My Morning Jacket

Off-Topic => Off-Topic Ramblings => Topic started by: ycartrob on Mar 03, 2009, 02:56 PM

Title: Quitting coffee
Post by: ycartrob on Mar 03, 2009, 02:56 PM
So, I am quitting coffee. I am going on a Vision Quest in southern Utah in June, which involves 3 days of fasting, so, I don't want to go through caffiene withdrawals in such a beautiful and spiritual setting.

When I quit smoking in 90, I did it cold turkey and it was the hardest thing I ever quit (I quit drinking in 89).

Caffiene is a 25 year addiction and I have cut down to 2 cups, from 4-5 (as of yesterday) and the headaches are just no fun.   :'(

Any advice other than to suffer through it? I do have some oxychodone left over from my root canal in October...  ::)
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: Taterbug on Mar 03, 2009, 03:15 PM
The headaches should only last 2 weeks.  I stopped drinking coffee for a while and it helped that I drank weak tea once a day to curb the DT's until I was no longer chemically dependent.

You are the master if you can stop drinkin & smokin within  a year span.  Coffee should be NO problem for you.  
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: capt. scotty on Mar 03, 2009, 03:23 PM
drink Red Bull instead of coffee to get yourself off the bean
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: primushead on Mar 03, 2009, 03:29 PM
Nah, just listen to Boris.
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: megalicious on Mar 03, 2009, 03:55 PM
Quote
When I quit smoking in 90, I did it cold turkey and it was the hardest thing I ever quit (I quit drinking in 89).

Today is my 4th day without a cigarette. I am really trying to quit for good this time, and it is tough. I have bad headaches and feel really irritable. I  never realized just how dependent I was on nicotine.
:o
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: TEO on Mar 03, 2009, 03:58 PM
Switch to tea. That is what I did about a month ago and it has been fine with no headache etc. I am not nearly as dehydrated as well.
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: aMillionDreams on Mar 03, 2009, 04:00 PM
Caffiene should be a breeze to quite after successfully quitting cigarettes and alcohol.  Just have to deal with some headaches and exhaustion.  You'll probably be a little cranky, so maybe stay off the boards for a little while.  ;)  

I haven't had a cup of coffee in years and I don't miss it one bit.
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: el_chode on Mar 03, 2009, 04:11 PM
They say coffee is one of those things that you have to commit too...you're healthier either not doing it or always doing it, unless you have a bad heart.

With that said, I have on my worst days something close to 8 cups. I also go some days without even thinking about it.

I find that when I do, substituting anything to satisfy the mental/physical routine works

For example, OJ does the same for me when I'm out of coffee.
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: mjkoehler on Mar 03, 2009, 07:43 PM
QuoteSwitch to tea. That is what I did about a month ago and it has been fine with no headache etc. I am not nearly as dehydrated as well.
Did this almost 2 years ago. No headaches, my tum tum wasn't hurting as much, more relaxed, and my urine quite looking like French's Mustard. Typically now I drink black teas like a good English or Irish Breakfest blend or Earl Grey. I can forgo tea for a few days and no headache. It really only took me days to switch over. I was going through a 3 lb bag of beans in a week by myself, so I was slighty addicted.
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: meggha on Mar 03, 2009, 09:24 PM
most definitely switch to tea. i switch back and forth between coffee and tea, and but tea is usually better because it's not acidic and doesn't dehydrate.
and, as everyone else as already said, if you can quit smoking and drinking, you can quit coffee.
good luck!
;)
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: Soulshine on Mar 04, 2009, 03:41 PM
Just quit. If you fill the void with something else its just delaying what your goal is. Do it cold turkey. The headaches wont last too long. Drink lots of water to help flush yourself out.
I just went through a 12 day fast. The 1st three days are the hardest. I had 1 day of a wretched migraine, but that was it. Once you get past the 3rd day, you'll probably find you can go longer. After my fast I considered going longer as it would have been very easy. Your mind will be clear, you will have lots of energy and I'm sure you will have an amazing experience.
Cold turkey (in my experience) is the only way to quit anything.
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: ycartrob on Mar 04, 2009, 04:01 PM
Quote
Cold turkey (in my experience) is the only way to quit anything.

agree. I am getting soft in my old age...
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: Taterbug on Mar 04, 2009, 04:09 PM
Quote
Quote
Cold turkey (in my experience) is the only way to quit anything.

agree. I am getting soft in my old age...

Did you crush up and snort the oxychodone to get thru the day today ?
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: ycartrob on Mar 04, 2009, 04:12 PM
Quote
Quote
Quote
Cold turkey (in my experience) is the only way to quit anything.

agree. I am getting soft in my old age...

Did you crush up and snort the oxychodone to get thru the day today ?

not yet; that's my emergency stash, for emergencies
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: Jon T. on Mar 04, 2009, 07:02 PM
The peyote should take your mind off of the caffeine withdrawals.  :D
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: Vadie Stark on Mar 05, 2009, 12:27 PM
Tracy,
Good luck with your Mormon quest
I heard they frown on coffee out there.
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: ycartrob on Mar 05, 2009, 12:46 PM
QuoteTracy,
Good luck with your Mormon quest
I heard they frown on coffee out there.

ehhh, this isn't that. Where I'm going there won't really be anyone else.
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: Vadie Stark on Mar 05, 2009, 12:59 PM
Quote
QuoteTracy,
Good luck with your Mormon quest
I heard they frown on coffee out there.

ehhh, this isn't that. Where I'm going there won't really be anyone else.

my mistake..  at least those two guys on bikes wont be there

let us on on any visions
if you can Carlos.

Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: pawpaw on Mar 05, 2009, 01:06 PM
Quote
Quote
QuoteTracy,
Good luck with your Mormon quest
I heard they frown on coffee out there.

ehhh, this isn't that. Where I'm going there won't really be anyone else.

my mistake..  at least those two guys on bikes wont be there

let us on on any visions
if you can Carlos.


Man, I loved those books as a teenager, had a real impact....that was probably part of the problem  :D

*takes sip of coffee*
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: Vadie Stark on Mar 05, 2009, 01:19 PM
Quote
Quote
Quote
QuoteTracy,
Good luck with your Mormon quest
I heard they frown on coffee out there.

ehhh, this isn't that. Where I'm going there won't really be anyone else.

my mistake..  at least those two guys on bikes wont be there

let us on on any visions
if you can Carlos.


Man, I loved those books as a teenager, had a real impact....that was probably part of the problem  :D

*takes sip of coffee*


yeah me too


*finds spot on porch*


Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: red on Mar 26, 2009, 11:05 PM
Tracy, how goes the battle?

I really want one of these:
(http://store.theonion.com/img/uploads/527)
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: ycartrob on Mar 27, 2009, 12:45 AM
QuoteTracy, how goes the battle?

I really want one of these:
(http://store.theonion.com/img/uploads/527)

I had an emergency and had to jump back in.

I'm going cold turkey April 1; seems to be an appropriate date
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: TheBigChicken on Mar 27, 2009, 09:26 AM
Ginseng has a nice "jump-start" in the morning.... :o
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: Vadie Stark on Mar 27, 2009, 10:36 AM
where are you on this chart?(http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu312/edtombell/071203_coffee.jpg?t=1238164449)
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: ycartrob on Mar 27, 2009, 10:37 AM
Quotewhere are you on this chart?(http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu312/edtombell/071203_coffee.jpg?t=1238164449)

2 cups a day Skip James
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: Vadie Stark on Mar 27, 2009, 10:49 AM
Quote
Quotewhere are you on this chart?(http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu312/edtombell/071203_coffee.jpg?t=1238164449)

2 cups a day Skip James
Here's to ya!!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytVww5r4Nk0
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: LizKing531 on Mar 27, 2009, 01:00 PM
Yerba Mate - I stopped drinking coffee recently, as well.  (Well, I'll have a cup maybe once every 2 weeks)  Mate has similar properties as green tea, but more earthy flavor than more, plus a bit more kick (not entirely from caffeine though - antioxidants and other randomness).  If nothing else, it really helps bridge that gap between tea & coffee.  
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: mjkoehler on Mar 27, 2009, 01:39 PM
QuoteYerba Mate - I stopped drinking coffee recently, as well.  (Well, I'll have a cup maybe once every 2 weeks)  Mate has similar properties as green tea, but more earthy flavor than more, plus a bit more kick (not entirely from caffeine though - antioxidants and other randomness).  If nothing else, it really helps bridge that gap between tea & coffee.  
How's your appitite? YM has app suppressant qualities supposedly.
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: Vadie Stark on Mar 28, 2009, 08:46 AM
lotta songs about coffee    here's one:
http://www.coffeeworksdesign.com/music/Mississippi_John_Hurt-Coffee_Blues.mp3
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: LizKing531 on Mar 28, 2009, 11:07 AM
Quote
QuoteYerba Mate - I stopped drinking coffee recently, as well.  (Well, I'll have a cup maybe once every 2 weeks)  Mate has similar properties as green tea, but more earthy flavor than more, plus a bit more kick (not entirely from caffeine though - antioxidants and other randomness).  If nothing else, it really helps bridge that gap between tea & coffee.  
How's your appitite? YM has app suppressant qualities supposedly.

Hmmm - I guess I haven't really noticed.  I usually have a pretty small appetite to start with.
Title: Re: Quitting coffee
Post by: ms. yvon on Apr 03, 2009, 02:29 AM
tracy, i'm a big fan of coffee.   a few years ago my doctor recommended that i have ingest less caffeine.

so, when i made coffee at home i mixed decaf into the regular caff coffee, gradually increasing the decaf to regular ratio.  i took about a month to do it.

worked fab!  no headaches, no grumpiness, etc.  

side note:  last december i ran out of decaf and started just drinking the full caff coffee that i had in my cupboard.  one month ago i decided i wanted my mellow mornings back and have been brewing the decaf again.

also:  am not a "cold turkey" detractor, if it's a good m.o. for you, rad!