Kickin' The Habit

Is anyone else having trouble kicking the caffeine habit. I'm like a junkie. I was down to one a day until I got approved for surgery and then went caffeine crazy. I was trying to go cold turkey, but had the worst headache. I have an all day pre-op class and the headache from hell so this morning found myself foraging through the fridge like some kind of crack addict and glory be, there was a diet coke at the back. I drank the darned thing in 2.4 seconds and it was soooooo good going down. I think I need a 12 step program. Connie - Marchioness of March Madness

I sympathize! I wrote down my own 12 step program and made myself check it off each day. Keep thinking of how bad that headache will be in the hospital if you don't do this. (And how embarrassed you will be to be screaming COFFEE at the top of your lungs!)

Hey, Fellow Niner! I began the withdrawal two-step about 10 years ago (Hmmm...11 years ago now...wow...) when I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I was raised in a family where the first person up in the morning turned the coffee pot on, and the last one to bed turned it off. I always had a cup at my desk where I worked. But when I was told I had to cut down, I freaked. I started by not having any after 1 p.m. and switched to de-caf Pepsi, etc. From there I eased the time frame back an hour 'til I got comfy with it. For the past 5 or so years, I only had my morning cup o' cappuccino en route to work every morning (ah, a 32-oz. "cup"), but then once at work, I only drank water (still do). That held me for the past 5 years. When I decided on WLS, I knew my Starbuck's Verde Carmel Machiattos and cappuccinos were out of the question, so I just eliminated them. THAT hurt. But I've been caffeine-free since September of last year. (On top of that, I quit smoking at the same time. Yikes!) I feel your pain...but you can do it. Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to all Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-20 and counting!

Hey Connie, I'll give you my advice as I sit here with a 12 oz bottle of Dr. Pepper on my desk Cut back slowly -- decrease your caffeine intake by one every day or every other day, switch from coke to tea (less caffeine there-- I also fool myself and have ceffeine-free tea) and then cut them out all together. This will minimize the withdrawl. I had to do it this way when I was prenant (and then as soon as I wasn't pregnant, I went back -- why, why, why did I do it?) It really does work. And know once you get it out of your system, you really do feel sooo much better without that caffeine fog. Good Luck!!!!!! Whitney

Decaf tea is really good. That is helping me A LOT! I wish they had it in restaurants! Joy (3/1)

I need to join a 10 step program too!! I am struggling big time-March 1st is quickly approaching. I think the one a day sounds great (to a current 2 liter girl)-I am game if you are. I will take any suggestions as well. When I quit smoking I cut it down to 4 cigarettes a day, then to two, then to 1, and then I just stopped. That method was do-able for me. I guess I better try the same with the caffeine. Mary C-fellow marcher!!