I quit caffeine today... Mother of all headaches!

[Theincidental]

On doctor's advice I quit caffeine today, only had it in coffee but drank four/five cups a day.

I've switched to decaf and herbal tea and not bothered by the taste or anything.

But I am bothered by the massive (supposedly related) caffeine withdrawal headache.

Is there anything I can temper this with apart from headache tablets and how long does it last?

Anyone else done the same?

[MrsHende]

I wonder if a cup of coffee would help?!

I quit about ten years ago and had a horrendous headache by 10.30am, then people at work suggested that cold turkey might be a bit much!

Would you maybe have half the amount of coffee today, quarter tomorrow then just one cup on Tuesday?

[Theincidental]

I'd love to but I'll be up all night if I have coffee now... And I only have decaf :)

Yes, it may be a bit much so poss try one cup tomorrow at work.

Never had a clue it would hurt this much! Now wondering wtf caffeine is, if not having it is this painful!

[ObtuseAngel]

I agree with not going cold turkey, give yourself a week or so and reduce your intake by one cup every two days. Otherwise the headache will last about three days (in my experience). I also found I was a bit lethargic and lacking in concentration for at least a week.

[Theincidental]

I seem to just be grumpy!

Can't tell if it's the headache or the lack of coffee (combination of the two probably!)

[DoYourKegels]

Caffeine is incredibly addictive and withdrawal is a bitch. Sorry.

[evertonmint]

I periodically cutback on tea if I've been having too much (I aim to only have 2 per day but it can sometimes escalate to 5-6). Cold turkey is very hard. I just have one cup in the morning and it makes a huge difference to the headachiness as I come off caffeine. Definitely withdraw slowly, removing one every couple of days, assuming your doctor is ok with that and doesn't need you off it straight away.

Good luck!

[sydlexic]

I mixed caffeinated and decaffeinated in equal measures to start. Gradually increasing the decaff over several weeks.

I was in bed with a migraine for three days when I tried cold turkey.

[Theincidental]

Thanks all.

I think I'll need to go for one cup a day.

I had no idea it would be this gruesome. I really hope the benefits are worth it!

[ObtuseAngel]

Are you ttc by any chance? I gave up caffeine for my final round of IVF, and that was the only one that that I got pregnant.

[Theincidental]

No, not ttc.

I have medical conditions exacerbated by caffeine, so on a mission to quit!

Glad your Ivf worked

[Lottie4]

As synalex says, it's probably worth having 50/50 for a couple of days, then reducing it to 50/50 in every other cup. Caffeine can be addictive and I think you will reduce the risk of headaches in the first couple of days if you cut back slowly.

[evertonmint]

How are you getting on? Feeling any better?

[BrightSunshineyDay]

When i gave up caffeine I felt like shit for about a week. Headache, achy legs, couldn't concentrate, but then it was like a fog had lifted and I felt great. So much more energy, slept better, better mood. Sadly i went back to it and really want to give up again but can't face the withdrawals and not sure I would do well with only reducing it, I'm generally all or nothing.

Hope you are feeling better

[Theincidental]

I'm drinking coffee at work only and limiting to 2/3 cups, so halving I suppose.

Aim is to cut down again next week to 1 cup per day.

Thanks for the advice. No headaches since.

If anything it's strengthened my resolve to quit, because it's a bit worrying how bad the withdrawal is.

[GW297]

Stick with it! I'm nearly 2 months in and feel so much better. I had a headache at the beginning and had a very small coffee to take the edge off. After that I was fine. I just stopped buying milk. Getting used to herbal teas slowly.