Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Caffeine withdrawal, day 1

Even though I'm not sure I trust my doctor's recommendation about giving up caffeine, I figured it was worth a try, so this morning I made coffee for B but didn't drink my usual half cup. I did, however, stop at my favorite breakfast taco place on the way home from taking Lily to preschool, and I got a coke and two tacos. A coke has about 1/3 the amount of caffeine of coffee, so I figured drinking half a coke was a good first step in weaning myself.

But no, I currently have a blinding headache. And the Advil the doctor recommended I take for pain? It hasn't even begun to touch it. I think it may have even made my headache worse, even though I treated myself an hour-long nap after taking the Advil.

I was able to take the nap because for the first time since December 20, Campbell and I are back to our normal little morning routine. Both girls are back at school - hallelujah! So when I put Campbell down for his nap, I curled up in bed. Unfortunately, Campbell woke up much too soon for my liking; I could have slept another hour.

I'll continue the break-up with caffeine tomorrow by going cold turkey. Today's headache is bad enough that I don't want to prolong the agony any longer than I have to. All I can say is this better be worth it! I'd better not have another migraine for months.

5 comments:

Barb Matijevich said...

Oh my gosh, I think I would die. DIE I tell you. I'm proud of you.

Barb

Damsel said...

I'll be totally impressed when you give it up. TOTALLY. IMPRESSED. I gave it up during my first trimester when I was pg with Jet, but went back to one coke at lunch every day after that and for the rest of my pregnancy. I could NOT get through my afternoon classes without it (I was teaching at the time). Hopefully, the withdrawal headaches will quit for you in the next day or two.

hokgardner said...

I’ve had migraines since I was 8. I’m well aware of my triggers – red wine (sigh), processed cheese, strawberries (sigh), allergies, lack of sleep, weather changes, etc. If things are going well, I can splurge on one of the triggers without a problem, but if I’m suffering from allergies and over tired AND I drink wine, I'm a goner. My trick is figuring out what my tipping point is - how many triggers can I have stack up before I actually get a migraine. It's a delicate balance, especially since I don't want to give up ALL the fun things in life.

Anonymous said...

I've been off for more than a year and it was worth it. The headaches are tortuous, but just for another day or two. And now I allow myself decaf, which, apparently, has some caffeine but you don't have to admit to it. Also, because you'll feel very righteous for quitting you'll feel totally justified in buying expensive juices and kombucha.

Anonymous said...

Well, speaking of all the fun things in life, and feel free to delete this comment if it's too forward, what about sex? I can't speak from experience with a migraine because I've never had one but I have had very bad headaches and for me, a "happy ending" after a quick little romp, makes the headache all but disappear. Maybe, with a migraine, you couldn't possibly even think about having sex...but there are always those....you know....items...they sell in those....specialty shops....

O.K. I'm blushing now. But, I thought it was worth mentioning.