Hi! Happy to add my response to this. I MISS MY COFFEE!!

I found that coffee, soda or any kind stimulant just doesn't work with my CFIDLY body. It's like, my body is dead, and I'm putting something in it that says "GO". And I can't! So my reaction is one of anxiety and heart racing, etc.

I also can't take any OTC meds that cause that feeling of "energy". Energy would be lovely, but my body translates that "boost" feeling, as absolute panic and again, the heart racing and such.

It is surely possible that after all these years, and with no break from caffeine, that your metabolism has not changed in this particular regard, and you are fortunate about that.

Just wondering, can you take other stimulants? Like OTC coldl products?? They cause me horrible problems.

I've always hated coffee and cola and only started to drink tea late in life, so had no caffeine intake to speak of. Then one day I accidentally bought a drink with guarana in it... Hoooo boy! I felt like my whole body was vibrating and my eyes nearly popping out of my head. I absolutely hated it.

Yes, Darla, I feel very fortunate to be able to drink coffee. For the most part, I have no problems with supplements & most meds. Some I react badly to & can't take them, I get shaky & nauseous & my heart races. As far as cold meds, I don't know because since I have gotten CFS I have never had a cold or the flu, going on 10 years. Everyone says I have a super immune system because everyone else will get the flu but me. I never used to be this way, I caught a cold at least twice a year & every flu that went around, not anymore. Another mystery. Hugs, Denise

I can't do caffeine as it pumps up my adrenaline, but if you can have it and enjoy it then go for it. We have to give up so much...it's important to have things you can savour and enjoy.

I drink two cups of coffee a day. I know I shouldn't. It makes me shake funny. I really need to stop doing it, but sometimes I'm just so tired that I give in to the temptation to maybe get a shot of energy. But the shaking is not good and I know that. I should be a good little girl and give it up. Much love.

We are all so different, aren't we? I drink a large coffee every morning and love it. No shakiness or other bad. I wake up groggy and have to take about two hours of quiet time to get my brain to work. The coffee helps that a little. So does playing Spider Solitaire ;-). I also take a stimulant prescribed by my doctor. Without it I would be 3/4 dead and bedridden. I have taken it for 15 years and have been able to reduce the dose quite a bit, but still need it.
Maybe these fundamental differences suggest this is really different illnesses lumped together. That we (the doctors/researchers) know so little about what is going on.

I kept myself going with caffeinated tea and pepsi for years. (dislike most coffee). Then I got chronic gastritis and now its only herbal teas for me. My afternoon thyroid med is usually enough to carry me through the day but on the really rough ones I will take an excedrin,
then at least the caffeine hits in my small intestine and doesn't cause me so much pain. It does make me shaky, ND says most of us have adrenal fatigue and caffeine is something they can no longer handle well, which is why we get the shakes. I do miss that lovely chai from dunkin donuts...

Who was it that sang that song "Shakin all over" ?. That's exactly what coffee does to my delicate little adrenal glands However occasionally I do get tempted to just have that one cappuccino and pretend that I can handle it.After I drink it I very quickly suffer with shaking and palpitations and my already limited energy takes an extra nose dive Of course I promise myself that I will NEVER do it again.So it is a yum, shake, palpitate, and crash experience for me.Exciting hey lol!
Adrenal fatigue and coffee are not a recommended combo and yes I need my head read.

I drink a cup a day. Sometimes I'll skip a day or few. I feel a pick me up, but really, just a little sharper. Helps my thinking and mood, but not much energy wise. Any more causes nausea.

I use a Ritalin patch some days, but less so lately. Can't do that every day.

I'm with the others here who have adrenal fatigue and get
shaky and jittery from drinking coffee/caffeine. I still love the
smell of it and last month when the weather got cold, I had
some coffee but filled the cup with 1/2 almond milk. It
satisfied my taste. Mainly, I drink herbal teas now.
When I realized that I had some gastritis and acid
reflex, I cut back and it made a big difference. I went through
a
chai tea phase for two years and then stopped with that.
Good you have a strong system that can tolerate it.
Some reports say it;s beneficial for your health. Yes, for
certain we're all different.

I can have a coffee in the morning without any ill effects but I absolutely can't have any during the day or afternoon or I'm a jittery mess and can't sleep at night.

I don't know how I would get through the day without coffee. Sometimes I try to not drink it when I am feeling the need and it just doesn't work....I can barely move. It doesn't overstimulate me, it just helps me get through the day and evening. I have no trouble sleeping even if I drink it before bed. Funny thing is some vitamins will cause me to have sleep disruptions but not coffee.

Thank you all for your comments & insight. I am wondering if the fact that my adrenal glands are fine & I don't have a problem with them is the answer. Quite an interesting idea, I am so happy that I can have my coffee with no side effects. This is something I would like to look into further. I have a friend who has adrenal failure & it has limited a lot of what she can have. When I had my soy allergy, one of the symptoms was a rush of adrenalin that made me really sick & shaky but after staying away from soy for several years I can have it again & it doesn't cause the adrenalin rush. For those of you who have adrenalin fatigue, I am sorry that you have to deal with this too. What a terrible illness this is, we are all so different as many have said. Hugs, Denise

I suffer with very bad school sore like infection on my face an skin. I have had to stop with coffee. Not so much instant but the perk stuff an the machine stuff. I enjoy coffee i have never had any effects from caffeine. But giving it up an turning to green tea organic might help my skin condition that ive suffered with most of my life. Im 47.

Skinnybinny: I LOVE your avatar! :-D

Count me as one of the same; I have two cups of coffee every morning during my 2-hour-come-to-full-consciousness wake-up time and it doesn't bother me. Later in the day is a different story, so I'm done with coffee by 10am.

But I've been fortunate that way; hardly anything affects me negatively (except for unfermented soy) and I don't have gastritis or IBS or anything like that. I'm always conscious of and grateful for that blessing, since I know so many of us struggle with that; sometimes I almost feel guilty that I don't have to deal with that. But guilt: THERE'S a waste of energy.

Love to All, Jack