I am trying to wean off caffeine on my doctors recommendation. So far I am down to less than 10% of what I was drinking with no real improvement. I do feel more fatigue but the doctor says that is normal and will improve after I get off it completely. I do have less stomach pain so I guess that is a help. I am drinking about 3 oz of coffee in the morning and I really miss it.

yetagain... is the stomach pain part of your fibro? I have no digestive symptoms myself.

I went completely off caffeine for over 6 months & noticed no real difference pain wise. However, soda is high in sodium & causes water retention. If weight is at all a factor for you it is best to avoid it. Also since it is a stimulant if you any sleep problems it should be avoided. I hope this helps.

I have given up coffee before did not see a difference....but it was not that long.

I am gluten and dairy intolerant and can have no cane sugar, add a few other allergies and I am limited. Can't even enjoy a glass of wine. I make a cold pressed coffee which is low acid and put rice milk in it. I feel it is one of the pleasures I can have and I am not giving it up.

lalaB

I have given up a lot of things due to Fibro, Sjogrens CVID, etc...
However, I absolutely, positively, will never, ever, give up my one cup of instant coffee with non-dairy hazelnut creamer no matter what any doctor tells me!
No alcohol, no cigarettes, and now no coffee? To heck with that!
Coffee is my last vice and I'm holding on tight to it :)

I had to give up all caffeine because of my sleep problems, It helped me. Never was a coffee drinker, put I do love my tea. I drink de-caf now. I also notice sweets (sugar) will make my fibro pain wrose and also have more stomach pains too.

I'm not going to be very helpful, but I will tell you that my neurologist told me about 5 years ago to stop drinking caffeine due to my chronic migraines. I was drinking at least 3-4 Dr Peppers a day. So I gave those up, except I had to have some sort of caffeine and have fallen in love with McDonalds sweet teas. I drink one a day and that's it. I can tell you I immediately dropped weight (altho I'm a yo-yo when it comes to weight thanks to the fibro) and the migraines weren't nearly as frequent.

Like what LuLu said, I (we all) have already given up so much for this disease, there are things I refuse to give up, like my morning tea. :)

"Does caffine make my fibromyalgia symptoms worse?"



This question was answered by Richard Podell, M.D., M.P.H., an experienced fibro clinician in NJ.



I don't suspect that caffeine is generally bad, unless it triggers anxiety and/or muscle tension, which it can in susceptible people. In that case, it would increase muscle pain. Of course, caffeine stimulation can also disrupt sleep quality and cause GI upset.



Caffeine may cause a partial withdrawal response in people who consume a lot of it in their coffee to jump-start their day. The body's withdrawal response later in the day can produce headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, and other symptoms. Most people who are addicted to caffeine are drinking 3+ cups of coffee a day, but I've seen withdrawal symptoms on just one cup a day.



To determine if the caffeine is causing or exacerbating the symptoms of fibro and CFS, I have the patient (if they are willing) taper off caffeine and stay off of it for four weeks. A fair number develop increased symptoms within 24-48 hours--usually increased fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches. If so, this is a good sign. Within one week, they will be at least as well as before they stopped, and within a few weeks they will almost always feel improved. This maneuver is particularly important for those people who do not have FM/CFS, but who think they do because their chronic caffeine partial withdrawal can mimic these conditions. Those who have FM and CFS will also find an improvement in their symptoms, but the underlying disease remains.

Good article. Like others, I've given it up and seen no difference.

I love my coffee so I'm grateful it's not a factor.

I need coffee, but as directed, did cut down use.

I can not give my one diet coke in the morning. It kick starts my day. The rest of the day is water or crystal light or propel.

I recently stopped drinking coffee. I can't tell any difference. But I can sure tell when I drink a soda.....I hurt more every time.

Never have been a coffee or tea (or hot beverages in general) drinker, though I've tried coffee on and off because I love the smell of it!

I don't drink pop except for a Vernor's maybe once every six months.

What I do do, however, is take one little solitary caffeine tablet every morning. It's 200 mg, the equivalent of one cup of coffee. It keeps my migraines away.

I've not tried discontinuing my caffeine intake, so I don't know whether it would make a difference in my pain level, but I can't imagine that little bit would wreak so much havoc in my body!

Oh, and I don't consume caffeine other ways either--no chocolate, for example. Talk about getting migraines!

Lamb

Me plus no coffee equals very unhappy lady. I've given up sugar, processed foods, gluten, red meat and dairy. This disease.and ms is taking away my.movement and causing me pain. I actually did try it and it didn't work, so It's the one thing I'm not giving up.

I was totally off caffeine for about a year and found I felt better. Recently I had my meds change and I am so tired in the morning that I have to have a cup of coffee to wait up. I still feel good, but yes I have really reduced my caffeine intake. I have also increased my water intake and fresh fruits.