Question About Caffiene

[looking4answers40]

Hi All, I've read alot of posts were people say not to have caffiene as this makes anxiety worse, So what about Decaffinated Coffee and Caffiene Free Soda ? Would these things be ok ? I am a big soda drinker, ( diet soda only ).

[iamfaithful]

I had to give up the caffeine.  I used to be a HUGE consumer of sweet tea and cokes.  I haven't had eitehr since my palps stared this summer.  I have had a couple cups of decaf tea, but that' not 100% caffeine free, so I am leary of even doing that.  I enjoy caffeine free coke (I don't like diet anything-lol) and sprite now.  Oh and I love the orange soda too-but it's a little sweeter and I can tell the difference when I drink it.  My main beverage of choice nowadays is water-how do you like that?  But I know that its healthier then what I was doing before.  I just don't need anything adding to my anxiety, so I play it real safe.

[Dilios]

I would definitely kick the caffiene or at least limit it.  I love coffee and used to drink it every morning, and now since I have given it up, my anxiety is a little more under control.  It's not gone, but it is better.  I have less palpitations and rapid heart beat, and even less chest discomfort during my workouts.  But if you are a big soda drinker, I don't see where caffiene free soda would hurt you.  I'm thinking about getting some decaf coffee, myself, because I miss my cup of coffe every morning.

[Barbarella]

There is tons of info on the Internet about the side effects of Splenda.  Below is one of the many lists of side effects. Just go to Google and type in "Splenda side effects".

The long list of symptoms
Consumers of Splenda and sucralose have reported the following symptoms, individually and in combinations.

Abdominal pain, cramping
Acne
Anger
Bleeding readily without clotting
Blistered, swollen lips; burning tongue, inflamed mouth
Bloating
Blood in urine
Chest pains
Constipation
Constricted airway
Depression, anxiety, panic, thoughts of suicide or death, agoraphobia, feelings of hopelessness, feeling alone
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Dry mouth and sinuses
Elevated liver enzyme levels
Eyes crossed or unfocused
Fatigue, lethargy, weakness, loss of fine motor control
Gas
Headache
Heartburn, indigestion
Heart palpitations, accelerated heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, atrial fibrillation
Hot and cold flashes
Irritability or nervousness
Joint pain or swelling
Leg, foot pain
Memory loss (short-term)
Menstrual spotting, menstrual delay, missed period
Metallic taste
Migraines (severe headaches), stabbing head pain
Mood swings
Nausea, vomiting
Night sweats
Numbness of the limbs
Numbness of the tongue or gums
PMS
Rash, itchiness
Seizures
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to sound
Shaking
Shortness of breath
Sleeplessness, restlessness
Spaced-out, unfocused, light-headed, or drugged sensation; difficulty verbalizing ideas, confusion
Sugar craving
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Upset stomach
Weight gain

[looking4answers40]

Thanks all for your input, I have been drinking diet soda for years and i always use splenda as a sugar substitute for coffee, I will try the decaf coffee and see if i notice a difference.

[nick142]

i USE DECAFF COFFEE...NICK..

[spade22]

I just saw Mark wrote something similar regarding artifical sweeteners - great minds must think a like!

[spade22]

Caffeine has been shown to cause to anxiety-like symptoms so anything that is "caffeine-free" will not cause the same problems as the caffenated beverages do.

Another thing to consider is the effect of sugar substitutes if you plan on drinking "diet" drinks - some studies have shown that some of the artifical sweeteners have negative health impacts (including inducing anxiety) but I dont believe the studies are fully conclusive at this point.  However, my doctor has told me NOT to drink anything with certain artifical sweeteners in it during pregnancy!  So......... if you switch to a "diet" decaffenated drink,  and notice any problems, it could be the artifical sweetener causing them.   Just something to keep in mind.

[Mark TX]

OUCH!    I hear ya!  I had no problem giving up the beer... but you've got to pry those Big Gulps from my cold dead hand!

Seriously, I'm a soda nut.  And I do the diet coke...  but often with caffeine, and I know how bad it can mess me up.  I've been much better about it now that I'm tapering off the klonopin.  One of the things I used to do was drink soda until I was sky high... then pop a klonopin or two to bring me down.  What a roller coaster.  And a mess.

I keep caffeine free diet coke in the fridge.  But also keep a water bottle and try to switch back and forth to at least even it out.  I also found a market a few miles away that has caffeine free fountain soda.   So I'll drive a little out of my way to avoid the caffeine when possible.  The problem is the artificial sweeteners in the diet soda aren't any good for you either.  According to my new doc, they're almost as bad as the caffeine.  So best to wean off the soda altogether.  But I understand the struggle.

I gave up beer.  I gave up cigarettes.  Now I have to give up soda.  Life seems SO cruel sometimes!!

=)

mark

[MMomma]

My doctor told me to cut caffiene to, I also a big soda/ coffee drinker, so i switched to caffiene free coke and de-caf coffee, but i do try to limit my intake, i also drink aot of sprite. i've noticed some difference but i don't think that caffiene has a lot to do with it,but it might with some ppl..
hope this helps
god bless