Anyone dealt with caffeine withdrawal?

[reb38]

I went on a 3 day backpacking trip with no coffee/caffiene. At then end I had an awful headache and my ears were ringing. Got home and the headaches were still so severe. I was advised to take Tylenol; didm’t do shit. Took aspirin; didn’t do shit. I did get a pain reliever shot at urgent care. That did work but only for several hours. The doctor agreed most likely caffeine withdrawal.

So is this just a thing I have to wait out? If I can just get a time frame of it passing/knowing this headache will run its course.

 

[ageingpartyfiend]

headache is reaction to the removal of caffeine's vascoconstrictive effects iirc - it's always better to taper but you have found that out the tricky way now sounds like

when my ex stopped after decades of use she had on/off bad headaches for around a week, what helped her was cannabis, occasional diazepam and icepacks. She felt much better energy-level wise after quitting the caffeine though (she was on about 10 strong coffees a day though)

 

[F.U.B.A.R.]

I've found that caffeine withdrawal can be effectively countered with vodka.

And vice versa...

 

[reb38]

headache is reaction to the removal of caffeine's vascoconstrictive effects iirc - it's always better to taper but you have found that out the tricky way now sounds like

when my ex stopped after decades of use she had on/off bad headaches for around a week, what helped her was cannabis, occasional diazepam and icepacks. She felt much better energy-level wise after quitting the caffeine though (she was on about 10 strong coffees a day though)

I have klonopin. Should I try that?

 

[Leodaris]

I used to be a heavy mountain dew drinker back in high school. I decided to stop drinking soda and within a few days I had the worst headache ever. It lasted a long ass time, too. I didn't put two-and-two together until years later.

I would definitely recommend gradually decreasing your consumption. Best of luck in recovery.

 

[AngelsandFairiesarereal]

Yea I’m a coffee drinker & was having stomach issues a little while back so stopped drinking it for a couple days and started getting headaches. I started drinking the coffee again and the headache went away. I also get migraines and one of my old migraine meds actually had caffeine in it.

Anyways, yea if I were you I’d give it a try & take half a klonopin with ibuprofen or Tylenol or something, and stay hydrated. It might help

 

[ageingpartyfiend]

Plenty hydration for sure

Are you planning to stay stopped, caffeine-wise?

 

[paltatomate]

Lots of cold medications have caffeine in them. So if you want to go caffeine free, be sure not to take any such medication to combat the headache.
As for the Klonopin, depends on how you react to benzos in general. I can take clona to combat painlike discomfort, which is mostly due to muscle tension and/or bad posture. It never helped with headaches I had from let's s say a blow, or a cold.
You might get drowsy/sleepy from the Klonopin, though. Also depending on how you react to it. But I guess you know that since you got them for a reason.

 

[Psycho_Logic]

It's funny how many people underestimate legal drugs. I was one of them before I tried to stop caffeine. Never did cause I "found" articles claiming how coffee is good for this and that. Discarded all that claimed the contrary... Little bias goes a long way.

 

[paltatomate]

It's funny how many people underestimate legal drugs. I was one of them before I tried to stop caffeine. Never did cause I "found" articles claiming how coffee is good for this and that. Discarded all that claimed the contrary... Little bias goes a long way.

It all depends on how much you consume.
Goes for alcohol, or coffee, or citrus fruits.

 

[Psycho_Logic]

I've ditched cigarettes before and coffee reminded me too much. Said to myself "I'll ditch the coffee also... " but had to go back to caffeine pills. I take 400-600mg daily. I guess it is not a large dose but for me it was a pain to endure. Plus I take 300mg morphine daily (doctors orders) so it's a useful substance.

 

[someguyontheinternet]

This might be a bit late and I also assume that you know this.

If what someone has is caffeine withdrawal, the quickest way to make this go away is to have about half of your normal dose. Basically trace amounts of caffeine will make it go away.

I was about to suggest this! If I'm trying to cut back sometimes I'll start getting a headache before bed. Tiny bit of caffeine and I can sleep easier, I usually don't get a headache the next day if I keep the dose low too

 

[Pissed_and_messed]

I've found that caffeine withdrawal can be effectively countered with vodka.

And vice versa...

this is actually for some reason very effective! I guess if you have oral fixation like I do, few days of alcohol use can get me over it, like, I barely need to even focus on the process, it just happens! There are ofc obvious issues with this...

Gordonliddy is correct too.

 

[MedicinalUser247]

I've been drinking coffee sense I was five. I don't ever really remember being without caffeine. That's probably why I start every day with six cups of coffee.