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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 23, 2021 13:16:36 GMT
I think I need to quit coffee and it's making me so sad. I know I drink too much, period. I usually have 4 12 oz cups every morning. But I have had an uptick in manic episodes lately. And I feel so bad that I can't control them. I'm right in the thick right now again this morning with thinking a manic episode is going to get me again. And I'm jittery. And it sucks. I am wondering if the caffeine in coffee is making it worse for me. I have never been impacted by caffeine before. I am trying to figure out if I should ween myself down one cup at a time (how long between taking it down a cup?) and I'm wondering if I should do decaf (which sucks because I like flavored coffee and decaf doesn't have the selection where I like to buy coffee) or if I should switch over to hot tea instead (I do like hot tea in a variety of flavors). Anyway, I think I'm just sad about it. But I need to leave no stone unturned in this battle to get my mania under control. So maybe this is nothing more than a sad PVM. I have loved coffee for 30 years. I will be sad to see it go.  |
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Post by Linda on Aug 23, 2021 13:23:20 GMT
((((Hugs)))
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Post by phoenixcov on Aug 23, 2021 13:26:43 GMT
Does it really have to be all or nothing jeremysgirl? Maybe just limit the cups you have and space them out through the day a bit. I was put onto restricted fluid and being a tea (hot) addict it hit me hard. Fast forward a few months and the three teas a day I have now are savoured instead of taken for granted. Found it very hard to adjust at first though. Good luck with settling your manic phase.  ps. forgot to add a warm ((((hug)))) |
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Aug 23, 2021 13:28:34 GMT
It’s always sad to have to give something up. That is a LOT of coffee though, I would be absolutely buzzing. Maybe try reducing first? I know some people find it easier to stop completely. I validate your PVM, good luck!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Aug 23, 2021 13:30:07 GMT
I quit drinking caffeinated beverages (not coffee, never liked it) over 30 years ago and it’s tough! I gave it up cold turkey and the headache was brutal but I never looked back. It’s probably better to wean yourself off of it gradually especially if it’s been a longtime habit. You’ve previously faced other hard things with great success. Sending you positive vibes that you can do this too! Hang in there! |
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Post by malibou on Aug 23, 2021 13:30:34 GMT
Is it common for caffeine to become a problem? What if you used 1/2 decaf, would the flavor of the caffeine half still have enough flavor?
Could there be any link to the season getting ready to change?
I'm sorry you are struggling just now.
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Post by catmom on Aug 23, 2021 13:31:28 GMT
No to suggest it’s the same, but coffee (caffeine) definitely exacerbated anxiety. I love my morning coffee but if my anxiety is amped than I have to take a few days off. So it’s possible. Alcohol also exacerbates anxiety FYI, in case you drink.
If you drink 4 cups daily you might want to taper off rather than go cold turkey. When I am caffeine addicted (2 cups daily) and quit I get really terrible headaches and I’m in a terrible mood. To be blunt, I become a mega bitch. I do better when I go down to 1 cup then switch to decaf then tea.
Decaf is a legit option and chai tea is yummy.
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Post by elaine on Aug 23, 2021 13:31:42 GMT
(((Hugs)))
You don’t have to give up coffee! You just need to cut back on the amount of caffeine. I’d start by mixing half regular and half decaf. That way you get to keep your flavors!
The older I get, the less well I am able to tolerate caffeine. It isn’t uncommon for women to have problems with it as they grow older. I went from drinking as much as I wanted to only 1 cup of caffeinated coffee in the morning - then I switch to decaf if I need more - and only drink caffeine-free diet soda and other caffeine-free drinks during the day.
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rgibson
Full Member
Posts: 467
Apr 26, 2021 22:49:21 GMT
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Post by rgibson on Aug 23, 2021 13:36:48 GMT
I think I need to quit coffee and it's making me so sad. I undertstand the difficulty and emotions about having to give up a big pleasure in order to make life better in the long run. For me it was Coke. I am well aware that it sounds silly to say that I didn't want to give that up after having a heart attack and a quadruple bypass. People telling me that I sounded like a fool and it really shouldn't be a problem if I wanted a better quality of life really didn't help the process. In my case, I wondered if it was more about finally admitting I truly had a health problem rather than having to give up a couple cans of Coke. I know that isn't true for you as you have always been up front and honest about your health. Maybe start small and just dialling back the amount would work?
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Post by PolarGreen12 on Aug 23, 2021 13:37:06 GMT
Oh I'm sorry. I'm a coffee girl too and I know how sad and hard it can be to kick the habit. There is a correlation between caffeine and anxiety, but don't send yourself into a shock by going cold turkey. Try only 3 cups for a few days and see if that helps any.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 23, 2021 13:44:41 GMT
Does it really have to be all or nothing For now, I think it does. I've just got to see if it's making me feel worse. I've tried damn near everything else. I've increased meds, I've refilled my rescue med (which I hate having to take because it makes me sleep), and I've done just about all the deep breathing, yoga, meditation, running (sometimes that really helps when I'm so nerved up) that I can do to address the problem. I still can't get it under control. It’s probably better to wean yourself off of it gradually especially if it’s been a longtime habit. That's my plan for sure. I'm not sure I can go from that much to nothing without the effects being brutal. Could there be any link to the season getting ready to change? I have never been one to be affected by the seasons, however, work has been really busy lately. I've been working a bunch of extra to keep up with my workload right now. I'm salaried so I can basically work as much as I need to. But I've been trying to take periodic breaks throughout my day to keep me going. It could, however, be fueled by my increased workload too. However, that has never happened to me before. Alcohol also exacerbates anxiety FYI, in case you drink. I have only had two glasses of wine and a Truly popsicle in near a month. I don't drink a whole lot to begin with, but when I don't feel well, I pretty much cut it all out period. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 23, 2021 13:47:16 GMT
The older I get, the less well I am able to tolerate caffeine. It isn’t uncommon for women to have problems with it as they grow older. I am thinking that I am in perimenopause, as well. And I know that sometimes affects bipolar people (and heck, regular people too) with some mood destabilization. I'm a rapid cycler to begin with and lately I've been riding a rollercoaster. |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,467
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Aug 23, 2021 13:48:43 GMT
Caffeine is baaaadddd for my anxiety! I had a Pepsi Friday and could feel it under the surface trying to bust thru all afternoon and evening.
I’d go down a cup a day. Maybe switch to half decaf and eventually full decaf. I’m not. Coffee drinker but like tea.
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Post by mollycoddle on Aug 23, 2021 13:49:59 GMT
I understand; I drink 3 large cups of coffee every morning. But I have a bum thyroid, so it just seems to help get me going. I agree with Elaine; maybe mix caffeinated and uncaffeinated coffee. Or cut back your number of cups. At least try it and see if it helps. Good luck!
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,748 
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Aug 23, 2021 13:58:15 GMT
I'm another one who can't drink coffee, either with or without caffeine. For me, it's the coffee that's the problem. I used to drink it with no obvious issues so I know what you mean about being gutted about changing. I love the smell too. I've been drinking green tea for over 15 years now, and love it.
Maybe you can start by replacing one cup of coffee with tea, then two, then three, and see if it makes a difference?
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Post by epeanymous on Aug 23, 2021 14:11:16 GMT
I am sorry. My husband had to quit last year because he suddenly developed heart issues (that possibly are Covid-related). He really dreaded it—he has been a coffee drinker for 35 years!—but it was easier than he feared, and now he only craves it maybe once a month. Best of luck.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 23, 2021 14:12:22 GMT
Has anyone tried these decaf coffees? It was the only place I could find a good selection of flavored beans... Coffee AM |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 7:25:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2021 14:15:04 GMT
jeremysgirl I would make sure you are also not having tachycardia episodes. The poor man's tilt table test is an easy way to check for that. Caffeine makes it worse. Dd and I have to be caffeine free due to POTS, Dysautonomia, and Anxiety. I can have caffeine coffee 2x a month. That is my max. And I have to drink a lot more water and eat food.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 7:25:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2021 14:15:57 GMT
Has anyone tried these decaf coffees? It was the only place I could find a good selection of beans... Coffee AMWe like Don Francisco 100% Colombian decaf. |
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Post by elaine on Aug 23, 2021 14:19:31 GMT
Has anyone tried these decaf coffees? It was the only place I could find a good selection of beans... Coffee AMWe like Don Francisco 100% Colombian decaf. She is a flavored coffee drinker. I’m very much not, so I’m not recommending my decaf Lavazza espresso. 😝 jeremysgirl, can you make plain coffee and have a selection of flavored syrups (torani) that you add to it? |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 23, 2021 14:22:56 GMT
We like Don Francisco 100% Colombian decaf. She is a flavored coffee drinker. I’m very much not, so I’m not recommending my decaf Lavazza espresso. 😝 jeremysgirl, can you make plain coffee and have a selection of flavored syrups (torani) that you add to it? I could but I'm a black coffee drinker. I really don't want anything that is going to make my coffee sweet kwim? |
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Post by peano on Aug 23, 2021 14:57:17 GMT
I’m sorry you’re going through this and I completely understand—I love coffee. I drink one cup of flavored caf in the morning, but if I find I want more caffeine, I’ll have a caffeinated hot tea, because more than one cup of coffee tears up my stomach, and I do find excess coffee revs up my anxiety and makes me more irritable. I alternate between lattes in the afternoon in the winter and iced black tea in the summer. If I want the coffee flavor and it’s too late in the day, I’ll have a cup of decaf—usually Green Mountain hazelnut. We use pods but they also sell the beans.
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Post by auroraborealis on Aug 23, 2021 15:14:43 GMT
Definitely create a slow wean plan so you can minimize effects. But being off caffeine is awesome--it really can be great for moods and sleep and such. I HIGHLY recommend people giving it a try to see how they feel without the caffeine after they adjust. Hopefully the peas can help with some great flavored decafs for you, and once you are off the benefits will make it SO worth it. Best wishes and you have my support.
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miyooper2b
Full Member
Posts: 330
Location: Central Indiana
Jun 27, 2014 15:38:05 GMT
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Post by miyooper2b on Aug 23, 2021 15:14:54 GMT
Sadly, I've had to give up coffee because it interferes with my sleep. At first I tried to only drink it in the morning, then I went to half-caf, then to decaf. Even that small amount of caffeine makes a difference to me. Giving it up wasn't as hard as I thought. I do occasionally miss it but not enough to give up a good night's sleep. FWIW I'm almost 60.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 23, 2021 15:25:40 GMT
I do occasionally miss it but not enough to give up a good night's sleep. FWIW I'm almost 60. It has never impacted my sleep that I can tell, which is a good thing. I protect my sleep so much because it is so vital to having a stable mood. But if it improves, even better. |
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Post by elaine on Aug 23, 2021 15:32:58 GMT
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 7:25:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2021 15:34:06 GMT
or if I should switch over to hot tea instead I was going to suggest switching to tea as there are lots of flavours to choose from. I've given up coffee since I had my first Covid vaccine, I can't even stand the smell anymore (not 100% sure it's related but I was having two cups a day prior to the jab) |
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Post by scrapmaven on Aug 23, 2021 15:38:58 GMT
I had to give up caffine and I was a big coffee drinker. When I used to work the coffee maker was in front of my office. I realized that I was the one who was constantly cleaning and changing the coffee maker. That means that I was drinking a lot of coffee. I cut way back, but still had to have my coffee. A few years ago, I gave it up by switching to decaff. Unlike you I need my coffee to be sweet. Perhaps you can do one cup of regular and then decaff? Decaff has some caffine, but not as much.
Sounds like you're having a rough patch w/mixed episodes and that is going to exacerbate anxiety and depression, as well. ((((HUGS))).
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 23, 2021 15:53:54 GMT
I did not even think of this idea. But it's a good one. |
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Post by scrapcat on Aug 23, 2021 16:23:11 GMT
You can try mixing decaf with your coffee now as you wean. Maybe you could find the right combo where you still use a little of your regular flavor coffee just to give you a hint of the flavor but mostly decaf?
I use a half-caf style but add sweet creams to it for flavor.
I sympathize with you on the coffee thing....I've had to forgo it a bit thru chemo treatment, but it actually helped me break the habit a bit. Now I just have a half cup on some days and that's good enough.
I think herbal teas would also be an option if you can get off the caffeine, because then you would get a unsweet flavor. I agree it could also def relate to perimenopause too. So many weird things happen in the body and there just isn't a lot of research/info.
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