Opiate AND Caffiene Withdrawal?!

[MrsANAV]

I'm seven weeks clean of oxycodone and still experiencing awful symptoms both mental and physical (which I feel may be some type of post acute withdrawal.) Aversion to food, nausea, dry heave spells, fatigue, insomnia, pounding heart episodes, severe anxiety attacks, mood swings, depression and diarrhea.

I've been avoiding Caffiene every time I have anxiety attack episode (which is from opiate WD.) So I feel anxiety and suddenly stop all diet coke and coffee cold turkey, feel like hell with flu like symptoms and anxiety for days, then feel better and start to drink Caffiene.....and repeat.

I just looked up Caffiene withdrawal and among others mood swings, depression, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue and flu symptoms are some things listed!!! Could I be experiencing both Caffiene and opiate withdrawal? There are some articles that say Caffiene withdrawal is classified in some journals as a mental disorder!!

I want to drink coffee now but it's 10pm! I'm intrigued now. Thoughts?

[MrsANAV]

@brown

Also great job keeping yourself healthy and setting goals!! It takes a strong kind set especially when you know what you'll face!!

[MrsANAV]

@brown
Thank you for responding. Everyone I've mentioned this to looks at me a little funny but I'm convinced I was in pretty significant Caffiene WD. The symptoms were so bad and so long lasting I went to the ER several times. The anxiety, flu symptoms, dry heave spells, nausea, insomnia....it all went away the very night I went back on Caffiene! I've been drinking one cup of coffee in the morning and two of those small diet coke cans a day and so far...drastic improvement!

I did have a ten minute panic/anxiety episode last night before bed. It came swiftly and was awful but then I slept all night. Twice today I've had the burning and tightness in my chest as though I'll go into an attack but then it passes after about a half hour. I'm experiencing that as I type this and praying it goes away!

I know I'm dealing with opiate WD still at 8 weeks but I think a host of other symptoms nobody could explain was Caffiene wd! I'll tell you what...now that I know I will never stop! Pure HELL! I'm astounded Caffiene can do that!

[brownvelvet]

hi
I have severe withdrawal symptoms when I go off caffeine...I am sick as a dog for 7-10 days. It is a real thing. I didnt get anxious but the headaches, nausea, exhaustion and trouble sleeping were very real....i agree internet stuff is overboard but for me caffeine withdrawal was really tough. I am on caffeine now but just coffee in am and a couple diet sodas with nothing in afternoon. Ihad really bad insomnia with W/D. i want to get off but for me i need a little for now. im finally sleeping better and exercising so next step no more soda then coffee!

[MrsANAV]

VIC thank you! I too am extremely sensitive to any OTC medicie. If there are 10 side effects possible I'm sure to get 12 lol. Even supplements seem to negatively effect me.

As far as day one of my test...I've had 1 cup of coffee, one soda and a little tea today. It's the first day in seven weeks I've felt normal and happy. I took my kids to a Legoland today and we made it on every ride, five full hours and I'm still going.

Tonight is the real test seeing as the panic episodes always hit at midnight. I'll keep you posted!

[VICourageous]

Good Job!

It is always nice to do our own homework.

I know I had to stay away from Sugars and Caffeine when I first got clean and 3 yrs later I still do very little.  For me it is like I was Scared Straight (sorta speaking). I am very sensitive to any OTC or Prescriptions these days. I get a bit on the nervous side, because it seems like any thing made in the Pharmaceutical World, we will have to pay a small price when we stop the med.

I know you will be Fine in Time and this will be behind you.
Keep on with that face to face Support and also for Supporting others along the way.
Have a Grreeeat Day!
Bless

[MrsANAV]

Thank you for the replies :) I really appreciate them all.

I figured last night Id test myself. For seven weeks I've been in agony on and off. So many symptoms nobody on the recovery forums can relate to, most physical even seven weeks out. I understand this IS opiate withdrawal but I suspect some of it also Caffiene withdrawal.

So my normal Caffiene intake is 2-4 cups of coffee if I get a Starbucks and 2-3 diet cokes. I have air popped popcorn every night with a diet soda at about 7pm, bad habit I know! But for seven weeks I've had NO Caffiene except a sip or so here and there for taste. After reading in other Caffiene wothdrawal posts I decided last night to have about 5oz of diet coke before nights end like normal. It's the first night in seven weeks my heart didn't race, no panic attack, tightening throat....nothing but the raddest 9 hours of dreamless sleep in seven weeks! I feel like a new person this morning.

I have not made it more than 24 hours with severe anxiety and flu like symptoms in seven weeks. My plan is to consume a little Caffiene today and not go over board and see if this improves my symptoms. I think I am withdrawaling from both opiates and Caffiene ans the use of Clonidine (a blood pressure med given to me by the ER during detox) has compounded my issues.

I'm shocked at the severity of Caffiene withdrawal people experience. This is a test....I'll keep you posted!

[Laybron]

Aw hun you don't sound like you're having an easy time at all. I think not only are you withdrawing from coffee but you have probably switched over your addictive behaviour to caffeine (like a replacement addiction ) when I'm unwell  coffee doesn't agree with me, harsh on my stomach so while u are getting clean why not get rid of that as well?  It will take a while 4 u to feel better so do what you can to help and that starts with a healthy balanced diet. U need to build ur self back up strong. If you are still feeling sick natural yogurt biscuits toast can all help. Coffee aggravates ur tummy and makes u process more bile which is what you're throwing up. Just keep going you've come toout far to go back now (also try trick urself with a decent quality decaf ) xxx

[NeverAgain127]

I agree with Krissi...post acute withdrawal syndrome comes after a year.   Oxycodone is what I withdrew from, and at 7 weeks, I was still having symptoms.  Heck, at 10 months, I still have restless legs sometimes (although the frequency is getting less and less), insomnia, and of course anxiety.

I am also a coffee drinker...if I go without, I get headaches, but that is about it.  Be careful about stuff on the internet.  You could look up "ingrown toenail" and it would list 100 symptoms...(not kidding!)

Congratulations on 7 weeks; that is awesome...you will get better and better every week.   Are you drinking a ton of water?  Also, exercise (if you can) helps tremendously to heal our brains and bodies....

Hugs,
-Robin

[Krissy_123]

If you're just 7 weeks out I wouldn't think you to have "paws" That doesn't come (if it comes at all) for months later. I know when I quit oxy I was still having symptoms at 2 months. And yes you can have w/d's from caffeine. Its normally headaches and feeling of fatigue and doesn't last very long. Are you on any other meds? Maybe they're causing side effects?