So every year or two I have a phase where I just want some caffeine. It's either because I want to stay up late and play a video game or I just want the buzz that comes with a good caffeine high. So I'll go get a 12 pack of diet coke and within a day or two it'll be gone. This usually gives me the fun weekend without the severe problems that comes with prolonged use. Granted I'm sure I'm not doing my system any favors by making it process 12 diet cokes in 36 hours but what's life for if not to test the limits of your liver and kidneys.
The past 3 weeks have been a little over the top as I got three 24 packs. Damn those really cheap offers! It's all over now and I get to blog about it. I really should have started this blog 3 weeks ago but there is always next time.
You may wonder at my choice of diet coke. Let me explain, if I have more than 12 ounces of regular soda without a lot of food I get such stomach pains that I can't move. This is basically why I had to quit mountain dew. I have no idea what terrible permanent destruction I've done to my stomach but what's done is done.
Friday, February 29, 2008
The Dismal First Day
I'm on my second full day without caffeine, basically 30 hours since I've had a diet coke. My body is very tired, I feel a little body sore and I have a caffeine headache. I should also throw in there that it's hard to concentrate which makes writing this coherently a little difficult. Let me take a little time and give you a little background.
I'm 31 and have had problems with caffeine since high school/college. That's not surprising, I'd imagine most people get addicted about that time. It's not really a big deal and I probably averaged 40 - 60 ounces of mountain dew a day. I finally decided to quit and switched to coffee then quit cold turkey my last year of college.
That first time quiting was miserable but it actually didn't last that long and after about 2 weeks you forget you ever needed coffee in the first place. The problem is that two weeks can be a horrible experience. If you can't quit cold turkey I think it's almost impossible to quit, at least for me.
Quitting cold turkey requires that you can endure being tired during the day, with a headache and slight flu symptoms. It really peaks about 24-36 hours after your last drink and then you slowly get better for the next 2 weeks. I quit on a Thursday so by Friday night I just went to bed at 7pm. I played video games Saturday and Sunday when I wasn't napping and by Monday I was able to survive work/school. Though that week I had a tough time staying awake in class.
I'm 31 and have had problems with caffeine since high school/college. That's not surprising, I'd imagine most people get addicted about that time. It's not really a big deal and I probably averaged 40 - 60 ounces of mountain dew a day. I finally decided to quit and switched to coffee then quit cold turkey my last year of college.
That first time quiting was miserable but it actually didn't last that long and after about 2 weeks you forget you ever needed coffee in the first place. The problem is that two weeks can be a horrible experience. If you can't quit cold turkey I think it's almost impossible to quit, at least for me.
Quitting cold turkey requires that you can endure being tired during the day, with a headache and slight flu symptoms. It really peaks about 24-36 hours after your last drink and then you slowly get better for the next 2 weeks. I quit on a Thursday so by Friday night I just went to bed at 7pm. I played video games Saturday and Sunday when I wasn't napping and by Monday I was able to survive work/school. Though that week I had a tough time staying awake in class.
Obligatory Purpose Statement
I wanted to create a blog with some posts about my experience with caffeine withdrawal in hopes it'll help people as they get off the drug. With luck it'll be at least kind of interesting to read.
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