on a regular basis, it's quite normal to get the jitters from it. I have friends who stay away from coffee completely because of that. If you have anxiety issues, it's a good idea to be caffeine-free.

I'm a coffee addict. I drink so much of it, it doesn't hype me up at all. I have built up such an addiction, I get wicked headaches if I don't drink coffee. I'm pretty sure all that caffeine's not good for my GAD though. I would like to quit the coffee and switch back to herbal tea. Maybe you could try herbal teas instead? Something soothing like ginger or peppermint... mmm...

[muse]

Twinnings Plantation Mint Tea and Earl Grey are personal faves, but sometimes I just need that extra caffine boost... and instead, I get so dizzy I sway on the spot. XD I need to remember not to drink it anymore.

[muse]

Oh, crud, it's getting really bad right now... I feel sooo bad, ugh, this is awful.

Edit: I actually think I'm having a panic attack (or something like it anyawy) 'cause of just one cup of coffe. WTF!?!?!

God, I have to do my HW but I can't think!! Auugh.

[Juliana]

Try to calm yourself down. Here are a couple of techniques you can practise right now:

1. Deep Breathing: Put one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Take a deep breath in and make the hand on your stomach move and the hand on your chest remain still. Takes a bit of practice, but with practice it gets easier. Take a deep breath in and hold it for a count of three. Then breathe it out through your mouth and count to five before taking the next deep breath. This prevents you from hyperventilating during an attack. You need to practice this breathing daily for at least ten minutes so that it becomes an automatic response. Eventually, it comes secondary in nature.

2. Muscle relaxation: Starting with your toes tighten the muscles for thirty seconds to one minute until they start to ache. Then completely relax the muscle group letting it go limp like spaghetti and repeat the process until you know how to relax the muscle. Repeat this with all the muscle groups- fingers, hands, arms, shoulders, neck, legs. Practice this relaxation daily. When a panic attack hits, you mentally check to see which muscles you have tensed up and then relax them.

[muse]

Thanks a million, Juliana. Wish I'd read this sooner; next time I'll try it. I got kind of (well, okay, completely) overwhelmed this time 'round. Beh.

Your support means so much. I can't thank you enough.