It's been 72 hours since I have ingested the sweet, sweet nectar of coffee. My favourite is the Italian roast at Starbucks.
Right now, at 11:26 am on Day 3, I am ready to put my fist through a window. Only I don't have the energy. I slept well last night. I slept great actually after a 22 km bike ride that was so sweaty my hair was dripping (the mosquitoes LOVED it).
I feel depressed and groggy. I also find it challenging to concentrate. Surprisingly, I don't have a headache which, according to Dr. Google, is the number one reported symptom of caffeine withdrawal.
Dr. Google also suggests that I will experience the following during my possible week-long, or even month-long, detox:
Irritability
Oh yeah, totally. I have my office door shut tight. I'd lock it if I could.
Lethargy
I'm unmotivated to do anything. Don't ask me to design any graphics this week, it won't happen. Yet, I can still exercise.
Depression
I haven't gotten to a point where I feel like there is no hope in living but I have no desire to smile. Ask me again on Friday.
Lack of Concentration
It's good I'm not a brain surgeon.
I get the headaches. I have actually gotten searing migraines from caffeine withdrawal. I just can't do it, so good on you!
ReplyDeleteAs a compromise, I do try to limit the caffeine. Especially considering how I have ingested heart-palpitation levels of it. Now onto my diet coke. Can't drink coffee with this current cold that will not go away.
No, no good for me. This is pretty awful. I don't think I can do it!
ReplyDeleteYou can! It is awful, but I have kicked it before. Normally in conjunction with being sick. But just randomly? I just can't do it.
ReplyDeleteSome people have switched to tea or even decaf. It can give the same mouth-feel and/or act like a placebo.
Writing about it made me want one. So I had 8 ounces... sigh... but I feel SO MUCH BETTER.
ReplyDeleteI used to order a medium at Tim Hortons twice a day (morning and afternoon). I switched to a small in the afternoon and make my own in the morning.
ReplyDeleteI might try the decaf thing next, thanks Squiggles!
Don't be too hard on yourself, Cindy. I'm lucky I never started drinking coffee or tea - I don't like the taste and was never willing to go through the "acquiring" period (same reason I haven't touched beer since I had a sip of my dad's in Grade 4 - yuck!). People ask me how I survive but never having drank it, it's not an issue for me. I make hot chocolate in winter when I feel like something hot. HOWEVER. I. LOVE. my Coca-Cola and although it's not the same amount or same withdrawal symptoms, it is so hard to give up. I'm not crazy about it, I have one every day or every other day, but it's something that I feel bad about.
ReplyDeleteWeaning your way down is the only way to go.
ReplyDeleteI get the headaches so bad I want to split my own skull with an axe because I believe it would hurt less.
It's only in the past two years that I became a every day habitual drinker of coffee, and usually 12 ounces, and only in the morning. Weaning to 8 ounces and eventually switching to decaf seems to be the way to go.
ReplyDeleteNot a problem. In fact, my addiction is so great that at home I cut my regular with decaf. Just to make things a bit better.
ReplyDeleteAnd, when I think of people drinking straight decaf all I can think is: it is like paying a prostitute to snuggle.
Personally I think the caffeine is the least harmful thing in coffee (at least weight for weight) might as well enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI have the same effect with tea. If I don't have my tea by noon, my head hurts. I'm trying to cut back.
ReplyDeleteDid I miss a few details? Why are you giving up coffee? How do you take your coffee?
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to see if I could do it. I enjoy torturing myself
Delete@Kelly
ReplyDeleteI don't drink tea or coffee (or beer) either! Can't stand them... most people think I'm crazy so glad to know I'm not alone. I also drink Hot Chocolate in the winter, and drink the occasional diet Coke or Coke Zero :)