caffeine addiction?! need answers!!

[crid]

So I used to drink pop/coffee once in a while, you know a couple cans or a cup of coffee a week, but this year I drink A LOT of it. I can go through those 24 packs of pop in probably a week. And when I have coffee, its not just a cup, its at LEAST a half a pot. I do sort of notice that when I don't have anything, I start to get a headache and it is immediately relieved once I drink some pop or coffee. So this means I'm addicted right? To the caffeine?

I just had a can of pop and its gone in less than 5 minutes. I've read that a lot of caffeine can cause your heart to race, and you can get shaky, etc. but I've noticed its the opposite for me. My heart rate is slower when I drink pop/coffee than when I don't. Is it just that my body is so used to it? I tried just quiting cold turkey, so I went without caffeine for 2 days, but then I really got a bad headache. It not only helps if I get a headache, but I really crave it! So what do you think? Am I addicted?

How can I get away from not drinking so much of it? Im trying to have less, but I used to drink at least 4 cans of pop a day, on top of some days having coffee too.

[lovemypillhead]

I need and want to quit smoking.  cigarettes.  i am curious how people on here who quit did it.  the patch, gum, meds, ???

i am seriously wanting to stop

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

All you are going through, the coffee/caffeine has to take the blame. What you suffer from when you are not having coffee is known as “Withdrawal Symptoms” which manifests as headache, jitteriness, craving for coffee. Coffee is quite addictive. You know, the youngsters nowadays are addicted to soft drinks like coke, Pepsi due to high caffeine content in them. Each can of Coke contains 3 times caffeine than a cup of coffee. Well, you need to gradually decrease your intake of coffee. If you suddenly stop taking coffee, you’ll have these withdrawal symptoms which will make you drink coffee, hence my suggestion will be to gradually decrease the intake of the same.

Some patients do have a slowing of heart rate with the intake of coffee but in majority it causes a rapid pulse.

I hope that helps. Please do keep me posted.

Warm regards.

[Gorgeous_Diitz]

i'm havin' a similar problem...i drink about 2-3 monster energy drinks daily. n when i don't have one, i get really bad headaches n sumtimes feel really nauseated. there are times when i feel extremely dizzy n absoulutely need to sit down or fear of fainting. i've noticed i sweat alot more than b4 but then again i had a baby jus 3 1/2 monthz. i've lost most of da baby weight, n actually tryin' to gain 10 pounds back. i think i'm like 125-130 pounds. 5'3 almost 5'4. but newayz...diabetes runs in my family but alot of family which are just aunts on my mother's side got it when they were alot older. i'm only 19 bout to be 20. i've also noticed that when i drink the monsters my heart is at ease cuz without it i experience heart pains. now i did have a slight heart murmur when i was 12 but my doctor says thery can't detect it ne more so i must've grew out of it. but i'm jus not sure on how these drinks are affecting me. please help.