Caffeine and soft drinks which is easier to give upt?

PNH requires that I give up caffeine and carbonated beverages before surgery. I also have to quit chewing gum and using a straw. I understand the need for everything except the gum. But that is minor Diet Dr.Pepper is my main source of caffeine, giving up coffee is not an issue my DP is. What is easier going cold turkey or gradual? I have 4 week til surgery A friend of mine was going thru caffeine withdrawal after surgery something I want to avoid.

I think it just depends on the person. I'm a cold turkey person. I quit drinking alcohol in January of 2005, quick smoking in March of 2005, and caffeine shortly there after. The only suggestion I have is to have to keep alot of headache medicine around. Everyone is different though. Amber

Thanks for your input. How are you feeling now? I gave up alcohol years ago and sugar went away 2 years ago when the diabetes showed up so it is down to caffeine and diet dr. pepper. I figured I could cold turkey the DP's and switch to tea then slowly decaffeinate the tea. Have you tried green tea? The diet Lipton Green tea mixed berry is pretty good. Green tea has less caffeine but it can cause bladder spasms and if you have the urge incontinence that can be a pain. I just had bladder surgery in March to correct the stress incontinence but still struggle with the other even on Detrol.

I feel damn good, actually. I never realized how much weight soda & alcohol put on. I do not drink tea at this point. It's something I always wished I could, but my taste buds weren't having it. They've changed considerably over the years and even more after this surgery, so I'm hoping to try it again in the near future. It would be great to order something besides water every now and then! Hope its working out for you! Amber

I gave up caffeine immediately after my PNH seminar. I switched to a non-caffeine soda (Sprite, Sierra Mist, noncaf Coke). Then I started redusincgt he amounts of soda I drank. What I learned was that it was NOT the caffeine I was addicted to. It was the sugar and that lovely carbonation! The only diet drinks I drink are non-carbonated and caffeine free like Wyler's, Crystal Lite, and especially Minute Maid Lemonade Light (which you can get in a can). Since your Diet Dr. Pepper has no sugar, I think if you reduced your drinks for the first couple weeks then cut them out completely, you'll have an easier time than I did. You may find though that drinking them is more a habit and you miss the bubbles! I had a horrible time the last two weeks without soda. Im now a week post-op and just this morning my mother and I realized I have not mentioned or missed soda AT ALL since surgery. I think doing a gradual give up and then giving myself two weeks free of it was the perfect way to do it.

Hi Jenny, I gradually switched from leaded Diet Pepsi to the decaf kind for a few weeks before surgery, so I wouldn't miss the caffiene. Then after surgery, I didn't have a craving for any kind of soda, which was surprising because before surgery, I always had one going. It was more a habit than anything else. As for gum, I was told that some people swallow gum, even if it's accidental. After surgery, swallowed gum could cause major problems with blocking the stoma (new exit from your pouch to the small intestines). Good luck, Carole

Thanks for the reply. I am going to try and switch to tea and then decaffeinate it. I like tea ok but diet DP is my morning coffee has been since HS. Actually in HS it was regular DP but I have done the diet for years now. Tea makes my teeth feel hairy. Ugh. Have you tried green tea?

I just gradually stopped drinking Diet Mountain Dew and have not even craved it for 5 months since surgery...... I was sure I would have a really hard time but I didn't. I know someone who swallowed a large piece of gum and they had to open her up to remove it as she could not swallow - even liquids - it got completely stuck. So that was enough for me to not touch it again!! Good luck on the caffeine headache - if you do it gradually you won't have much of one.... Jackie

Oh wow ...What number are you? I was number 236 but in stead of waiting I switched to Tricare Standard and had it done. You can do it !!! I would just go cold turkey !! You will be a you know what for a few days but then it will be done !! Good luck to you and keep us up to date !!! Dana