Kimber,
My understanding is that they are mostly caffeine. The problem with caffeine is tolerance. Eventually you need a bigger and bigger dose to get the same effect and after a while you need that dose just to feel "normal," whatever that is. The problem of "I'm not worth a thing before coffee break." I take so many meds, the last thing I want is another confounding and confounded drug. Although I do indulge in my morning tea which has never had the effect of coffee and occasionally an actual cup of coffee, too. Decaf coffee has some caffeine as do many other products, to eat, to drink (particularly Mountain Dew) and also skin products like soap where you might not expect to find it. b.

Soap, that's interesting. I've now started drinking coffee again after stopping 25 years ago. I've found that it does help to give me that boost in the morning. I don't want to get hooked though, so only in the A.M. It helps me focus if I have a meeting that day. I'm also drinking more mineral water because it has calcium.
Be well,

After running, caffeine is my drug of choice. It has many benefits and is great for all kinds of self-medication. I would never do without my coffee! I only wish I could drink it in the afternoon. I never tried energy drinks though.

I have always loved caffeine. Coffee in the morning and hot or iced tea in the afternoon. I tried to cut back because of not sleeping well at night. I look forward to both times, because it really gives me a boost. I have always been afraid of the high dose caffeine in the energy drinks, it can cause other health issues.....like heart problems. Barbel

Some energy drinks have more caffeine etc than others, and I haven't had a redbull or monster, rockstar whatever. I would guess they contain some serious caffeine. I am almost tempted but dare not. Caffeine seems to raise my anxiety levels and my neuro says no also. Not really seeing the harm in me trying those redbulls etc once other than me liking it and it becoming a habit...plus I would think the latter may be more likely when those things give a crash and/or headaches.

Sobe has one energy drink with caffeine and I will drink a half bottle of that It has too much sugar though. Sometimes I have some tea for a caffeine boost.A little chocolate can help people out also having similar properties of caffeine.

Also, I stay away from Mountain Dew and most soft drinks. I used to drink a lot of mountain dew and stopped after MG, I had what I would consider a crisis after I had a lot one night post MG and busted my head open. Anyway, I would stay away from mountain dew.

V8 makes a great variety of smoothie drinks made w soy. Like strawberry banana and pine colada - sp. I like to put my drink in the freezer for a couple of hours; it's icey and delicious! It also gives me energy. barbel

Zip fizz is wonderful for me. While I wish it didn't have the dye in it. I love I can keep a tube of the powder with me and dump however much I want into my waterbottle. I can sip on it all day or chug it as quickly as quickly as my nasal regurgitation lets me. It is strong enough tasting I have actually crushed some mestinon into it to sip on all day. I always thought it was the high dose of B12 that made it feel so nice, don't think the caffeine level is as high as many of the other drinks. It has helped on many a rough day. I have always wondered if anyone else used it. I use it several days a week, I tried to factor the magnesium level into my diet, but does seem to be a problem compared to the benefit. Sometimes I even add the powder to my coffee . Some days you just have to find a way get done what has to happen.

Caffeine is my drug of choice, too, BUT tolerance is real and to be expected. You cannot use it everyday and get the same effect you did the first time you took it. You have to take more and more to get that effect.

This is not why you need more Mestinon, that has to do with disease progression; and as you get better, it is easy to decrease the amount. With caffeine, you get withdrawal, and do "need" it. It is one of those things that if you want the drug effect you can't take it often. I suppose to be more exact, I would have to say "or you have to be able to tolerate large quantities as you up the dose." b.