Quitting Pepsi Max in 2021 Support Thread

[NoZoomAtTheInn]

Open to anyone who has already quit with their success stories or anyone who also wants to quit.

I’ve tried twice to stop in the past, once by just stopping and once by gradually cutting down. Both times the withdrawal headaches were awful. Have decided this time to speak to GP first to see if there is anything I can take - like smokers get nicotine patches/gum - while I wean myself off it.

Please report back if you find anything out. I really should cut it out to be honest so I might join you! Good luck!

Don’t go cold turkey, how much do you drink a day?
Gradually reduce it and the headaches won’t be so bad.
I stopped gradually and went onto occasional caffeine free

Really interested finding this thread. I drink 3 cans of diet coke a day. Is the effect the same as Pepsi Max?

I drank around a litre a day until about 3 months ago, I had a slight headache for the first few days and honestly haven't missed it since.

You can reduce down gradually - I was a big tea drinker and am now on zero caffeine

Not exactly the same but I went cold turkey in my Diet Coke habit of four cans a day when I went on a jerk diet. The Keri diet is long gone but I still can't touch Diet Coke, it is so artificially sweet. I don't drink any diet drinks anymore maybe once a month I'll have a can of proper Coke.

Oooh can I join? I've been trying to wean myself off fizzy pop for years and no success. I last a few days and then cave in. 4 litres of pepsi max per week is not normal, I really need to find a fizzy alternative. Someone suggested berroca. It's good for you as it contains vitamin c and you can have your fizz fix too. Might try that on Friday.

Everyone welcome! I should have put diet cola drinks in the thread title.

I’ve submitted an e-consult form to my GP’s so should hear back by 31st December

Feel better now I’ve done that. I think I’ve been trivialising it to myself by thinking ‘oh it’s only diet cola - it’s not a ‘real’ addiction but I’ve realised that I am addicted and do need some support to stop it.

I think part of the problem is that I’ve dismissed it because I view it as my only treat. I don’t drink or smoke and my diet is healthy so I think to myself why shouldn’t I have several cans of Pepsi max a day.

Had phone call with Dr. There is nothing that’s available to help withdrawal (I wasn’t expecting anything but did want to check).

So I’m going to try cutting out a can a day for a week and making sure I have sparkling water, fruit teas and coffee. Starting today.

Then cutting out another can the week after etc. I think I tried to reduce it too quickly when I tried twice before.

I successfully kicked my 2+Litres a day (for 25 years!) in November.

I did go cold turkey & the headaches were pretty awful for the 1st week but had completely subsided by day 12.

I have replaced with sparkling water and a small amount of squash as I don't drink hot drinks & still needed the fizz.

If I'm honest I don't feel any different- I may sleep a bit deeper but that's about it. However now I've broken free, I'm not going back as I'm sure my body will be benefitting even if it's not obvious.

Good luck to you all. You can do it!

demolition duo thanks so much for sharing your success - well done!

Can I ask, so you don’t have any caffeine at all now?

Also, did you find anything to help the headaches? Paracetamol for me just made me sick, although thinking back, it was probably because I didn’t take any until headache was at maximum

I started by reducing the amount I drank by a little each week as you plan to (subsituting for caffeine free fizzy pop) but still having equally spaced caffinated drinks through the day, if I didnt I could guarantee headaches would start.

The headache is caffeine withdrawal.

DH quit his 2 litre a day Pepsi Max addiction. His arthritis is loads loads loads better and he stopped craving lots of sugary crap so he lost weight too!

Planning to do the same once the household supply has gone!

I’m feeling positive after reading success stories here! I did reduce yesterday by one can as planned, no side effects so will continue with that for next 6 days

When you get to the end you are very likely to have a caffeine withdrawal headache.

I guess be prepared to have a hideous headache for possibly a couple of days

@NoZoomAtTheInn I'm not having any caffeine now. I did treat myself to a bottle of caffeine free Diet Coke and it was revolting so just sticking with water/squash.
I didn't find painkillers helped much with the withdrawal headaches so just had to see it through. Just make sure you keep the fluid intake up to flush out your system. Milk Thistle tablets can help cleanse your system a bit quicker.

I'm so glad I've found this thread! I'm on day one of no Pepsi Max.
I miss it.

I used to have it with my breakfast! Up to 4 or more a day...can of course!

When do the headaches go away?!

:(

Drink plenty of water. Could take 7-10 days for the headaches to go.

Oh dear! I need to do this.

I need to do this - my weakness is coke zero.

7-10 days? 😩 they're terrible, and last all day.
I'm going to need lots of willpower for this.

Are you getting caffeine elsewhere? I think it's a big ask to kick two habits at once- caffeine and Pepsi.

You could switch to a different fizzy drink, so you break the Pepsi habit and can cut down the volume of a drink you like less later.

Or you could have coffee instead, while you are cutting down, and reduce the coffee later.

@picklemewalnuts I actually don't drink any hot drinks and hate the smell and taste of coffee! So that's out. I'm only kicking the one caffeine habit and that's this Pepsi Max :(

Ive had a headache since 3am on and off. It's really annoying. I know it will get better, I'm counting down those 7-10 days!

Thanks for you responses and advice by the way :)

Can I join in? I’ve given up Diet Coke a few times in the past and would like to again. I’m going to taper down, as we have quite a bit in the house. I’m going to go for one a day, starting tomorrow.