General Question

Strauss's avatar

What's a good way to kick caffeine?

Asked by Strauss (23624points) July 16th, 2009

I will be involved in a medical study and will be expected to forgo caffeine for a couple weeks. I know I can do it cold turkey, but I don’t want to put up with the headaches. Also, another family member is withdrawing cold turkey from nicotine.

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

16 Answers

eponymoushipster's avatar

put the coffee on the ground first. drop kicking some hot joe could burn.~

slowly drink smaller amounts.

bpeoples's avatar

I’ll say that cold turkey is the only way I’ve sucessfully done it (as I sip a large coffee)—just took a weekend of laying on the couch while my wife was out of town =)

Switching to half-caf coffee, and then continuing to decrease the amount until you’re drinking decaf (about 2% the amount in regular coffee), and then stop drinking coffee (and you should avoid the headaches).

eponymoushipster's avatar

yeah, i should add: i’ve had something like 50oz of coffee today. i’m actually in a starbucks as i write this. the sheer concept is beyound my grasp.

cak's avatar

Yikes, cold turkey…yeah, that’s a form of hell on earth.

My neurologist suggested a stepping down the use, and it will ease the headaches. It worked for me, and I no longer drink anything with caffeine. For me to go cold turkey, it would have triggered very serious migraines. Not something I wanted to deal with. The schedule can be adjusted, as needed. Keep in mind, caffeine was just about my only vice. I loved caffeine. I also wasn’t on a deadline to start a medical study, so adjust the time schedule to fit your needs.

I drank a lot of tea, and started to make decaff tea, (iced tea), as well. I started with a ¾ mix of caffeinated tea to ¼ decaf and slowly (over about two – three weeks) reduced the portion of caffeinated to decaffeinated tea. Now, I can’t stand the bitterness of caffeinated tea and really don’t drink that much of the decaff stuff, either.

As far as coffee – my sister did the same, made both, but slowly reduced the amount of caffeinated to decaffeinated coffee, until it was all decaff.

Soda – Limit your daily intake to sodas – if you drink two a day – go to one. Do that for 3 or 4 days, then reduce to the smaller cans. Start skipping a day, then two days in-between – spacing out the days between sodas, and finally just stop.

Increase your water, as you do this – it also helps with the headaches. Only order water when you are out.

Strauss's avatar

Maybe if I just cut my Coca-Cola intake from 4 20-ouncers a day…

Strauss's avatar

And then cut back on my coffee to only two cups in the morning…

Strauss's avatar

I might be on my way.

Actually, I had to quit about 15 years ago for a while, had to do with an ulcer. I found out that many fruit-flavored sodas contain caffeine as well.

cak's avatar

Holy Moley. You’re a caffeine junkie! ;~) Been there, done that. Best of luck to you!

aprilsimnel's avatar

@eponymoushipster50 oz???!! Your real name is Dave Foley, isn’t it?

Drink plenty of cool water, or even tepid, if need be. Caffeine is a diuretic.

eponymoushipster's avatar

@aprilsimnel yeah, i’ve had more.

ubersiren's avatar

Switch out one bottle of soda for caffeine free. Then a week later, switch another one. They taste the same. Don’t limit yourself from soda altogether, just the caffeine in it. Eventually, maybe you’ll drink some water! :o) I completely switched to caffeine free tea a couple months ago, but I wasn’t really addicted, I don’t think, so I didn’t have any problems. Good luck to you.

marinelife's avatar

We started with half caff coffee, then one quarter, and then all decaf.

bcstrummer's avatar

Bear tranquilizers

Noel_S_Leitmotiv's avatar

May i try the bear tranquilizers.. with vodka?..

Cardinal's avatar

I feel for you, myself, never smoked and have never had a cup (sip) of coffee. And I live in Starbuck’s country. The java smells good, but no interest in tasting it. Good luck.

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther