Laura's "Hot Mess" Challenge

[Hermione Gainser]

BIO

 

Since I'm setting up camp in an entirely new area this challenge I figured I'd delve into some background info. 

 

I've been with NF since 2011.  I've done countless challenges, made many health improvements, and learned a whole lot about lifting weights.  Previously, I've been fighter-boxing, dabbled in Muay Thai and an OMer-longterm love affair with yoga.  Currently, my fitness routine is a little hodge podge of bodyweight and weight work (we'll talk more about that below). 

 

I've also run the gamut on dietary lifestyles.  I spent the better part of 14 years as a vegetarian; some years were vegan, some pescatarian. I'm now (grudgingly) what one may consider paleo (we'll talk more about that below, too).  Oh, and I partake in intermittent fasting. 

Otherwise, I'm semi ranty and enjoy shenanigans of all sorts. 

 

Oh, and I have a thing for gifs.

 

I'M A HOT MESS

 

All that stuff we'd talk more about, yeah, here it is:

 

Issue 1: Injured Laura is injured.  I just don't know that much about it yet.  Something about disc degeneration in my cervical spine. Currently using chiropractic to treat it while I wait for my new doctor to become available.

 

So, lifting heavy is on the back burner for the time being.  I can still lift from time to time, but not as often. So, I've got a hodge podge of stuff set up. Currently, I'm trying to own the pistol squat. 

 

Issue: 2 This is the big one.  My body hates me. Or thinks I hate it and is fighting back? Not sure. I do know that I have anxiety and it's out of control. I also know that I'm not happy. At all.  And there isn't really a reason for that. And I know that I've been under intense stress for a very, very long time now (hmmm, funny how this all works together). 

 

So, in addition to the neck thing I've started to notice a lot of other issues.  I won't list them all but I suspect three things might be the issue:  1. Leaky gut (which sounds gross, yay), 2. An Autoimmune disease (specifically RA), and/or 3. Cortisol/Adrenal issues.

 

Before this challenge I was mostly a primal style eater. I didn't' bother to name my dietary choices, but that sums it up pretty well.  Now that my body is freaking the frak out, I'm starting an autoimmune protocol.  And I'm not that happy about it.

 

 

 

Which brings me to:

 

GOALS

 

This isn't going to be set up like NF recommends, but hey, I'm getting way out of my comfort zone here.

 

 

Mental Well-Being Goals:

Goal 1

Get help.  I've seeking professional help but I'm a slacker.  I'm not going to grade myself on finding the right person to help me since there's no telling how long that will take.  I am going to grade myself on how much effort I put in. 

1. Call or email nice lady who offered to help and ask for names
2. Call and set up appointment with someone on The List
3. If, after a few meetings, I deem this person isn't The One, call next person on The List within 3 days.
4. Rinse and repeat as necessary.

Goal 2

Guided meditation.  I tried alone style meditation before bed previously and that was an epic failure. I think something guided will be better. Also, not before bed. I think I'd like to get an app or something to use during walks (which I generally take during my "lunch" break).  Do this at least 4x per week.

 

Goal 3

Walk. Minimum of 20 minutes, twice per week at work, as many times as I want at home. 

 

Health Goals:

Goal 4

Cut back on coffee.  Coffee is a no-no in the AIP world, much to my chagrin. Generally, I drink 2 cups in the morning (black).  I do this for two reasons: 1. Caffeine, duh. and 2. It's helpful during a fast.

I'm going to slowly decrease my coffee intake and grade accordingly:

1. Week 1, one cup per day maximum.
2. Week 2, half cup per day maximum.

From here, I'm honestly not sure where I'll go. I thought about doing X number of days without coffee each week but I don't think that will work well. 

 

Also, depending on if this is AI or cortisol the future will vary.  Cortisol treatments generally recommend no caffeine, while AIP is okay with some caffeine but not COFFEE.  So, theoretically, I could add in green tea, which I miss desperately, but I become nauseated when I consume tea on an empty stomach (all kinds).  So, unless anyone knows a way to change that, I'm out of luck. 

 

So, I think, starting week 3, I might just go cold turkey.  We'll see. 

 

Goal 5

Eat for autoimmunity. This is helpful for anyone unfamiliar.

 

I rarely drink, or eat gluten as it is. I don't take NSAIDs unless it's an extreme situation. 

 

I do adore eggs and eat a ton of grassfed dairy and love me some nightshades. So, my heart is breaking just a little here.  These, along with spices, will be the hardest for me to give up.  I've already gone a week without dairy. It was annoying more than anything and I've pegged that as the easiest to get rid of. 

 

 

Okay, well this post was full of long, boring words and lacked my usual gif fest.  Not my best first impression, I'm sure But I promise for more fun at a later date.

 

I might add points later to 4 of the 5 goals if that's permissible. I haven't done a challenge in which I felt comfortable leveling up in a little while, but if this all goes well that might change.

[PrincessHeather]

Miss Laura, I admire you for taking on all this stuff this challenge. You are going to rock it!

[chairohkey]

Surprise! She's back.

 

[aj_rock]

Lauraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

 

Ok, I got a bit to say about your newest challenge. You might not like it.

 

 

Ready?

 

 

I think you might be trying to fix too many things at once. Oddly enough, putting too much on your plate is a direct contributor to at least two of the problems you wish to address, namely stress response and anxiety.

 

Honestly, I think concentrating primarily on the mental well-being goal would do you the most good. Some clarity of mind will a) make you feel hella better prepare you better to tackle the more complex problems.

 

I'm just saying, dealing with back problems, anxiety issues, possible hormone problems, and THEN also drastically altering your diet while causing your body to undergo caffeine withdrawal... 

It's all with good intentions, but even GOOD change requires an adjustment period, and going through 50 bazillion adjustments at once will not make you a happy camper. And we all want a happy camping Laura right?

[Max Power]

First off, I'd just like to tell the Druids that Laura is only on loan from the Warriors, she is far too awesome for us to give her up (unless she wanted to leave the warriors and never come back, then we'd all cry and lift something heavy).  

 

Laura:   Your goals are well thought out and pretty awesome.  I was sad about so many people giving up coffee for this challenge.  Then I realized that it just means more for me, so I'm happy again.  I'm excited to see how this challenge goes for you and I hope everything gets better soon!  Good luck!

 

I leave you with a gif of puppies.  

 

[The Tin Man]

You take care of yourself.

 

[Hermione Gainser]

Miss Laura, I admire you for taking on all this stuff this challenge. You are going to rock it!

 

D'awwwww, thanks!

 

Surprise! She's back.

 

 

Can't get rid of Laura. 

 

Lauraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

 

Ok, I got a bit to say about your newest challenge. You might not like it.

 

 

Ready?

 

 

I think you might be trying to fix too many things at once. Oddly enough, putting too much on your plate is a direct contributor to at least two of the problems you wish to address, namely stress response and anxiety.

 

Honestly, I think concentrating primarily on the mental well-being goal would do you the most good. Some clarity of mind will a) make you feel hella better prepare you better to tackle the more complex problems.

 

I'm just saying, dealing with back problems, anxiety issues, possible hormone problems, and THEN also drastically altering your diet while causing your body to undergo caffeine withdrawal... 

It's all with good intentions, but even GOOD change requires an adjustment period, and going through 50 bazillion adjustments at once will not make you a happy camper. And we all want a happy camping Laura right?

 

AJJJJJJJJJJJJ!

 

D'aww thanks being able to say it

 

I definitely get what you're saying.  And I have been known to do ALL THE THINGS.  Right now, I think this is all the stuff I can do.  Some of it is challenging, some of it isn't (for me, not objectively).  I'm hoping it'll just help me be more mindful.  So, I'm hopeful. 

 

The mental well-being stuff is numero uno.  Aside from being a decidedly unhappy Laura, it should help with all of the things I think may be plaguing me. You're totally right there. 

 

The coffee and the diet... the coffee is going to be rough. I hadn't actually thought of what the affects of caffeine withdrawal will be (other than a vague sense of being a little crabby)... good call, there.  I might just keep it at half a cup and see what happens. Do you think gradually working down to half a cup would be... ok?

 

Surprisingly, I'm not worried about the dietary changes.  I'm definitely really bummed but I've been slowly making them and kind of... throwing a tantrum about them... for a little while now (not here, obviously).  I think I'm ready to just do it.   So far, this week, I've batch cooked all AIP approved foods. Yay step 1!  But it still makes me sad. Sad, sad, Laura.

 

Though, you raise another good point (shocking, I know).  With my neck injuries on standby, I'm not sure what the next steps will be or if they'll throw a wrench in my plans. I anticipate an MRI soon. My chiro and I talked about it briefly but she didn't really clarify what possible next steps were from there (I asked about surgery), so who knows.  I can't wait to see that other doctor, damnit.

 

First off, I'd just like to tell the Druids that Laura is only on loan from the Warriors, she is far too awesome for us to give her up (unless she wanted to leave the warriors and never come back, then we'd all cry and lift something heavy).  

 

Laura:   Your goals are well thought out and pretty awesome.  I was sad about so many people giving up coffee for this challenge.  Then I realized that it just means more for me, so I'm happy again.  I'm excited to see how this challenge goes for you and I hope everything gets better soon!  Good luck!

 

I leave you with a gif of puppies.  

 

 

Thanks, Max.  I'll be bahk!

 

Oooh, I'll have to scope the others. I love coffee.  I never thought I'd give it up or try.  Lesson: never say never.

[PrincessHeather]

My mom will get migraines when she doens't have her morning coffee, and I've know others who feal nauseated (nauseous?) when they try to not have it, but its highly individual. You may be like me, where I only notice that I miss having it to start my morning but no discernible physical effects.

[Hermione Gainser]

You take care of yourself.

 

 

:D

 

My mom will get migraines when she doens't have her morning coffee, and I've know others who feal nauseated (nauseous?) when they try to not have it, but its highly individual. You may be like me, where I only notice that I miss having it to start my morning but no discernible physical effects.

 

Ha! The only time I've quit caffeine completely was when I had pneumonia.  It was accidental, but I couldn't tell what was caffeine withdrawal and what was pneumonia..   But, I also drank A LOT more then. 

[Blueberries]

First off, I'd just like to tell the Druids that Laura is only on loan from the Warriors, she is far too awesome for us to give her up (unless she wanted to leave the warriors and never come back, then we'd all cry and lift something heavy).

Don't worry, MP! I already made her promise that if she did this, she had to come back. She pinky swore, and we all know pinky swears can't be taken back.

------------

Okay, so on the coffee thing. That's one part that's killing me. I honestly thought about going cold-turkey before I realized how stupid that would be. Like you, I'm in the process of cutting back a little at a time. Hopefully I'll get to zero, but if I can get myself to just a little bit with coconut milk or coconut oil in it, I think I'll call that a victory.

Spill it! What kinds of things have you batch cooked? I'm struggling with not having ready-to-grab things.

Have you seen the AIP recipe list on her site? http://www.thepaleomom.com/aip-friendly

[The Tin Man]

Oh yeah also re: the coffee cutting back I'm in the same boat.  I get in the habit of drinking it because I can make delicious things with it.  I had some today, but it was 1/6 regular and 5/6 decaf.  The last time I stopped cold turkey I did it for 7 days to reset things.  Around days 2-3 I wanted to do so much murder.  Which only strengthened my resolve: it freaked me out a little that I became so dependent that my body was reacting like that.

[Max Power]

Oh yeah also re: the coffee cutting back I'm in the same boat.  I get in the habit of drinking it because I can make delicious things with it.  I had some today, but it was 1/6 regular and 5/6 decaf.  The last time I stopped cold turkey I did it for 7 days to reset things.  Around days 2-3 I wanted to do so much murder.  Which only strengthened my resolve: it freaked me out a little that I became so dependent that my body was reacting like that.

 

Ha, that's pretty appropriate for lack of coffee.  

 

I used to be in the same boat though.  I would stop drinking coffee about once every six weeks just to reset.  Now I've kind of come to the realization that if I come to a point in my life that I don't have coffee, I'll stop drinking it then.  Maybe I should add it to the challenge goal list... next time.  

[Thredith]

HI Laura and welcome to the Druids.  I am new around here but wanted to share my coffee experience.  I gave up coffe about 2 months ago.  I cut back slowly and started adding chai tea lattes to my morning.  But that was just a stepping stone.  After a while of that, I switched to just tea which I also love.  I wanted to cut back because I would get a headache on days I didn't have it.  I didn't like feeling dependent on it.  My next thing is going to be cutting back/out most sugar.  Same thing, I feel like I am dependent on it.  I am increasing my daily fruit intake to help with that.  I figure that will take a few weeks.  By the next challenge I may be ready to cut most sugar out.  Good luck with your other goals.  Anxiety is a tough one.

[bigm141414]

Sad Doctor is sad that you aren't in the Warriors

 

 

 

Take care of yo self. 

[Strawberry Squatcake]

Here's a funny story. My parents have always drank coffee in the mornings for as long as I can remember. With five dramatic Squatcakes in their lives, who can blame them? Then one time we went out of town to my aunt and uncle's who live in "The Sticks, KS" <-- that's a place, check out your map. OK, that's most of KS. 

 

Anyway, they'd switched to decaf and didn't think to tell her. By about 10AM they were calling everyone they knew to see if they drank coffee because my mom NEEDED it (strangely they had a hard time finding ANYONE - living in The Sticks, KS must be a more relaxed way of life? Again, don't blame her for needing it, but I think seeing that dependency always made me be all, "I'll never drink coffee." Of course, caffeine is caffeine, but looking back, it was interesting it affected my mom so much, but my dad was all, "I'll have some tomorrow." 

 

They lived happily ever after when they found someone with coffee. 

 

As for the rest for the rest of your challenge, good luck! 

[Hermione Gainser]

Don't worry, MP! I already made her promise that if she did this, she had to come back. She pinky swore, and we all know pinky swears can't be taken back.

------------

Okay, so on the coffee thing. That's one part that's killing me. I honestly thought about going cold-turkey before I realized how stupid that would be. Like you, I'm in the process of cutting back a little at a time. Hopefully I'll get to zero, but if I can get myself to just a little bit with coconut milk or coconut oil in it, I think I'll call that a victory.

Spill it! What kinds of things have you batch cooked? I'm struggling with not having ready-to-grab things.

Have you seen the AIP recipe list on her site? http://www.thepaleomom.com/aip-friendly

 

She totally did.

 

Coffee is one of my big comforts.  Remember when I told y'all I got that decaf coconut milk latte? Yeah, that was a comfort thing. So, it makes me sad. But, the reaction I had to it on Saturday (the details of which I shall withhold) was pretty unpleasant.  I'm thinking more and more it's a big problem. Ugh.

 

Well, I have that tomatoless meat sauce I linked you guys to.  It's the remnants of last week's.  It's tasty. I really like it. It doesn't taste quite like pasta sauce I'm used to making but it's defintiely got a good pasta-y vibe.  The key, imo, is the grassfed ground beef. I got a slightly fattier cut than normal and I'm glad.  The flavor the fat adds really rounds it out.  I tasted it before I added the meat and was a little bit skeptical.

 

Then I made sweet potato basil soup. Which is delicious.  Homemade bone broth in it, naturally.

 

Turkey tenders wrapped in bacon (from thepaleomom site!).  Though, is bacon ok? I feel like it shouldn't be because I love it. hahaha but it's pastured, uncured bacon sooo nom.

 

And I have some large cuts of salmon and swordfish at home for dinners this week. I haven't decided what to do with those yet.... 

 

Oh yeah also re: the coffee cutting back I'm in the same boat.  I get in the habit of drinking it because I can make delicious things with it.  I had some today, but it was 1/6 regular and 5/6 decaf.  The last time I stopped cold turkey I did it for 7 days to reset things.  Around days 2-3 I wanted to do so much murder.  Which only strengthened my resolve: it freaked me out a little that I became so dependent that my body was reacting like that.

 

HA! Yes. That's a little scary. hahaha  YES! that's the thing.. being dependent on it, is a biznatch. 

 

Ha, that's pretty appropriate for lack of coffee.  

 

I used to be in the same boat though.  I would stop drinking coffee about once every six weeks just to reset.  Now I've kind of come to the realization that if I come to a point in my life that I don't have coffee, I'll stop drinking it then.  Maybe I should add it to the challenge goal list... next time.  

 

I say, drink all the coffee.. and then some more in your fallen comrades' honor.

 

HI Laura and welcome to the Druids.  I am new around here but wanted to share my coffee experience.  I gave up coffe about 2 months ago.  I cut back slowly and started adding chai tea lattes to my morning.  But that was just a stepping stone.  After a while of that, I switched to just tea which I also love.  I wanted to cut back because I would get a headache on days I didn't have it.  I didn't like feeling dependent on it.  My next thing is going to be cutting back/out most sugar.  Same thing, I feel like I am dependent on it.  I am increasing my daily fruit intake to help with that.  I figure that will take a few weeks.  By the next challenge I may be ready to cut most sugar out.  Good luck with your other goals.  Anxiety is a tough one.

 

Hi! Thanks! And welcome to the community!  

 

Thanks for sharing your experience. The stepping stones are a good plan, I think. I'm hoping I'll find some that might work with my situation!

 

Sugar, I think, is harder than caffeine.  Sugar comes in so many places. Sneaky! Over the last month I've drastically decreased my sugar intake, too.  I found it easier, when I was aiming for lower carb, to avoid them at all costs since they'd spike the insulin and leave me wanting more.  Fruit is better than most.  Hopefully, by removing one or two things periodically you'll end up with the sugar beast off your back in no time!

 

Ugh. Yes. Anxiety is the devil.

 

Sad Doctor is sad that you aren't in the Warriors

 

 

 

Take care of yo self. 

 

See! See what happens when Warriors switch guilds? Such a weird feeling.. full of confusion and anger at hte world   Or, not so much anger.

[PrincessHeather]

I can't imagine that pastured, uncured bacon would cause any AI reactions, since the ingredients should be pork and maybe sea salt? It *could* be an issue with iodized salt, but only because that's processed and such, thought that's just conjecture.

[IfItPlugsIn]

Just dropping in to say good luck! 

 

Caffeine withdrawal can range from a slight headache to "feeling like you're going to die" flu symptoms.  My mom used to drink 6-8 cans of soda per day.  Went cold-turkey and "got the flu."  Put 2 and 2 together after a few days, drank half a can of soda, and felt better.  She never did completely give it up.  If coffee is a comfort thing and not necessarily about the caffeine, check out Teaccino.

 

With diet, I think you have to be drastic, if you're expecting any healing results.

 

I really hope the professional help is what you need.  Sad friends make me feel sad too...  Take care!

[weirdquark]

I have some non-tomato, non-dairy sauc ideas! No recipes, because that's not how we roll, but my roommate has made some excellent mushroom "cream" sauces where you cook up some onions and then simmer mushrooms in almond milk. I think the only spices that get added are a little bit of salt and pepper, but it's been a while. For that matter, you can probably make a pretty good primavera (throw in whatever veggies you can eat) with almond milk, not just mushrooms. We also made a great sauce with ground meat of some kind and peas. Add really good olive oil (not in the sauce, because the heat kills the flavor, just add on top of the pasta when serving) and everything is awesome. Panchetta (can sub bacon, but it's somehow not as good) and onion also makes a great sauce - you usually add tomato sauce but it's good with olive oil instead.

[livingroovy]

I just learned so many things from your challenge thread. Wow.

 

Welcome to the Druids! Whether it is just on loan or not, so glad to have you. Sounds like you have a lot happening, and I love the way you have it set up to create a better life for yourself. Looking forward to cheering you on!!

[Hermione Gainser]

Have you seen the AIP recipe list on her site? http://www.thepaleomom.com/aip-friendly

 

I forgot to respond to this part of the post!  I didn't see it! But I've been perusing it since youp osted it. I love that I linked you to one post and you are now lightyears ahead of me in terms of research.  We're calling that nerd win

 

Here's a funny story. My parents have always drank coffee in the mornings for as long as I can remember. With five dramatic Squatcakes in their lives, who can blame them? Then one time we went out of town to my aunt and uncle's who live in "The Sticks, KS" <-- that's a place, check out your map. OK, that's most of KS. 

 

Anyway, they'd switched to decaf and didn't think to tell her. By about 10AM they were calling everyone they knew to see if they drank coffee because my mom NEEDED it (strangely they had a hard time finding ANYONE - living in The Sticks, KS must be a more relaxed way of life? Again, don't blame her for needing it, but I think seeing that dependency always made me be all, "I'll never drink coffee." Of course, caffeine is caffeine, but looking back, it was interesting it affected my mom so much, but my dad was all, "I'll have some tomorrow." 

 

They lived happily ever after when they found someone with coffee. 

 

As for the rest for the rest of your challenge, good luck! 

 

WOW. That is some intense need.  haha but happily ever after is good.

 

I can't imagine that pastured, uncured bacon would cause any AI reactions, since the ingredients should be pork and maybe sea salt? It *could* be an issue with iodized salt, but only because that's processed and such, thought that's just conjecture.

 

Further perusal says it's okay.  Hooray!

 

Just dropping in to say good luck! 

 

Caffeine withdrawal can range from a slight headache to "feeling like you're going to die" flu symptoms.  My mom used to drink 6-8 cans of soda per day.  Went cold-turkey and "got the flu."  Put 2 and 2 together after a few days, drank half a can of soda, and felt better.  She never did completely give it up.  If coffee is a comfort thing and not necessarily about the caffeine, check out Teaccino.

 

With diet, I think you have to be drastic, if you're expecting any healing results.

 

I really hope the professional help is what you need.  Sad friends make me feel sad too...  Take care!

 

Thanks!

 

So far, drinking less coffee is ok. No real change.  So, I might just stick with that. I guess I'll feel out the rest of the dietary changes and see what's what.

 

I'm very much a JUST DO IT kind of person. I kind of go balls to the wall when I make a decision. I do whine and moan initially, but I like to just get stuff over with.  So, definitely going drastic.  I've made my peace and, honestly, don't really feel that bad about it.  I mean, it's annoying more than anything. But no biggie.

 

Thanks! Me too. It's hard to find the right person.  I'm special level of crazy

 

 

I have some non-tomato, non-dairy sauc ideas! No recipes, because that's not how we roll, but my roommate has made some excellent mushroom "cream" sauces where you cook up some onions and then simmer mushrooms in almond milk. I think the only spices that get added are a little bit of salt and pepper, but it's been a while. For that matter, you can probably make a pretty good primavera (throw in whatever veggies you can eat) with almond milk, not just mushrooms. We also made a great sauce with ground meat of some kind and peas. Add really good olive oil (not in the sauce, because the heat kills the flavor, just add on top of the pasta when serving) and everything is awesome. Panchetta (can sub bacon, but it's somehow not as good) and onion also makes a great sauce - you usually add tomato sauce but it's good with olive oil instead.

 

Yum! No almond milk, sadly, but I feel like coconut milk would work wonderfully here.. especially with that mushroom sauce. nomnomnom.  I never think about white sauces.  I'm so glad you posted it! This has my wheels a turnin'

 

I just learned so many things from your challenge thread. Wow.

 

Welcome to the Druids! Whether it is just on loan or not, so glad to have you. Sounds like you have a lot happening, and I love the way you have it set up to create a better life for yourself. Looking forward to cheering you on!!

 

Yay!

 

Thank you!! 

 

***

Challenge Days 1 & 2 (so far)

 

Coffee: 1/2 cup on day 1; 1 cup day 2

 

Meditation: Not officially meditation BUT I'm counting it.  What I did:  Shut off laptop, shunned checking FB on my phone, loaded up Yo Yo Ma pandora and did some restorative yoga. Spent a good while in each pose.  Felt super relaxed and peaceful afterwards. Huzzah!

 

Walk: Walked a good 30 minutes.

 

Get Help: Not yet.

[nightlight]

for guided meditation, i like the headspace app.

[aj_rock]

Geez, I check this once a day and 50 bajillin responses come up!

 

Withdrawal symptoms, IME, end up being worst when a) cutting back drastic amounts and when the caffeine is solving some underlying problem. Common lesser known things caffeine will do besides wake you up are:

 

- increases circulating levels of serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine. This can mask symptoms of depression, so cutting coffee can make you sad for physiological reasons, not just WAH WANT COFFEE reasons

 

- reduces adenosine bonding by competing for bonding sites, making it more available for ATP synthesis and reducing it's blood pressure  increasing effects. This can mask poor cardio fitness and blood pressure problems, which can come out in the form of headaches

 

So yeah, removing these effects really fast can cause these sorts of symptoms, and if they masked underlying problems, they might not go away.

[Morrigainz]

Geez, I check this once a day and 50 bajillin responses come up!

 

Withdrawal symptoms, IME, end up being worst when a) cutting back drastic amounts and when the caffeine is solving some underlying problem. Common lesser known things caffeine will do besides wake you up are:

 

- increases circulating levels of serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine. This can mask symptoms of depression, so cutting coffee can make you sad for physiological reasons, not just WAH WANT COFFEE reasons

 

- reduces adenosine bonding by competing for bonding sites, making it more available for ATP synthesis and reducing it's blood pressure  increasing effects. This can mask poor cardio fitness and blood pressure problems, which can come out in the form of headaches

 

So yeah, removing these effects really fast can cause these sorts of symptoms, and if they masked underlying problems, they might not go away.

Fascinating. So I could be self-medicating with coffee? I like it! (Sort of.)

 

Anyway Laura I'll be watching this challenge! Wishing you SO much luck with the coffee. I'm thinking I need to cut back a little...but it's difficult.

[Hermione Gainser]

Geez, I check this once a day and 50 bajillin responses come up!

 

Withdrawal symptoms, IME, end up being worst when a) cutting back drastic amounts and when the caffeine is solving some underlying problem. Common lesser known things caffeine will do besides wake you up are:

 

- increases circulating levels of serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine. This can mask symptoms of depression, so cutting coffee can make you sad for physiological reasons, not just WAH WANT COFFEE reasons

 

- reduces adenosine bonding by competing for bonding sites, making it more available for ATP synthesis and reducing it's blood pressure  increasing effects. This can mask poor cardio fitness and blood pressure problems, which can come out in the form of headaches

 

So yeah, removing these effects really fast can cause these sorts of symptoms, and if they masked underlying problems, they might not go away.

 

Hahaha oh come on, AJ. This isn't your first rodeo.

 

Wow, that's pretty intense.

 

The good: I don't drink that much so decreasing some should be ok.  I'll stick to 1 cup for now, and see what happens.  Probably not going to jump off the wagon quite yet.

The bad: now I'm paranoid that I might have blood pressure problems hahahaha   (probably not)

 

No need to fuel the sads, right?

 

Solid.

 

Fascinating. So I could be self-medicating with coffee? I like it! (Sort of.)

 

Anyway Laura I'll be watching this challenge! Wishing you SO much luck with the coffee. I'm thinking I need to cut back a little...but it's difficult.

 

yay!! Thanks Mir!