I have been caffeine and alcohol free for one week now and I just can't believe the difference in my temperament and energy levels. When I was drinking 4-5 cups of coffee a day I ALWAYS felt like I was on the attack and, ironically, on the defense. That's the fight or flight adrenaline rush that caffeine gives. Apparently, after stopping caffeine, cortisol levels will actually increase by 2-4 TIMES their normal level for up to a week in people who are genetically predisposed to this response.
We have an on-staff MD here at work and I was asking her about the withdrawal symptoms I was having like flu-like symptoms, back ache, headache, and very low energy. We did some research on it and those are very common symptoms in about 50% of the population. Not only that, but there is a genetic component as to who is affected by quitting caffeine. About half of the people will have those severe flu-like symptoms. She said those symptoms (shivers, back ache, cramps, slight fever) are usually brought on by the adrenal glands as are the symptoms from the real flu.
I guess I'm one of the lucky 50% with this reaction to caffeine withdrawal. Her advice was to cut back to 3 cups a day for 5 days, then two cups a day for 5 days, then one cup a day for 5 days, half-caff for a few more, and then finally no coffee or just plain decaf. The stress of withdrawal causes high cortisol levels which can have adverse affects on weight loss at first too.
I'm not saying for you to quit. But I can say that I now feel so much more relaxed and ready to deal with stresses in a way that I never could have before. I can watch my kids drop clothes on the floor, spill drinks and all the things that kids do, answer stupid questions from folks at work, and not even bat a eye -doesn't phase me at all. And my energy levels are coming back.
It does sound like you have a fairly high stress life going on there. But stress is relative. What may stress me out may not phase you. But caffeine definitely causes an increase in serum cortisol and adrenaline and I think that caffeine really amplifies what you get stressed about. For me though, the better quality of life is worth it. Plus it's fun to look for good tasting decaf coffee and tea.
-Rick
--- In fast5@yahoogroups.com, "Kim Swearingen" <kim@...> wrote:
>
> I can easily face a life with very low carbs and alcohol. However, caffeine? Really? Stress levels are another interesting thing. I have what to most seems like a fairly high stress life - four kids I'm raising alone and I work in the restaurant industry and way too many hours. That being said, I handle stress extremely well. So does that mean that I probably have high cortisol levels? Is stress itself the culprit or just stress that actually stresses you out? Hard to know, right? Last time I was tested, both estrogen and testosterone were in the normal range, although testosterone was "low normal".
>
> Just tell me I don't have to give up coffee.
>
> Kim
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