Google wasn't much help here. Some background: I've been working on losing weight the past six months (I'm 6'1", went from 230lbs to 198lbs so far, goal is 175lbs!), and now I think to go any further I'm going to have to cut soda out of my diet entirely.
The problem is that I need a way to stave off the caffeine-withdrawal headaches I get when I go more than 24 hours or so without caffeine. I've never been a big fan of coffee.
So I thought I'd try caffeine pills out. Both times I've taken them now, I've thrown up shortly after consuming one pill (200mg NoDoz tablet). My throat feels constricted and my stomach churns after taking one. I've been taking them with milk so far, and I'm wondering if that might be the problem, if it might be a better idea to just take them with water or something else. I tried looking using Google to see if anyone else had similar problems with caffeine pills and milk, but was unable to find anything.
So, anyone have a similar experience with them in the past, or know of someone who did? I'm almost ready to just give up and try to force myself to like coffee.
I knew people that took caffeine pills, but I'm not sure if they took them in any special way. Maybe you should become a fan of coffee or tea now, though.
Coffee is definitely a developed taste, but it's better than caffeine headaches. Tea is also a good suggestion; you can cold-brew it by the pitcher, just put like 5 tea bags in and leave it overnight.
It's pretty tough to get a caffeine addiction from drinking soda, and your reaction to the caffeine pills somewhat confirms that. You sure it isn't something to do with your blood sugar levels (or lack thereof) from stopping soda consumption?
I think theres gum you could chew to get your caffeine, although i think it would be easier to treat your headaches instead, that way you'd eliminate that addiction ;P
shit thats crazy. maybe take aspirin or something. wtf try just drinking less and less sofft drinks? i'm sure soft drinks isn't the only culprit for increasing your weight right, unless you've been constantly drinking gallons and gallons of it. what about the rest of your diet?
OK well- medical person here so this is what i have to say-
1. Milk will help to sooth the stomach, and taking them with milk can be a good thing. However milk is not something you should be drinking when you are trying to lose weight, unless it's skim. And no i don't think that milk would have any contraindications with caffeine pills.
2. Caffeine does not cause physical dependence, in fact it's just mental so the 'withdrawal' is really very minor and it would be far easier on you and your body to just cold turkey caffeine.
3. if you don't want to cold turkey- then i would simply suggest buying a 75% and up dark chocolate bar, and eat a bit here and there when your head aches begin. Chocolate that has a high % of coca beans is good for you, and contains caffeine. Also Tea would be a great choice! Eating caffeine pills is not going to wean you off the stuff, i would suggest doing something like the above.
I don't think its a true caffeine addiction... but whether it is or not... pills are not the way to go. Just replace it with tea/coffee or something similar. Try to stay away from sugary drinks though... might be some of the problem to begin with
On November 07 2009 11:34 Physician wrote: either your 12 years old giant or you're heading straight for a Darwin award..
I would be pretty impressed with myself if I managed to kill myself from caffeine overdosing. I remember reading that you need some seriously crazy doses to come close to having life-threatening problems from caffeine.
Caffeinated gum sounds like a good idea. My friend is in the military and he gave me some of the caffeinated cinnamon gum they use there once, it's completely revolting and the aftertaste stays in your mouth no matter how much you try to wash it out. I'm sure there are some civilian versions that have acceptable taste, though. Maybe I'll try out that Jolt gum.
ohh and about head aches- for christ sake stop being a baby and just take a freaking anti-inflammatory and get over it. I drink espresso all of the time- and when i don't i get the 'headaches' but come on now- there is no way you can even think of comparing this to withdrawal lol
Just take ibuprofen 2 pills 4 times a day. And if you need to get to sleep take something with pesudophedrine (anti-histamine) in it. It will help you get to sleep, and you should be good. Stop being a baby.
On November 07 2009 11:44 Misrah wrote: ohh and about head aches- for christ sake stop being a baby and just take a freaking anti-inflammatory and get over it. I drink espresso all of the time- and when i don't i get the 'headaches' but come on now- there is no way you can even think of comparing this to withdrawal lol
Just take ibuprofen 2 pills 4 times a day. And if you need to get to sleep take something with pesudophedrine (anti-histamine) in it. It will help you get to sleep, and you should be good. Stop being a baby.
Alright, so 'withdrawal' was too strong a word, but when you're swamped by midterms in hard classes and working part-time, it's still a bitch to have a throbbing headache all day.
I guess I'll just try caffeinated gum for now, and try just stopping entirely once Thanksgiving break arrives.
On November 07 2009 11:51 Misrah wrote: wait so your are taking caffeinated gum, and throwing a kid who is in nurse anesthetist schools advice out the window lol..........
Relax, I'll take your advice and just ride out the headaches over Thanksgiving break. I appreciate the advice, no need to jump down my throat.
i take caffeine pills sometimes, to do homework or study longer. it's far less of an addiction than drinking a cup of coffee every morning, and far less scary than ritalin. also some crazy percent of north americans have caffeine dependancies anway.
On November 07 2009 11:39 Misrah wrote: OK well- medical person here so this is what i have to say-
1. Milk will help to sooth the stomach, and taking them with milk can be a good thing. However milk is not something you should be drinking when you are trying to lose weight, unless it's skim. And no i don't think that milk would have any contraindications with caffeine pills.
2. Caffeine does not cause physical dependence, in fact it's just mental so the 'withdrawal' is really very minor and it would be far easier on you and your body to just cold turkey caffeine.
3. if you don't want to cold turkey- then i would simply suggest buying a 75% and up dark chocolate bar, and eat a bit here and there when your head aches begin. Chocolate that has a high % of coca beans is good for you, and contains caffeine. Also Tea would be a great choice! Eating caffeine pills is not going to wean you off the stuff, i would suggest doing something like the above.
On November 07 2009 11:39 Misrah wrote: OK well- medical person here so this is what i have to say-
1. Milk will help to sooth the stomach, and taking them with milk can be a good thing. However milk is not something you should be drinking when you are trying to lose weight, unless it's skim. And no i don't think that milk would have any contraindications with caffeine pills.
2. Caffeine does not cause physical dependence, in fact it's just mental so the 'withdrawal' is really very minor and it would be far easier on you and your body to just cold turkey caffeine.
3. if you don't want to cold turkey- then i would simply suggest buying a 75% and up dark chocolate bar, and eat a bit here and there when your head aches begin. Chocolate that has a high % of coca beans is good for you, and contains caffeine. Also Tea would be a great choice! Eating caffeine pills is not going to wean you off the stuff, i would suggest doing something like the above.
any questions?
And the worst medical advice goes to:
hmm lets see- that's about spot on? and what do you do?
Haven't read the whole thread, but i'm a caffeine addict as well...
I would like to cut down on my sugar / ect intake before too long, as such, I've been considering ordering/buying just either liquid or powder forms of pure caffiene, and applying it to my water/milk/juice/ect
However, try to take away someone's coffee abruptly and chances are they will experience withdrawal symptoms (2). The body develops a dependence on caffeine which is very obvious; stop drinking coffee for a day after being a regular drinker and get a headache, then drink coffee and it goes away.
The reality is somewhere in between. Caffeine is addictive but it is certainly not a strong physical addiction, for it is relatively easy to stop taking caffeine. The true addiction is psychological and is the most widespread addiction on earth.
Good job. and ya i did read it. I have read it- because this is in my book. You didn't read it. sweet!
You do realize that article was written by some half-ass college student as an undergraduate report right? I am seriously afraid if you are in any way related to the healthcare industry...
You realize 200 mg of caffiene is about twice that of a cup of coffee. No surprise you're having problems with them. Caffiene pills also hit you a lot faster than coffee (personal experience).
If you seriously can't survive without caffiene, and won't consume the usual drinks, at least grind those pills up so you have smaller dosages.
And i am done arguing with you people. His sources are all from credible sources, but i can't expect you to read or know them so the link i posted gives you a list. Please read all of that and then come back to me. Because right now, i find it funny that you are arguing against all of this cited work. Physical dependence would mean that it is difficult to stop taking the drug..... Duh? and i know that i can stop drinking coffee anytime... so wait...... what does that mean?
Please keep it up, you are both sounding so intelligent.
Well, I'm going to step in between the bicker fest and say that Misrah is right, you're being a baby, don't "ride it out," just take a couple ibuprofen when your headache starts and it'll be gone in a few minutes... jeez...
caffeine is unhealthy for you. moreover, what you gain in wakefulness and energy you probably lose in coherence and cohesion.
anyway, caffeine is addictive but we're not talking about alcoholism or heroine addiction or anything too rough.
stop drinking caffeine, because 1) it sucks and you probably just don't realize how much it sucks, and 2) like you do recognize, it'll help you achieve your goal.
if you start to get a headache, take an aspirin and move on with your life
Although it's my fault for creating a shitty thread in the first place, this is getting a little out of hand. I'm heading out for the night, thanks to all who gave advice. If any mod wants to close this, that's fine by me.
On November 07 2009 12:05 quiong wrote: Why not just drink diet soda? Most diet soda still has caffeine in it, so you can get your caffeine without getting fat.
I was looking through these pages to find this post. Hard to believe that only one person would suggest the super obvious solution.
On November 07 2009 11:39 Misrah wrote: OK well- medical person here so this is what i have to say-
1. Milk will help to sooth the stomach, and taking them with milk can be a good thing. However milk is not something you should be drinking when you are trying to lose weight, unless it's skim. And no i don't think that milk would have any contraindications with caffeine pills.
2. Caffeine does not cause physical dependence, in fact it's just mental so the 'withdrawal' is really very minor and it would be far easier on you and your body to just cold turkey caffeine.
3. if you don't want to cold turkey- then i would simply suggest buying a 75% and up dark chocolate bar, and eat a bit here and there when your head aches begin. Chocolate that has a high % of coca beans is good for you, and contains caffeine. Also Tea would be a great choice! Eating caffeine pills is not going to wean you off the stuff, i would suggest doing something like the above.
any questions?
He says he's dieting and you recommended that he eat chocolate on a daily basis. Nice. What exactly is a "medical person," might I ask?
On November 07 2009 11:39 Misrah wrote: 2. Caffeine does not cause physical dependence, in fact it's just mental so the 'withdrawal' is really very minor and it would be far easier on you and your body to just cold turkey caffeine.
A good % of regular caffein users (coffee, tea (other than white or green which contain roughly 0 caffein), energy drinks or cola) and myself included will experience headache/fatigue, usually in the morning, right until they gulp down that first cup.
Anyway its not that big of a thing to deal with. I'd suggest gradually lowering your daily intake by trying the suggestions that were given, cocoa beans, tea, coffee, etc. It will make the caffein crash and the morning headache lesser
On November 07 2009 12:47 Nevuk wrote: Diet soda is ridiculously unhealthy, and aspartame can cause you to gain weight due to it inducing hunger.
Diet soda is perfectly safe. The reason why everyone says its bad for you is due to a study that found many people who drink diet soda have shitty diets (ie: hey I'm drinking diet soda that means I can gorge on more garbage) which the media has distorted into "drinking diet soda will make you eat more and get fat, diabetes and heart disease and die alone in a ditch". Ok, maybe not the ditch part.
Whats with all the weird suggestions. Just drink coffee or black tea, hell even green tea has caffeine. And if you're dieting, just use skim or no milk and don't add sugar.
I take 2-300mg of caffeine before a workout during strict diets to get me through. Coffee and green tea are part of my everyday life so I don't really have any withdrawal issues.
Or just drink a can of concrete and harden the fuck up.
On November 07 2009 12:47 Nevuk wrote: Diet soda is ridiculously unhealthy, and aspartame can cause you to gain weight due to it inducing hunger.
Diet soda is perfectly safe. The reason why everyone says its bad for you is due to a study that found many people who drink diet soda have shitty diets (ie: hey I'm drinking diet soda that means I can gorge on more garbage) which the media has distorted into "drinking diet soda will make you eat more and get fat, diabetes and heart disease and die alone in a ditch". Ok, maybe not the ditch part.
Tea/Coffee, but slowly ween yourself off. I've tried the whole coffee thing, and honestly I can't say it makes me feel any better during the morning. I would encourage you to get off the stuff, because once you build a resistance to it you feel worse than normal and end up telling yourself you need it to feel good. Research shows that Caffeine addiction stems from psychological causes rather than physical dependence. Try drinking water whenever possible (carry a bottle in your pack), as your headaches from caffeine withdrawal won't be helped by dehydration, nor will your thirst for your liquid of choice.
I'm no health expert but I find it hard to believe that your inability to lose any more weight essentially hinges on your single consumption habit to drink soda (intake caffeine).
There are still probably countless ways for you to trim down without relinquishing your daily coca-cola intake...via more efficient exercise routines, healthier meals, etc...
On November 07 2009 12:47 Nevuk wrote: Diet soda is ridiculously unhealthy, and aspartame can cause you to gain weight due to it inducing hunger.
Diet soda is perfectly safe. The reason why everyone says its bad for you is due to a study that found many people who drink diet soda have shitty diets (ie: hey I'm drinking diet soda that means I can gorge on more garbage) which the media has distorted into "drinking diet soda will make you eat more and get fat, diabetes and heart disease and die alone in a ditch". Ok, maybe not the ditch part.
On November 07 2009 13:53 Energies wrote: The reason I posted a Youtube video is because it would be easier to digest.
Try typing 'Aspartame' into Google without any other words, see what you find.
Youtube videos are harder to digest because just about any crazy idiot with video editing software and a microphone can make a video like that and make it seem real. The article linked by wr3k details why the sweetener actually is safe and is approved by the FDA.
Typing 9/11 in google will give me a list of conspiracies and crazy stories of how the US government was behind it or jews or whatever the fuck other conspiracies are - the point is that just because people talk about this shit and its all over the internet doesn't make it true.
On November 07 2009 12:47 Nevuk wrote: Diet soda is ridiculously unhealthy, and aspartame can cause you to gain weight due to it inducing hunger.
Diet soda is perfectly safe. The reason why everyone says its bad for you is due to a study that found many people who drink diet soda have shitty diets (ie: hey I'm drinking diet soda that means I can gorge on more garbage) which the media has distorted into "drinking diet soda will make you eat more and get fat, diabetes and heart disease and die alone in a ditch". Ok, maybe not the ditch part.
I have a documentary called 'sweet misery' where it talks about aspartame. The main thing with it is that it can cause headaches and potentially set off other severe problems.
There is an natural alternative to aspartame and all the fake sugars but they insist on using this piece of shit subtance instead. The alternative is called Stevia, and it looks at tastes exactly like powdered suger. Its fucking good and calorie free, I have a bottle and put some on my french toast the other day.
Other studies have shown stevia to improve insulin sensitivity in rats[41] and possibly even to promote additional insulin production,[42] helping to reverse diabetes and metabolic syndrome.[43] Preliminary human studies suggest that stevia can help reduce hypertension[44] although another study has shown it to have no effect on hypertension.[45] Indeed, millions of Japanese have been using stevia for over thirty years with no reported or known harmful effects.[46] Similarly, stevia leaves have been used for centuries in South America spanning multiple generations in ethnomedical tradition as a treatment for type II diabetes.[47]
On November 07 2009 13:53 Energies wrote: The reason I posted a Youtube video is because it would be easier to digest.
Try typing 'Aspartame' into Google without any other words, see what you find.
I find endless mention of concerns stemming from the same information which is now almost 30 years old. Then I find a comprehensive study posted in a scholarly journal which seems to be the only recent readily available information on the topic. I'm obviously inclined to go with the recent information until someone tells me otherwise. You see all of these people saying the FDA only approved it for X mg/kg/day, but this study tests animals with 4000mg/kg/day and finds no evidence supporting any of these claims. So basically its like global warming and vaccines, somewhere in the shitstorm of poorly sourced information called the internet, there was a Dr. who made a youtube video to spread his vital message, and instantly hundreds if not thousands of gullible people jumped on the bandwagon.
Yeah, I might be thinking in an egocentric manner. Sure, I might not have done all of the research I could possibly have. One thing is for sure, youtube is the worst possible source of information, and I can't handle when people use it as a basis for supporting an argument.
No one else is wondering why the OP wants to be tall and lanky? Just work out a lot, why do you want to be awkward looking like that? Just work out. I mean I am 5 11 and I aim for around 185 for my weight (I am at that now) but I need to just get more muscle with it and tone out. I don't really want to be skinny, just healthy. Just try eating healthy and working out more. I actually am cutting down on my soda consumption by a lot. I just drink a lot of water now, but still sometimes you just want something with more flavor which is reasonable.
I think 198 should be fine if you are 6 1ish. Then again I guess it depends on your build. I happen to have large shoulders no matter what and am bulky.
hahahahaha.. priceless but i know the feeling after taking one, except for me I just drank at least 9 redbulls a night (not joking, or like 3 monsters with 2 redbulls) gaming on certain weekends. although it promotes annoyance, i highly recommend you drink A LOT of water if you are going to take caffeine pills because they will dehydrate your body and use up a lot of of it's own water, so gatorade even helps more.
On November 07 2009 13:53 Energies wrote: The reason I posted a Youtube video is because it would be easier to digest.
Try typing 'Aspartame' into Google without any other words, see what you find.
I find endless mention of concerns stemming from the same information which is now almost 30 years old. Then I find a comprehensive study posted in a scholarly journal which seems to be the only recent readily available information on the topic. I'm obviously inclined to go with the recent information until someone tells me otherwise. You see all of these people saying the FDA only approved it for X mg/kg/day, but this study tests animals with 4000mg/kg/day and finds no evidence supporting any of these claims. So basically its like global warming and vaccines, somewhere in the shitstorm of poorly sourced information called the internet, there was a Dr. who made a youtube video to spread his vital message, and instantly hundreds if not thousands of gullible people jumped on the bandwagon.
Yeah, I might be thinking in an egocentric manner. Sure, I might not have done all of the research I could possibly have. One thing is for sure, youtube is the worst possible source of information, and I can't handle when people use it as a basis for supporting an argument.
But can you explain to me as to why it is so much harder to find articles stating aspartame is safe than stating that it is not?
At least 9/11 conspiracy websites are fairly 50/50. And the articles stating Aspartame is bad aren't all over the top bullshit like the 9/11 conspiracy sites. You're entitled to believe what you want to believe based on whatever information you have taken in. But there is no good reason to be using a a product with so much negative information on it when you don't have to.
On November 07 2009 13:53 Energies wrote: The reason I posted a Youtube video is because it would be easier to digest.
Try typing 'Aspartame' into Google without any other words, see what you find.
Youtube videos are harder to digest because just about any crazy idiot with video editing software and a microphone can make a video like that and make it seem real. The article linked by wr3k details why the sweetener actually is safe and is approved by the FDA.
Typing 9/11 in google will give me a list of conspiracies and crazy stories of how the US government was behind it or jews or whatever the fuck other conspiracies are - the point is that just because people talk about this shit and its all over the internet doesn't make it true.
And you trust the FDA because why??? Look at the current state of health in the US. It's worse than ever despite the stupid bought and paid for FDA. You'll find way more truthful information on youtube where people don't have agendas. And if you still think two planes can knock down three giant steel skyscrapers you've got a long to go.
If 200mg gave you a headache, you aren't even close to caffiene addiction. I had 6 200mg caps after pulling an allnighter and fell asleep in class anyway.
If you wanna lose weight, get on a slight calorie deficit and a structured form of weight training.
And the guy who said there are no physical symptoms needs to reread his textbook.
Cold turkey is not the solution! I have been addicted to caffiene/coca cola and all you need to do is reduce how much you have. Just have 1-2 cans a day at most (unless you can't bear not to have 3) then try 1 or 2 cans every second day. I can drink no coke no problem now.
On November 09 2009 05:18 Reason wrote: Cold turkey is not the solution! I have been addicted to caffiene/coca cola and all you need to do is reduce how much you have. Just have 1-2 cans a day at most (unless you can't bear not to have 3) then try 1 or 2 cans every second day. I can drink no coke no problem now.
This is probably the best solution. I would also suggest getting those caffeine-free ones in the end, since you can sometimes trick your body into thinking its getting caffeine.
On November 07 2009 11:39 Misrah wrote: OK well- medical person here so this is what i have to say-
2. Caffeine does not cause physical dependence, in fact it's just mental so the 'withdrawal' is really very minor and it would be far easier on you and your body to just cold turkey caffeine.
Um, I'm pretty sure that caffeine causes physical dependence, since it's a drug.
On November 07 2009 11:39 Misrah wrote: OK well- medical person here so this is what i have to say-
2. Caffeine does not cause physical dependence, in fact it's just mental so the 'withdrawal' is really very minor and it would be far easier on you and your body to just cold turkey caffeine.
Um, I'm pretty sure that caffeine causes physical dependence, since it's a drug.
The definition of a drug does not imply physical dependence. You're correct that caffeine is physically addictive, but your reasoning is not sound.
My fiance had issues with drinking ten cans of Mt. Dew a day...so, to save our wallets a little bit I stepped in and basically threw fit after fit after fit until he agreed to tone it back. He toned it back completely, and started buying Green Tea. He did get headaches at first, was Hell to live with for a while, but we bought Midol to help the headaches (don't laugh, it works) and over a span of a couple weeks, he got better.
The Green Tea really does work. He's lost about ten pounds so far just by doing that.
However, try to take away someone's coffee abruptly and chances are they will experience withdrawal symptoms (2). The body develops a dependence on caffeine which is very obvious; stop drinking coffee for a day after being a regular drinker and get a headache, then drink coffee and it goes away.
good job
There's a difference between drugs which create a physical dependence and a mental dependence. Misrah said caffeine is the former to which you refute that it's definitely one of the two. Well done.
Is Misrah getting flamed just because he said he's studying medicine AND posted a true fact?
I'm South American and I have yet to hear that someone suffered from a physical withdrawal symptom for not drinking coffee in a week. Though, I have heard of psychological symptoms.
I think in North America coffee is artificially polluted with unnatural caffeine shots to provide a bigger "boost" or some crazy-weird shit like that.
Nobody here has had the shakes/headaches, from caffeine withdrawal? I'm not talking the one coke a day withdrawal, I'm talking the 10-12 large coffees a day withdrawal. Its there, and its very real... This pretty much sums up my views: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/30/health/webmd/main646620.shtml
EPT
