Weaning off caffeine...

I remember when I was drinking coffee all the time & went on a weekend beach campout with the girlscout troop. We forgot to bring coffee......By the 1st afternoon, I had a horrible headache that I can remember even now after having horrible migraines all the time anyway, that one was really the worst.

Since migraines, I have gone off caffeine all together & can really notice when I take in just a little bit. I even drink decaf tea....& can't eat chocolate. Caffeine is in all kinds of foods, we don't even realize it is in.

Remember to look at your complete diet when going off caffeine cause it's everywhere,
Debbie

Today was my first day back at my teaching job, and sitting thru long boring meetings all day. I found myself yawning and trying to stay focused, but I still refrained from going for that cup of coffee. Even going to lunch with the other teachers, I ordered a non-caffeine drink instead of my usual diet cola. After going thru the headaches and getting this out of my system, I'm determined to continue. In the past, in teacher meetings, when I was revved on caffeine, I would blurt out responses that got lots of laughs, after which I would wonder, "Why did I say that!??? I'm much calmer now and don't have to worry about such behavior!
Also, I'm hyperactive, and coffee makes me pace when I'm home alone. Things are much better now!
Love and good thoughts to all of you getting away from caffeine.
Patty

((((hugs)))) I'm glad you can see the difference between drugged on caffeine and not. If you find a suitable drink to substitute in those meetings, let me know! Actually, strong ginger or green tea (hot) works for me. I think it's the habit of sitting and "comforting" a hot mug while discussing things is what many people are also hooked on.

Keep up the good work!

BTW as I moved about the country in the past, I also joined churches that were "de-caffed." I didn't want the ones who preached it was a drug and all that, but ones that just knew it was not good for the body, and didn't serve it.

It's my understanding that green tea also contains caffeine. I will have to research this, but I've been told it does.
Patty

This is how my doctor instructed me to wean off caffeine......

Start the week with removing just one serving of caffeine from your regular drinking schedule, continue each preceding week with removing a 2nd serving, then a 3rd and a 4th, with each week that passes, until you are finally down to no caffeine what so ever.

If you are weaning off of coffee try substituting the removed caffeine drink with decaffeinated coffee or hot tea.

Not all teas contain caffeine...though it probably would have been through some process eh? But I think the green tea has enough goodness to warrant trying it (without caffeine.)

Have to consider chocolate too, if you want to go natural

I actually found a LIPTON "cold brew" ice tea that is de-caf. I live on that completely now. I don't care for just plain water, but the little flavor of the tea is great. My thing is ice however. Everything has to be REALLY COLD for me to be able to drink it.

Sounds like you are doing great with the going off caffeine. Great that you can see the positive effects of not having the caffeine in your body. It is amazing how something that insignificant can cause that much difference in our bodies. It is also amazing how many things have caffeine in them that we don't even think about.

Keep up the good work,
Debbie

All real tea (not talking about herbal) contains caffeine unless it is decaffeinated. I think green tea is just younger leaves, nothing really "special" about it other than young vs. old :-) There's "white" tea and all sorts of "kinds" that are being hyped now for health reasons but tea is basically tea. Tea does have less caffeine than coffee. I love reading on this semi-official UK tea site: http://www.tea.co.uk/ There's a good coffee and caffeine site I like too: http://coffeefaq.com/site/node/25

Thanks, Sky, Debbie, and Perna!
Yes, I've refrained from chocolate as well! My energy level is normal now...not dragging like when I first went off coffee.
It's really not an insignificant thing for me as it affects my anxiety level as well as the way I interact with people. I'm hoping to remain calm when I get my students for the first time on Monday.
Thanks all,
Love
Patty

Good luck to the caffiene-weaners. I give you much credit.

I would never even entertain the thought of cutting down on my coffee intake. It's not so much the caffiene as the comforting process of making/buying/drinking the coffee.
It's very soothing to me. However, I have never tried decaf. Nor have I ever thought of trying it.

I think my T finds the amount of coffee I drink amusing. I often drink it during session. And before bed. And right now.

Oh well.