Giving up caffeine now before the surgery? Will Chamomile tea help?

My doctor's nurse suggested and heavily recommended that I give up caffeine NOW ...prior to my surgery. Not an easy thing...this is one of my greatest weaknesses and something I'll really miss. She said I'll be going through enough pain and discomfort to not need the misery of caffeine withdrawal on top of it. Well, I ATTEMPTED to start yesterday and ended up drinking 2 glasses of ice tea at lunch. That's much better than all the Diet Coke I usually drink in one day, but still, I'm kinda disappointed. I'm going to give it a try again today. But if any of you are like me and are addicted to caffeine, I wanted to give you a hint that the nurse told me. She said that some patients have reported to her that chamomile tea helps to combat the effects of caffeine withdrawal and helps with irritability and headaches, etc.

Hi Lee Ann, It seems to me that we might need a drug rehab program for MARCHERS.. Hi, My name is Betsy and I am an addict. My drug of choice is Caffeine, Nicotine, and Food. Don't ask me to pick just one because they are all making me Okay, I've whipped caffeine, working on nicotine and we all know what's happening about the food!!!!! I figured out exactly how much Diet Coke I was mainlineing each day and everyday after that I did 8 to 12 ozs less. I am now Caffeine Free with no bad headaches and stuff. Worked great for me. Court Jester Of Squirrels: Betsy

Thanks so much for the support! And I hear you about addictions. In a way, I'm almost fortunate to have asthma because it always prevented me from smoking. With the ease that I've gotten addicted to carbs and caffeine, I think God I didn't smart smoking. I'm sure I would have abused it, too. My prayers will be with you as you kick that habit. My husband has tried, to no avail, so many times, so you have my sympathy. Maybe we'll get lucky and simply won't WANT those things afterwards. The nurse indicated that most patients do NOT want carbonated beverages, so hopefully, that will take care of my Diet Coke problem. Have a great day and God Bless! Lee Ann ( thought I'd add the horse emoticon since my husband and I have 2 quarter horses. Their names are Milligan Playgirl (Milly) and Sugar Illini (Sugar). I hope I can lose enough weight and keep it off to feel comfortable riding them for once.

Dont want to be negative, but do please allow yourself plenty of time before you go horse back riding. My dr specifically warned of hernia problems from doing that too soon. Joy (3/1)

G'morning, Lee Ann!! Yup, the caffeine withdrawal is a tough one. I had to cut WAY down on it for other reasons about 11 years ago, and have survived ever since with one cup (is 32-oz considered a 'cup'?) on the way to work in the morning. And THAT was cappuccino. But I knew my cappuccino wouldn't work after surgery, so I stopped THAT last fall. I guess I did alright (I have headaches every day of my life, so I don't know if it increased 'em or not...?), but now I could put my head down on my desk and go to SLEEP when I arrive at work. THAT has been my one symptom of caffeine withdrawal. Tough fighting that urge, too. Hang in there. It'll get better with time. Hey, your surgery is day before mine...we're almost there! YIPPEE!! Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-17 and counting!

Lee Ann, I'm right there with you, sister. I've got a major Diet Coke addiction. I tried to stop cold turkey last Sunday and by Monday looked like a crack addict going through the back of my refridgerator looking for a stray soda. I had one Diet Coke and one iced tea on Monday. That stopped the headache. On Tuesday, I waited until I felt the headache coming on and had an iced tea. That was about noon. Each day I've waited until I started to get a caffeine headache and then just had tea. It seems like the headaches are further and further apart. I saw my surgeon on Thursday and talked to her about it and she said that was probably the best approach. She's more worried about carbonation than caffeine. So if I don't make it completely off the tea by surgery, I'll survive, but I'm down to one a day. Tea has become my methadone program. Connie

I had that problem too. I strongly recommend you give yourself a week to wean yourself. I did a couple of days with no caffeine after noon. Then went to one caffeine drink a day. Then went to mixing decaf coffee with real coffee. Then gave it up---NO HEADACHE; NO WITHDRAWAL! Last time I did it cold turkey I had a headache for a week. This time I had weaned myself and it took less time than the headache lasted. I agree, that I sure wouldn't want to have that headache postop!!! Good luck! Be kind to yourself! Joy (3/1)

Yanno - a thought here.... Don't they give us drugs in the hospital? Doncha think those heavy duty happy pills will be sufficient??? Just a thought. I'm not too aware of my head when my belly's been split open. Dina ----who currently has a caffeine headache WHILE she is drinking her coffee. Whasup with that?

Thanks for the replies to my posts, everyone! I'm taking the advice of some of you here and weaning myself off caffeine...so, as we speak, I'm brewing some ice tea and I used both a decaff. tea bag as well as a regular tea bag. Maybe the regular will help THIS bag! I also thought the medication and just trauma after surgery would make the caffeine issue unsubstantial, but apparently not. The nurse said that this is one of the more common comments given by patients when asked what they wish they'd done differently. So, I'm going to take the advice and be off caffeine before the surgery. It seems like if I just have one caffeinated drink a day, the headaches do not occur, so I don't have far to go. My PCP is pretty cool about everything and has had to jump through a lot of hoops to help be get approved by insurance. I currently take a mild dose of anti depressant, and last week, he suggested I consider increasing my dose until at least 60 days or so after the surgery. He has 3 other patients who have had recent surgeries and the depression afterwards is pretty common. I took his advice and increased the dosage. I'm sure it will help when I go through that stage of not feeling well afterwards and coping with the life changes. I'll try and check in during the chat tonight and thanks again to everyone for their replies. You all are awesome! Lee Ann

I feel for you Leann, I am a smoker and having the thought of giving up both food and smokes ...Oh my i should warn my family to go on a extened vacation....LOL.. wish you luck with it. (((hugs))) Misty