Gave up Coffee

and I'm still alive

[httpwebwitch]

I used to hit the pot (the coffee pot, that is) 4, 5 6 times a day. Wofgang Puck, extra-strong, black; Tim Hortons large double-double. Caffeine throughout my day.

The impetus to quit was one evening when my heart was beating irregularly with atrial fibrillations. It's not serious, but it's weird to feel your heart thump in your chest like that. Despite knowing all along that caffeine isn't good for your heart, I had that false sense of infalliability - I'm young(ish) and healthy, so surely I can "handle" an enjoyable coffee habit? Such was my illusion. The unusual fibrillations were happening 2 or 3 times a day, for a few minutes at a time; they'd be triggered by some physical exertion (like carrying heavy laundry bags up 3 flights of stairs), and would be accompanied by a little bit of dizziness.

I went two days without coffee and all the symptoms stopped.

I've heard of people with coffee addictions having major side-effects and withdrawal when they kick the habit. I had... none. I just stopped drinking coffee and started drinking water instead, and I didn't notice any change in my mood, appetite, sleep, or anything. So perhaps what I had wasn't really an addiction, it was just a persistent choice of beverage.

it's been two weeks, and I've only had two cups of coffee in those two weeks at odd times while out dining, and I don't miss it in my daily routine at all.

goodbye Joe

[simonuk]

A life without coffee? aarrrggghhh nooooooo :)

2 young kids (who wake up every single night at least once each), a pregnant wife and being a workholic means coffee & redbull are my best friends :)

[abbeyvet]

I successfully gave up coffee. I now drink about a litre or more of diet coke daily. :(

[wolfadeus]

You call this a life? ;)

Wolfgang Puck, Red Bull...seems like fellow Austrians kept the World awake and going...

[rocknbil]

my heart was beating irregularly with atrial fibrillations

I've had these all my life. Sometimes I thought I had an alien about to burst out. You must wonder though if it was the actual forfeit of one of Life's Allowable Pleasures or your change in attitude that made them go away. For whatever reason I haven't had one in years.

But it's possible caffiene was your source, everyone's body is different. My wife is sensitive to the slightest changes, from coffee to alcohol, mine is the cast iron mack truck of biosystems. I can take or leave the coffee, no effect either way other than I love the stuff. :-)

[Hawkgirl]

I gave up caffeine when I was pregnant. Now that I have the kid I haven't bothered getting back into the habit. I don't worry if I drink a little when I'm out, but I don't drink it at home at all. I probably have 2 or 3 caffeinated beverages a week, max.

I feel MUCH better without all of that extra interference with my system. I used to get withdrawal headaches when I would "miss" my caffeine fix ... not anymore!

[katana_one]

Good for you, httpwebwitch.

I gave up caffeine almost a year ago. I went straight from drinking 3-6 cups of coffee before noon each day to drinking none at all when I changed jobs last year. I abstained for almost six months before I allowed myself to enjoy an after dinner coffee one night while dining out. Nowadays I drink no more than 3 caffiene drinks per week.

[vincevincevince]

The important thing to remember about coffee is that it doesn't really work if you drink it every day. You need a few days break for it to really take effect.

I avoid coffee most of the time and drink it only once or twice a week - when tired or when I need to get productivity up.

[idolw]

i haven't smoked a cigaretter for nearly 3 weeks now.
did not think about quitting coffee, though. I guess I need few more years for that.

[Jane_Doe]

The impetus to quit was one evening when my heart was beating irregularly with atrial fibrillations.

Magnesium deficiency (which coffee consumption often contributes to) can be a factor in many heart maladies including palpitations. Most of my heart issues topped after I found that out and started eating better.

[Frida]

I successfully gave up coffee. I now drink about a litre or more of diet coke daily. :(

Same here with the only difference I've never drunk coffee so far...but having diet coke all day long seems is my sin instead. I haven't tried to kick the habit but I guess I'll have to ...or at least reduce these terrifying quantities. Caffeine-addiction is obviously not easy to give throw away.

[lawman]

I'm not old enough to drink coffee.

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

I drink about two or three pints of black tea with no sugar during a day. I seldom drink coffee but I guess I get my caffeine from the tea.

Recently I have taken to leaving one of these sports water bottles on my desk to remind me to drink more water.

[pmkpmk]

Funny that you mention this - I did it too, by accident. I had to call in sick two days (Friday through Monday and - yes - really sick). And upon return in the office the coffee simply did not taste anymore. In a café or even if I do a cappuchino at home it still tastes - but not in the office anymore. So I got myself some grain coffe substitute and I'm now down for 6-8 cups a day to 0 cups a day.

[DXL]

Try making some hot black tea with two teabags instead of one. Its got a bold enough taste but won't make your nerves as bad as coffee will.

[Lilliabeth]

i haven't smoked a cigaretter for nearly 3 weeks now.

WOW! Congratulations and hang in there!

[gamiziuk]

I enjoy the Maui-wowee blend.

[surfin2u]

I discovered that it wasn't coffee alone that caused my heart to palpitate, it was the combination of stress and coffee. I did give up coffee for a while, then I gave up stress, and now I am happily back on coffee.