Coming off caffeine - any advice or top tips?

[tootsietoo]

I've got to stop drinking so much caffeine - it's starting to make me feel weird in lots of little ways. However, after a day and a half this weekend I could't take any more! My muscles felt like they were made of lead, and I was utterly miserable.

So I'm wondering, first, is it worth it? Is there really a nirvana of energy without caffeine at the end of a week or so? And if I do have another go, is there anything which will help? Any clever herbal teas or anything that substitute and help get you through? How did you manage to do it?

Get some nurofen in, and some redbush tea.

Get some decaff coffee as a temporary measure so you have the taste until the caffeine addiction is conquered.

Then indulge in ritual tea drinking.Try all sorts of herbal teas -honey and camomile, nettle and fennel are lovely-and make it a treat with a nice teapot to pour, and a tea cosy.

I didn't find I got more energy, but I did find I lost the coffee breath.

That's a point -get some mints.

Coffee and tea taste rank when you have a minty mouth!

Nurofen, redbush, mints, herbal tea. I do like that Pukka chai stuff with milk and honey. I could look forward to drinking that every day.

Thank you!

I did this three years ago, no caffeine or diet coke etc since (ok well chocolate but it doesn't count :-)

I switched to the half caffeine stuff you can get then just stopped. Agree with red bush tea, it's really nice.

After going cold turkey and having mind blowing headaches I'd advise withdrawing gradually.

I don't feel any different after ditching the caffeine but I feel it is one less 'vice'.

I still drink coffee when I'm out but it's a treat now rather than an addiction.

I drink green tea now and it will never be as good as coffee for me but it's become my "new normal"!

I did it for three years, I drink caffeine regularly again now but am nowhere near as addicted/dependent as I was. I did find I slept better and also had energy on waking rather than feeling fluey until my first cup of coffee!

I can't drink caffeine any more and had to stop cold turkey. It was hideous, so ease off gently. I just drink decaf which seems to be low enough in caffeine not to affect me.
Massive bonus is that when I go on holiday I don't need to find caffeinated drinks.

Be ready for headaches and a woolly feeling. But it only lasts a few days.

Don't go cold turkey. I had 6 days of headaches, ended up popping so many paracetemol, probably worse than the caffeine!

But it was worth it, anxiety levels are much lower, feel much calmer, sleeping better. Good luck.

I gradually reduced the amount I drink although I haven't cut it out altogether. Might that be an option? I stop drinking caffeinated drinks by 8.30am during the week, later on weekends but I have one third caf two thirds decaf coffee at the weekend so still not too much caffeine.