Day 1 down, Coffee headaches suck :(

[saucy_one]

Eating was fine, got my 20g of carbs in mostly veggie form. Ate my fats, lots of protein, no cheating, and low salt! Was very proud of myself.

However, come 3pm, after 2 decaf coffees, I had a pounding headache. It didn't go away. I drank plenty of water, hoping that would help and it didn't. I didn't take any tylenol because I only had those sweetened tablets. Anyways... 10 pm rolls around and I want to sleep soon and my headache hasn't gone away... so I made myself a cup of coffee. I drank half of it in two or three sips.. and my headache instantly disappeared!!!

I am not proud of having to resort to this but I now know that I am going to have to wean myself off coffee and not go cold turkey. I am used to 4 to 6 cups of caffeine a day, mostly in coffee form! So to go from that to 1/2 a cup I thought is a good start.

So far today only decaf... we will see how this goes.

Has anyone else experienced something similar to this? Any pointers?

[poobears1972]

Re: Day 1 down, Coffee headaches suck

There isn't enough sugar in a tablet coating to hurt you. Take the pain meds, don't suffer with headaches, not necessary. If you decide to wean yourself off mix 1/2 regular and 1/2 decaf to start and gradually build up the amount of decaf in there until you aren't using regular anymore. I'd just take the tylenol and get it over with.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Day 1 down, Coffee headaches suck

It's generally a good idea to wean yourself off caffeine slowly.

[veggieloverco]

Re: Day 1 down, Coffee headaches suck

Ouch, sounds like a rough night!

I agree, next time take a tylenol. I'm weaning myself down from caffeine too...was up to 6 cups a day and now just have the one with a dash of cream.

On occasion in the last week I end the day with a terrible headache...either caffeine withdrawl or sugar withdrawl or carb withdrawl and have found 2 midol work better for me then tylenol. I think midol puts a little caffeine in their headache medicine so it takes the edge off fast for me.

Hope it gets better for you today!

[saucy_one]

Re: Day 1 down, Coffee headaches suck

Interesting! I will take a tylenol if I need it. And I think I should have researched the caffeine thing a bit more before deciding to go cold turkey... there have been a few good discussions on here. I never realized how much caffeine I was consuming until I added it up the other day... holy moly!

Thanks for the replies I feel the headache coming on right now so I think I will have a 1/2 cup of tea...

[2big4mysize]

Re: Day 1 down, Coffee headaches suck

is your tylenol caffeine free? some contries sell it with caffeine in it. if yours does have caffeiene you can take any OTC pain med for your headache that is caffeine free. the stuff in DANDR Dr Atkins is talking about avoiding or will interfer with weight loss is long term taking not occasional use.

I did the caffeiene withdrawal headache for 3 days and then day 4 arrived and it was so calm.

[jebjow2]

Re: Day 1 down, Coffee headaches suck

Caffiene is one thing I haven't given up yet. ALTHOUGHT, I have cut WAAAYYYY down. I used to drink AT LEAST 2 POTS a day. I'm down to 2 cups a day. I have one in the morning and one in the evening. It gives me something to look forward to. I used to have mine with fat free vanilla creamer but have since switched to heavy whipping cream (or half&half if heavy cream isn't available) and I either use one splenda or half an ounce of sugar free vanilla syrup (made with splenda). We also use half-caf coffee at home, so that helps too.

Good luck though. I just couldn't put up with headaches. I did have some withdrawal symptoms just cutting back but I feel a lot better now that I'm not hyped up on it!

[msanjelpie]

Re: Day 1 down, Coffee headaches suck

A caffeine withdrawal headache usually doesn't last longer than 48 to 72 hours... Wean yourself down to 1-2 coffees a day and then take the plunge... the less coffee you are drinking before you quit all together the less pain the headache should be.

[Crazzikat]

Re: Day 1 down, Coffee headaches suck

Hello Saucy One....
I just started yesterday and did wonderful with the eating...but I knew that I would have a killer headache if I just completely stopped the coffee or went on decaffeinated.. So when I made a pot yesterday morning and this morning I usually put 3 scoops of coffee in it, but the past two days I used 2 scoops of regular coffee & 1 scoop de-caf...I will do this for a few days then go to 1 scoop regualar to 2 scoops decaf...then hopefully get off of regular coffee alltogether!!
I wish you luck on your journey!!!

[poobears1972]

Re: Day 1 down, Coffee headaches suck

Dh hasn't given up his coffee and I don't think he ever will, won't drink decaf either. So far it doesn't seem to be an issue with him. I think everyone reacts differently.

[saucy_one]

Re: Day 1 down, Coffee headaches suck

That is a good point, thank you PooBear. Coffee doesn't have a huge affect on me - I can have it before bed and I will have a peaceful sleep. But I think it is still healthier to avoid stimulants for overall wellbeing so I will continue to cut back - but maybe not quit. We shall see

Today I unfortunately have had a cup already as I have come down with a bad cold and it was the only thing around that wasn't just hot water. Perhaps I will try plain hot water in awhile. I haven't been sick in over a year and a half! What luck!