Hello, My name is obkbbby and I'm an addict.

[obkbbby]

Oy! I knew I was addicted to carbs. That was never a mystery. I didn't realize how addicted I was to caffeine. Until today. I don't drink coffee, but I was drinking one 20 oz Diet Pepsi daily. Knowing the habits of my friends and colleagues who sometimes drink up to a six pack of sodas a day (what is that, 72 oz?), I didn't think that was too much. However, within 18 hours of induction, I had a headache. I didn't think it was related at first. I figured it was just a stress headache or something. (I'm a teacher and yesterday was the first day back from spring break. I teach autistic children, so those in the know can imagine what it was like.)

This morning, though, the headache was very strong. By noon, at school, it turned into the worst migraine I've had since college (15 years). Nothing helped. I started to suspect caffeine, but I was determined not to give in. Instead, another teacher gave me Excedrine for Migraines and that helped. It's still not gone, though.

Anyone have any ideas? I don't think it's the withdrawl from carbs - I blame the shakes on those. That's what usually happens when I stop eating carbs. But the headache is a new one for me. I'm drinking lots of water - about 70 oz a day. I've followed the plan very well (I'm only on day 2). Is this just a grin-and-bear-it type of scenario?

Thanks!

[grovemonkey]

Re: Hello, My name is obkbbby and I'm an addict.

Personally, I just cut back my caffine intake.. I didn't eliminate it. you should see if drinking some caffine affects your weight loss too dramatically. A cup of coffe in the day doesn't seem to affect my overall progess at this point. I would have a terrible time eliminating it completely. I've done induction before and getting rid of all my carbs is tough enough but caffine too can cause me to jump ship. It's better to have you weight loss slow down and to gradually cut back on your caffine intake than to give up on the diet completely, in my opinion.

[julirama723]

Re: Hello, My name is obkbbby and I'm an addict.

Grin and bear it, and DITCH IT NOW.

I made the mistake of NOT giving up caffiene during induction, and I had to go through withdrawal twice, once from carbs and once from caffiene. Sucks big time. I also got a KILLER migraine from it, but since I started doing atkins "cleanly" I haven't had a SINGLE migraine!

You're going to go through withdrawal, why not get it over with, rather than having to go through it twice? No use torturing yourself, and you'll be better off without the caffiene in your body. Caffiene effects EVERYONE differently and I would never recommend that you continue to consume it during induction. Caffiene inhibits weight loss and can also cause cravings for "sweets", a double-whammy. Clean out your system, and later, if you choose to, you can add it back in here and there. A clean induction is your best bet, and will give you the best success!

[YaniBoni]

Re: Hello, My name is obkbbby and I'm an addict.

Grin and bear it, and DITCH IT NOW.

I made the mistake of NOT giving up caffiene during induction, and I had to go through withdrawal twice, once from carbs and once from caffiene. Sucks big time. I also got a KILLER migraine from it, but since I started doing atkins "cleanly" I haven't had a SINGLE migraine!

You're going to go through withdrawal, why not get it over with, rather than having to go through it twice? No use torturing yourself, and you'll be better off without the caffiene in your body. Caffiene effects EVERYONE differently and I would never recommend that you continue to consume it during induction. Caffiene inhibits weight loss and can also cause cravings for "sweets", a double-whammy. Clean out your system, and later, if you choose to, you can add it back in here and there. A clean induction is your best bet, and will give you the best success!

Everything that Julie said this is my 3rd time going through induction and I already know that the 3rd or 4th day I better have some pain relievers on me! TRUE STORY! but it is best to let it go now. You can do it!

[bradybunchmom]

Re: Hello, My name is obkbbby and I'm an addict.

Ahhhh that really is tough....I've been there a few times.....and those headaches are the worst.....I have always said that I would never quit caffeine cold turkey again....but I lied....lol....I know it's miserable though and I hope you are feeling better soon....hang in there.....you should feel so much better very soon
I'm not sure why I didn't have the problems with it this time....but I switched to decaf coffee (1 cup in the am) and decaf Tea (usually only 1 cup every few days) and I did fine....who knows....

[obkbbby]

Re: Hello, My name is obkbbby and I'm an addict.

Thanks so much for the encouragement! I haven't given in, yet. I want to try and kick the habit. It won't make me quit the diet - I'm too motivated this time for that. Hopefully, it won't last long!!

[LuckyD]

Re: Hello, My name is obkbbby and I'm an addict.

Excederin for migraines main ingredient is caffeine! Doesnt that suck? I get migraine-muscle tension headaches and I would take those all the time. Then I made the mistake of taking one before bed. That was one long night. Caffeine is harder to beat than sugar for me.

[obkbbby]

Re: Hello, My name is obkbbby and I'm an addict.

ACCK!! NO, I didn't know! So I gave in without knowing it. Oy! Okay, no worries. I know better now. Thanks for letting me know!!

(Makes sense why it worked so well!)

[bigjim66]

Re: Hello, My name is obkbbby and I'm an addict.

obkbbby,

Indeed, it would be better to go through withdrawals from both addictions at once. Then you know that you are done with them forever. Been there myself. I would not choose to double my withdrawal suffering duration! I would rather have just quit carbs and caffeine simultaneously. But when I kicked caffeine, I didn't know about Atkins yet.

[MissyMiss]

Re: Hello, My name is obkbbby and I'm an addict.

I know your pain! I've been there, and done that! I would say that should up your water some..you said you were drinking 70oz, but the minimum you should be drinking is 8-8oz cups (64oz), and another 8oz for every 25lbs you want to lose, pumping LOTS, and LOTS of water, can help get things through out of your system, and clean it up a little faster.

Hope today is better for you!

[obkbbby]

Re: Hello, My name is obkbbby and I'm an addict.

I figured I wasn't getting enough water. The problem is my bladder is so small, it's almost killing me to drink 70 oz a day! I'm trying to increase it a little every day.

Thanks for the encouragement! The last two days have been better. The headache is still there but it's not nearly as bad. I've had no caffeine since the excedrin.

[Belori]

Re: Hello, My name is obkbbby and I'm an addict.

Ugh. I had a headache for three days. I rarely drank anything that didn't contain caffeine. When I started to go through withdrawl I thought I would die. My head hurt and my stomach hurt so bad I felt like throwing up. Combine that with the "hot flashes" (I get a feeling of hotness all over two or three times a day that lasts for an hour or more) and I was in pure misery. My headache let up about two days ago and I feel much better and I'm glad to know I don't have to go through it again.

Hang in there. It definitely is no fun especially when you have to deal with children or other noisy situations when all you want to do is crawl under a rock. I'm glad you're feeling some relief. It's almost over, I'm sure. Good luck and feel better!