Question:
I have been addicted to Diet Coke for over 20 years

I have been trying to get off the caffeine since I got my surgery date of December 5th. I am getting such bad headaches. If I wait until my surgery to break the addiction will all the pain meds that I am on help me get through it better or should I get off it now.    — Kathy P. (posted on November 13, 2001)

November 13, 2001
I was addicted to coffee and Diet Coke before surgery. The pain meds took care of any withdrawal symptoms I had while in the hospital and shortly thereafter. I also lost my craving for coffee and Diet Coke after surgery. Coffee just tasted terrible and didn't smell good either. At about six weeks I was finally able to tolerate a little bit of flat Diet Coke and I didn't start drinking coffee again until I was about 9 weeks post-op. As far as whether or not you should get off Diet Coke before surgery, I didn't bother trying to do that and I didn't suffer headaches afterwards. Maybe the pain of my incision was just so much worse than any headache could be that I just didn't feel the headaches. I just know that heacaches were not a factor afterwards.
   — artistmama

November 13, 2001
I know EXACTLY what you are going through. My best friend and I would start the day with coffee and finish the day with coffee... did I mention between the beginning and end of the day, we drank coffee? She can't live without it, and can go to sleep after drinking a pot. Due to the amount of time she and I spent together, my coffee, caffeine went sky high. I am having my surgery on November 16th (3 DAYS AWAY!!! WOO HOO!!!) Two weeks ago, I tried to wean myself off of caffeine, and I didn't think I would survive those morning headaches. They were unbearable, and I could hardly move my head. I decided that instead of going cold turkey, I switched my diet coke to caffeine free diet coke, and started making my pots of coffee half caffeine and half decaf. Until I got used to that, I made sure to drink a cup before bed, so I didn't have the headaches in the morning. After doing this, by the end of one week, the headaches were totally gone. I'm off caffeine. I must tell you though... I'm soooooooooo tired!!!! Good luck! :-)
   — Janet C.

November 13, 2001
Janet has the right idea - wean yourself, at least try, before surgery. Its not good to go cold turkey, I think. Caffine addiction is mostly physical, not so much mental. Headaches and jitteryness (which can cause grumpiness) are the main problems to deal with. I wouldn't want to deal with withdrawl (physiclaly and emotionally) after surgery. IMHO, only caffine fixes a caffine withdrawl headache. Demerol didn't work for me after an emergency appy. a few years back. I was a DC addict for about 15 years, at least 3 a day, usually 5 or 6 during the work week. Cut back on the number, over a week or 2 till you are down to your favorite one (like the morning one). Drink LOTS of water instead. You will miss it, then it will go away. I got off it 2 months prior to surgery - now if I have a sip, it tastes like battery acid. All soda does. Soda is REALLY bad for you. It depletes calcium, it is acidic, and triggers sweets cravings (even diet). You can DO IT.
   — M. A. B.

November 13, 2001
Kathy, I was a 20+ year addict of Diet Pepsi. I didn't think I would be able to stop drinking it. I too, got the terrible caffiene withdrawal headaches. I started drinking caffiene Free and took ADVIL MIGRAINE, it contains no caffeine, unlike the other migraine medicines. I had to take it for 4 days and then my headaches were gone. Now I am working on drinking more water rather than the carbonated crap. Good Luck Missy- surgery date Dec. 6th.
   — Missy M.

November 13, 2001
I'm almost 8 weeks post-op and I was seriously addicted to Diet Coke. I'd drink at least 6 a day. First thing in the morning to the last thing at night. I drank my DC until the night before surgery. It was the last thing I drank the night before. I haven't had one since. I think the pain meds helped take care of any side affects I had from coming off the caffiene. I still miss it A LOT, especially since they came out with the Diet Coke with Lemon...I never got to try it! However, losing the weight is much more important to me. Good luck!
   — Kelley S.

October 9, 2002
I too was a Diet Coke aholic. I drank it till the last night before surgery. I was afraid of caffeine withdrawal, but I guess with the pain medicine I had no symptoms like headaches or anything. Since surgery (3mo) I haven't had or wanted any. So drink away while you can!
   — Heather W.