I got the headaches pretty badly, as advertised, within the first week, lasting for about five days. But after that, I must say things have been better. My sleeping pattern hasn't miraculously fixed itself, but I find it easier overall to get to sleep. Getting up... well that depends what time I went to bed, so, as I say, the lack of coffee didn't fix that - I need to do that 'bit'. But the tiredness I feel isn't usually so absolute, and the energy I have [if any] is somehow more stable...
Of course I really miss the taste and the reckless derring-do you feel when you order that tenth coffee of the day, giving a non-peaceful two-fingered salute to the establishment and all other 'suits'. But, unlike with alcohol, the social side is not hampered. If I'm meeting someone at a cafe, I now enjoy some crazy fruit tea-type things [quite like minty ones, actually] - don't make no difference to me.
So I guess the whole reason I'm writing this is just to spread the word. I know it's a dull thing to do [as is any diet, or just anything that helps really. How fun are burgers, beer and basting random passers-by with Marmite? None of those things help anyone particularly, but we sure crave them], but hey, you never know 'til you give it a go [please excuse the rhyme].
Peace and love x
When I was undergoing fertility treatments, one of the first things they told me to do was give up caffeine. It was extremely difficult. I am a coffee freak! Even my blog title says it all. But I was desperate to get knocked up, so I gave up possibly the one liquid thing that gave me any pleasure. I suffered immensely, for about a month of so, from caffeine withdrawals. Headaches, rage, and overall discontent with life. I was, to put it mildly, a caffeine-less bitch. In the end, I still didn't get knocked up, but after I was able to get over the painful withdrawals, I found that I did indeed sleep better and that my body stopped needing the caffeine to kick-start myself in the morning. Although I have stopped fertility treatments, I decided to not take up caffeine again. I miss the taste of it, so I do still drink coffee daily, but decaffeinated. I know that there are still trace amounts of caffeine in so-called decaffeinated drinks, but I figure that is the best I can do.
ReplyDeleteI know it doesn't seem like much after your sacrifice, but at least there are positives to the withdrawal.
DeleteI recently tried my first decaf coffee. It's just not the same but, as you rightly say, the best we can do!
It's actually the second time I have given it up. I did it once before a few years ago for Lent. I think it was easier then because I knew that it was only for forty days. This last time, it was for an indefinite period of time. Currently, I am probably on my ninth month of being [almost - because of the decaf] caffeine free.
DeleteThat's a very long time - well done for keeping it up :)
DeleteI go through phases of caffeine detoxes, past few weeks it's been red bull for breakfast - no joke.
ReplyDeleteNow I just try to moderate it - because I do like a nice coffee but try to have a no caffeine after 6pm rule and make sure I am having some quality sleep. Slowly getting there!
That's a good rule to have, I hope you keep up with it and it serves you well :)
DeleteI'm thinking of writing a bit of a follow up on some of the other benefits - for example my moods are more stable too.