Caffeine, Why I Quit!
I LOVE the rich, bold, creamy taste of dark roast organic coffee. I love how the intense smell wakes up my senses in the morning, especially if I have a wakeful sleep. I love the ritual of watching the coffee grinds slowly drip into my mug, then sitting down, and enjoying sip after sip while Emma and I play together or we get organized for the day. I love the burst of energy the caffeine gives me to help me make it through the day as a solo mama / biz owner living with fibro.
For most of my career in HR and when Emma was a baby, I was drinking two to three cups per day. When you live with fibromyalgia, you look for anything to increase that energy, and caffeine is an easy go-to.
One morning, as I was making my cup of coffee, I noticed I was running low on grinds. I made a mental note to add coffee to my grocery list, but I stopped myself. For the first time in my life (other than my pregnancy with Emma) I was going to give up coffee, and for good (hopefully haha).
Although I had reduced my coffee intake to one single 6oz cup of organic coffee for a few months, it was time to part ways. I was starting to notice that even that one single cup of coffee was leaving me with adverse side effects, and I didn't feel the caffeine was worth it anymore.
I gave up my daily cup of deliciously addictive coffee because for some, caffeine can:
Throw off blood pressure
Increase the heart rate
Make it more difficult to fall asleep at night
Contribute to indigestion / heartburn
Increase feelings of stress
Cause nausea
Throw off blood sugar levels
Contribute to constipation (because it’s dehydrating)
Reduce the appetite, therefore, reducing the nutrient intake needed for fibromyalgia symptom reduction
Cause nutrient depletion and interferes with the absorption of important nutrients for fibromyalgia, such as calcium, iron, magnesium and B vitamins
If you’re feeling any of the negative side effects above from caffeine, and think you would benefit from either reducing it or removing it from your routine to help improve your fibromyalgia symptoms, read on to hear how my experience went!
Day 1 - I am fatigued & experiencing headaches:
At first I’m doing well. I feel positive about my decision to quit drinking coffee. I replace my morning coffee with herbal tea and a green smoothie. Later in the day, I feel fatigued. I don’t have that energy rush from the caffeine: quite the opposite actually, I experience an energy slump at 2pm and need a nap by 3pm, which I don’t take because I do NOT nap! While out running errands, I see a “Starbucks” coffee shop and begin to realize how they are on EVERY SINGLE CORNER! No wonder it can be difficult to quit this habit. At 9pm my headache begins, I assume from the caffeine withdrawal. I fall asleep late but within 30 minutes.
Day 2 - I am tired, fatigued, have chills and a headache:
These withdrawal symptoms are intense. I spend most of the day on the couch reading (Emma was not with me that day, I timed this appropriately) due to fatigue, chills, and a headache. I grab a piece of dark chocolate (yes, it still contained caffeine lol) as a pick me up instead of the coffee.
Day 3 - I am stiff & achy, have a migraine, nausea & chills:
I’m used to being stiff and achy from my fibromyalgia, and this almost feels like a fibromyalgia flare. I am more hungry in the morning than usual. I have a headache that lasts for most of the day and eventually it turns into a migraine with nausea. I have chills and feel tired. I notice my blood pressure and heart issues subside. I don’t feel the need for coffee and I’m not really craving it.
Day 4 - My sleep improves:
I had a deep sleep last night (these are rare!) and I don’t feel the need for coffee upon waking. I feel sore and stiff but not as much as the past few days. I have chills and a mild headache. I crave the taste of coffee in the afternoon. I debate grabbing a coffee while out but decide not to.
Day 5 - I feel less pain, fatigue and stiffness & my sleep quality improves:
I had a good, long, deep sleep but wake up feeling exhausted. I feel less pain, fatigue and stiffness. I want a coffee desperately in the morning to wake up, but I don’t cave. My headache is back again.
Day 6 - I have a headache, chills, but increased energy:
I wake up and almost make a cup of coffee but then I think of the health benefits I’ve experienced, and decide not to.
I have a mild headache and chills. I don’t have any heart issues.
Day 7 - I’m tired and I might cave:
I am tired, I NEED caffeine. I won’t cave. Ahhhhhh my body needs a pick me up! I think to myself “How can I survive without it?! Is this worth it?!”
Day 8 - I’m over the hump:
I have a good sleep. I don’t feel the need for or want a coffee. I have more energy once I finish my smoothie, jam packed with vitamins and minerals but still generally feel fatigued and sluggish. I think I’m over the hump now (withdrawal symptoms usually last anywhere from 2-10 days).
Day 9 - I’m daydreaming of fancy coffee:
I miss my coffee! I miss the taste! I begin to imagine fancy cappuccinos and French pressed coffee while chatting with a friend. Yummmmmm.
Then, I begin to think of the positives: my sleep has improved, my headaches are basically gone, my heart isn’t racing, and my BP feels normal. I’ll take the low energy in exchange for all of those positives.
Day 10 - My BP is normal:
My BP is normal, BUT my energy SUCKS.
Day 11 - My mind is clear:
I feel better. I am still fatigued but my fibro pain is a bit better. My sleep is better. No issues with my BP or heart racing.
Day 14 - I’m getting the hang of this new routine:
I have adjusted to my new morning, coffee-less routine. I’m missing the taste but meh, I will survive. I have a piece of dark chocolate instead if I feel the need :) All of my withdrawal symptoms have eased up and the negative effects I was experiencing from the caffeine have vanished. I’m feeling hopeful.
Day 30 - Let my coffee free life begin:
It’s been a month since I took my last sip of velvety smooth organic coffee and I cannot believe how different I feel, both mentally and physically, SO much better! I’ve found other more natural ways of improving / increasing my energy, and keeping it steady throughout the day.
Although I really miss coffee, especially the mornings when I haven’t slept well, but the health benefits I’ve experienced outweigh missing the caffeine. Every time I think of making myself a cup of coffee, I think of all of my symptoms that have improved, and how much better I feel now, and will feel later too. I am fully committed to leaving coffee out of my routine for as long as I possibly can!
After quitting coffee for 30 days, here’s a summary of what I noticed:
First, the positives:
I am calmer
My mind feels clearer
I feel less irritable
I am more hydrated
I have increased hunger
I have gained weight
My sleep has improved
My heart doesn't flutter or race
My blood pressure is normal
I have fewer episodes of indigestion
My cupboard is full of every organic herbal tea you can think of, tea party anyone?
My update after nine months:
I indulge in a cup of coffee once a month if that, and I immediately notice how it affects me: I get a burst of energy, my heart rate increases, and I feel a bit irritable and anxious. I lose my appetite, later in the day I notice that it messes with my blood sugar levels and I can’t sleep at night. I tend to put the “increased energy” to good use and get a lot done that day, ha.
Staying off coffee has improved my fatigue. When I wake up in the morning I reach for a cup of herbal tea, bone broth or a smoothie instead, and sometimes when I’m craving something fancy, I’ll make a turmeric latte.
You can quit too!
If you feel like caffeine is negatively affecting your health it may not hurt to try cutting back / removing it. You likely won’t regret it! If you need my support with this, feel free to contact me.
Cheers to leading a thriving life!
Alexis Tanner | RHN
The Nutritionist Mama
*Disclaimer - this is my own personal experience and not medical advice.