Caffeine?, In moderation, or not at all? Options

[Actingup]

I just wanted to know what the general consensus with caffeine is. I’m aware it’s one of those things we’re supposed to give up, but the reason I originally gave it up is because I used to think that the speeding up of my heart (caused by caffeine) was a heart attack.

As I’ve tried to get on top of things, I’ve also re-introduced caffeine, mainly as a but of a thumb to the nose at anxiety. “I can have coffee and still be OK, I won’t descend into thinking I’m having a heart attack”.

In moderation… what do people think? Not worth it?

[Actingup]

Oh, and obviously because I like having a cuppa tea with my morning bikkie – I’m not just trying to make things harder for myself!

[sandy]

I've always maintained that coffee makes no difference to my state at all, i did a detox before and was exactly the same.

However...the last week has changed my mind, I'm beginning to think I'm not quite as tolerant anymore, I drink about 20 cups a day (no kidding) and I am sleeping badly if at all, and my nerves are in shreds no matter what I do

'm going to try a detox again and see if it helps, I use the chinese teas, it also sheds a few pounds of you as a bonus!!

[gi jim]

I have 1 cup in the am doesnt seem to bug me??

[kaseypas]

Sandy, I'm so happy to hear you say that!!!!! I really hope it helps! and do you mean ginseng tea? Are you gonna try knocking that off, too? Please? For a bit? Our systems change, maybe you're right and your tolerance has gone down.
Actingup, I did the same thing as you in the beginning, now I drink 1/2 caf (actually 3/4 caf!) so I can enjoy 2 cups in the morning. NEVER afternoon or evening. Not even soda. I say if you wake up anxious skip the coffee or get decaf in to make on those days. Just go with how you feel. Yeah, it's probably a nutty idea for those of us who are still struggling at all but, ya know, it's good stuff!!!

[linder]

Sandy, I'm so happy to hear you say that!!!!! I really hope it helps! and do you mean ginseng tea? Are you gonna try knocking that off, too? Please? For a bit? Our systems change, maybe you're right and your tolerance has gone down.
Actingup, I did the same thing as you in the beginning, now I drink 1/2 caf (actually 3/4 caf!) so I can enjoy 2 cups in the morning. NEVER afternoon or evening. Not even soda. I say if you wake up anxious skip the coffee or get decaf in to make on those days. Just go with how you feel. Yeah, it's probably a nutty idea for those of us who are still struggling at all but, ya know, it's good stuff!!!

Caffene and sugar don't agree with me right now. Maybe someday. I love coffee! Just have one cup of decafe in the morning. YUK! linder

[Actingup]

Sandy, I'm so happy to hear you say that!!!!! I really hope it helps! and do you mean ginseng tea? Are you gonna try knocking that off, too? Please? For a bit? Our systems change, maybe you're right and your tolerance has gone down.
Actingup, I did the same thing as you in the beginning, now I drink 1/2 caf (actually 3/4 caf!) so I can enjoy 2 cups in the morning. NEVER afternoon or evening. Not even soda. I say if you wake up anxious skip the coffee or get decaf in to make on those days. Just go with how you feel. Yeah, it's probably a nutty idea for those of us who are still struggling at all but, ya know, it's good stuff!!!

Thanks for the thoughts. I also drink 1/2 caff when I order it from somewhre. And play it by ear per day. I think it is one of those things that you have to play by ear. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one still sipping away on coffee and battling anxiety. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Sandy I hope the teas work well for you, I've often found teas that are designed for pregnant woman (all those lovely anti-naseau and calming things in them!) are really great as well if you're looking for some other herbal alternatives.

[sandy]

I have lots of different teas, green tea (ew yuk blurgh) mint, but usually I'll go wiht decaffeinated tea bags, cant really tell the difference to be honest...I use a weight loss tea called wu long, its a detox weight loss and diauretic, it's prety expensive but good for me

I hate the whole thought of detox, it was hell, (she says on her second cup of coffee) and water to me is the most disgusting thing I could ever drink

[kaseypas]

Sandy, I hate green tea, too. When I make it I put a cherry tea bag in with it. Makes it way better!

[bobv]

I use to drink 2 cups in the morning and one on my morning commute to work. I've cut down to the 2 cups and a juice or water on my morning commute. I seem to be ok with that.

[Juliana]

I used to drink coffee all day and then have an energy drink here and there... Quit it for about 6 months... used to be afraid of the "speeding my heart" effect... but then again, what wasn't I afraid of?!?! Back to 1/2 caf--about 2 or 3 cups in the morning, and then decaf again when I get to work... Sandy, I am glad you decided to cut down... hang in there...

[Handle]

I find if the panic attacks are really prominent at the moment it is best to avoid it. It does seem to have quite an effect on mine - moreso coffee for some reason even though I've heard tea has more caffeine, maybe it's some sort of placebo for me. But yeah a month or so back I was having a bad time with them so I cut it out and it does help. I do enjoy tea however and now have it while I'm generally not getting many panic attacks or I'm controlling them better. Coffee I rarely have, partly because I don't like it and also because it had an effect on the attacks.

Or I will have coffee where I know I'm not going into a situation likely to give me a panic attack.

[Heath]

I stopped drinking coffee for a while (I was an all day drinker for a long time) My stomach hurt all the time and that would set off panic when the attacks started. During most of the last three months I have tried it here and there but the coffee along with alcohol was difficult to deal with, as soon as I got a little wound up from the caffeine (or dopey from the alcohol) I went into panic.

Lately I have been able to handle a cup in the morning with no adverse problems (any more than that and my stomach start to hurt so one does the trick with no panic onset).

your probably good if you recognize that the caffeine has sped up your heart and its not a heart attack, in fact that is a great step forward if you are there.

[Sabrina Behrens]

Caffeine is a stimulant, which can increase anxiety in some individuals. It really depends on the person, but most individuals with heightened day to day anxiety find that cutting out caffeine is very helpful for naturally decreasing anxious sensations and feelings.

Even cutting back a bit can be helpful, just be aware that drastically cutting back on caffeine can cause headaches, so try to cut back gradually (3 cups of coffee per day one week, down to two cups per day the next week etc).

[sussa]

Hi, i just loves coffee, but i cant have more then a few cups, my stomach turns up side down of it, and i feel nausea and get panic.
Befor i was drinking around 15-20 cups a day, if i would do that now, i probebly would trow up (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)
And thats my biggest fear of all...to get sick to my stomach. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
/sussa

[Actingup]

Hi, i just loves coffee, but i cant have more then a few cups, my stomach turns up side down of it, and i feel nausea and get panic.
Befor i was drinking around 15-20 cups a day, if i would do that now, i probebly would trow up (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)
And thats my biggest fear of all...to get sick to my stomach. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
/sussa

15 to 20 cups! Wow. You must have had a stomach of steal!! I also fear getting a sick stomach, but lately I feel more and more at peace with it. There were parts of the book that really helped with that. I think it was the first part - applying the one move technique to the knots/nausea in my tummy. I manage to recognise them as just anxiety paying me a visit as oppose to entertaining the thoughts that I'm actually sick.

What do you do Sussa?

[Simon]

I find if the panic attacks are really prominent at the moment it is best to avoid it. It does seem to have quite an effect on mine - moreso coffee for some reason even though I've heard tea has more caffeine, maybe it's some sort of placebo for me. But yeah a month or so back I was having a bad time with them so I cut it out and it does help. I do enjoy tea however and now have it while I'm generally not getting many panic attacks or I'm controlling them better. Coffee I rarely have, partly because I don't like it and also because it had an effect on the attacks.

Or I will have coffee where I know I'm not going into a situation likely to give me a panic attack.

I think thats great advice.